Potty Training

I've been wanting to write this post for awhile now, but held off just in case what I was experiencing was a fluke.  Well, it wasn't a fluke and in fact, Elliana is potty training herself.  You may remember this post from July when Elliana had started to tell me as soon as she went poo-poo.  Well, that quickly progressed into telling me before she went poo-poo and running to use the bathroom.  I had never sat her on a potty or explained any aspect of potty-training to her (17 months old at the time). Honestly, I felt like I just finished potty training Noah (though it's been 8 months!!).  Well, apparently she was ready and decided to take matters into her own hands.  I couldn't believe the first time that she told me she had to go poo-poo and proceeded to run to the bathroom.  Really?  You're going to go potty?  I put her on the potty and sure enough, she went.  It started as 3-4 times a week and has progressed to about 3 times a day.  I'm letting her take it at her own pace...not forcing anything on her, not bothered at all when she goes in her diaper, but praising her when she does use the potty.  She is my very independent little girl, wanting to do everything by herself.  I must admit, I don't mind her potty training herself...what a nice surprise!

Apple Picking

Getting ready to pick some apples!

We loved taking little detours along the way...so fun!

Tim and Noah did a great job picking the apples

Elliana had so much fun!

We LOVE Tim and Amanda!

Elliana couldn't wait to eat an apple

He did a great job picking!

We were all very tired...

sooooo tired

pretending to be tired. :)

We came home, took naps and made some delicious apple crisp with our fresh picked apples.  DELICIOUS!  The kids and I actually went back up to the apple farm for a fun picnic this afternoon and picked up some more apples.  I guess I'll have to make some Holiday Morning French Toast  tomorrow!

Fall Reunion

Every year our church has an all church "fall reunion". We all go up to Forest Home and spend the afternoon/evening playing on the lakeshore, canoeing, blobing, zip-lining, eating, chatting and watching baptisms. I love it. Yesterday we had so much fun being up in the mountains, just relaxing and spending time together. Here are a couple pictures my friend snapped of Hylke and Noah on the canoe.

Lake Arrowhead

Today the kids and I spent the morning up in Lake Arrowhead with my good friend, Michelle and her adorable daughters, Meleah and Sydney. Sydney and Noah are great friends and have so much fun together. They are two peas in a pod for sure! We had so much fun watching the kids feed the ducks, go on some carnival rides, eat candy, and just have fun. Here are some pictures capturing our time (thanks for taking these, Michelle!).

Elliana wanted to taste the food before giving it to the ducks :)

Such good friends
Swings!