Fall...my favorite season

Here are some pics from a church picnic.  We had a great time.  The kids made apple juice from the apple press shown in the picture...it is dated 1885.  Everything is original on it other than the legs.  The juice was so good.  We are all doing fine and I will post some more pics from our trip to Pittsburgh next time.  Sydney is doing great...she is talking more and is really like the word "NO"  She almost has all 4 molars in and has been very picky lately about what she eats.  I am not sure if it is her teeth or what.  Feeding her has become a challenge... that is a shocker because she would eat everything before.  She also has become difficult with sleeping...waking up at night more and refusing sleep...especially naps.  I have tried to let her cry it out...but she does not stop.  She also is starting to get a little more clingy again with me and actually cuddles more (I like that ).  She is going through a change I guess.  The boys are doing good...keeping busy with school and activities.  I can't keep up with them.  They are having a Halloween party here...which means a houseful of boys....but really not different from any other weekend.  

                       One new thing...I am taking Sydney to gymnastics once a week.  I cannot believe I am admitting this on a blog.  I know she is only 18 months old, but I wanted her to have a chance to run around with other kids her age and play.  She is constantly with me and I thought it would be good for her.  I did not know what to expect from the class or her but she did great.  She did not hang on me and tried out all the stuff.  She does need to learn to take turns.  She has no concept of that.  Also she pushed kids off of the stuff she wanted, not good.  That could be for several reasons: 1. She is spoiled at home and gets what she wants.  2. her brothers wrestle with her and let her hit them(playing). 3.  Or she is 18 mos old and that is what they do.  Probably a combination of those things but we will try working on them.   But all in all she did well and I saw a lot of the kids her age actually doing the things and not just running around so after some time I think she will catch on. 

Florida Pics

We had a great time in Florida. My mom got to see her sister and Sydney did great on the flights. Bad thing is she does not like the beach too much. I did get a few pics of her when she actually did play a little, but for the most part she wanted held. I hope next time she will do better. We found an octopus (small) and I took a picture of that...it was actually hiding in one of the shells we got....I rescued him and put him back in the water....never saw one at the beach before. I love a vacation but it is always good to get home. I missed Tom and the boys, but this was mainly a vacation for my Mom so she could see the beach again and get to be with her sister. We keep trying to bribe the boys into going to the beach for Christmas and skip on presents....they are not all in agreement. I am not sure how hot it would be in Dec. but I would like to go to Sanibel Island ...we took the kids a year and a half ago and it was great. I cant believe a year ago we were on our way to Vietnam at this time ...Wow, how time flies. I miss Vietnam...I really enjoyed it and what a beautiful baby girl we have. We cannot imagine life without her. October 2nd is when we first held her. We have been so blessed with all of our children.