Fall Fun...the LONGEST post ever!

Our little man with his big boy backpack...

 Go Bears!!!!!

 A little fun on the playset

 Fangs...don't worry all he wants for his 1st birthday is his 2 front teeth...and they are coming in!

 Craft time

 Grandma and Grandpa Jefford were in town visiting before they headed off to sunny Florida...so we all headed to the Long Grove Apple Fest...

 Dance, Dance, Dance, Dancin' Machine

 Brayden LOVED this slide...and yep, he did it all by himself (a few times)

 The ducks

 Brayden got a few early birthday gifts...these were a personal favorite John Deere jammies!

 Oh Marshall...

 Our loves...

 The leaves are falling...so of course our helpers needed to help daddy!

 Hmmm....while big brother is playing in the leaves...I will play with the other toys...

 Almost blew away from the wind

 Pumpkin Patch time!

 A HUGE pot belly pig mommy

 Marshall HATED the camels...each time we would step close to them, TEARS and screaming would come

 This is as close as he would get to the pumpkin...

 Ready for the hayride...

 How do you choose just one?!?!?!

 All this fall fun...it is just exhausting!!!!

Fall...school and apples!

Last Tuesday was a BIG day around here...Brayden started preschool!  He is in an early 3's program at Maple Park through our park district here in Palatine.  He was SO excited to go!  Here he is getting measured on our milestone wall

 The little guy is always close by :)

 SMILE!

 Before we went to preschool, we took the boys out to breakfast at our favorite little place...Grammy D's.  The first day, Aaron and I got to go with Brayden to school...it was like a mock day...so we just went for an hour and ran through what a typical day would be. He had a little bit of a hard time...there was a few times that he tugged for us to be sure we were close...but I am pretty sure that I had the most tears of the day....I just cannot believe that our baby is in school!  Time sure goes fast...I am excited for him and LOVE watching him grow...but I also love having him by small and cuddle!

 He was not completely sold on Tuesday...and then Thursday when I dropped him off by himself, he cried pretty hard...(but so did I)!  I am so excited for him...I know that he will LOVE it...I actually already knows that he does, because he has been playing preschool at home!  It is so cute...he reads us books, writes on his easel, teaches us letters and sings us songs---Marshall is not always an attentive student...but we have fun!

Today--we needed to celebrate the start of fall with apple picking!  We went to a small family owned apple orchard and had a great time...and came home with a peck of apples, so I guess mom needs to get baking!

Labor Day weekend!

Just a typical morning, before school...the small fry and big cheese...and yes Brayden wore that fleece penguin hat the whole day in 90 degree weather!

 Over Labor day weekend, we headed out to Dixon to visit the family.  We had a great time...here are some photos

 Marshall has been sorting shapes, staking those rings....and right after this picture...took his first 2 steps!!!! He has taken a few here and there...but is still not sure about the whole walking thing...

 Relaxin

 Marshall first time trying the famous Cincinnati chili...

 Everyone's bellies are full and happy...

 The aftermath of Cincinnati chili and applesauce...he LOVED every bite...and I guess he was trying to save some for later!

 Loving on Great Grandma---Gigi

 Who knew Wheel barrow rides could be SO enjoyable...the kids just loved it!

 The boys are getting geared up for the game on Sunday....Go Bears!!!!