Ren Fest in photos

Ren Fest 2013 is in th ebooks. We gave the kids costumes at Christmas. They have not forgotten our promise to take them this year. This past weekend we headed south and dressed up and enjoyed a day without cell phones and computers! We took a ton of pictures but it is a really neat experience and the kids wanted a lot of pictures up so they could show their teachers! so here you go a photo heavy post!

As we entered 2 fairies were offering to twirl a jump rope. Makayla was all game, the others did not even try. She did great!

A multitude of fairies and princesses wander and greet everyone, they are all more than happy to get their picture taken!

Once again Brie has a million faces and they just crack me up. I thought I would share a couple!

See what I mean the fairies go on forever! Our girls were in heaven!

The ladies also participated in a princesses crowning and parade! Brie was a bit confused but still loved it!
Makayla and Brie joined in a May Pole dance, once again Makayla was a great sport and Brie was an excellent take a long.
A close up of Mags, quietly sweet.

A lot of the pictures I find just pretty. Watching from afar and capturing some on the endearing moments.
There was a costume contest and we thought PJ would do ok, unfortunately he became quiet and shy on stage but Brie took 2nd place for the bashful princess part, the crowd really liked her but the elf ended up winning. 
The kids are always fascinated with rocks, there was a dinosaur egg cracking exhibit that they totally loved! I think they would have sat there all day watching.

This weekend was a fairy house building contest. We walked thru about 100 entries! There were some very cute ideas and Makayla may try to make one for 4H. Another sweet soft profile picture of Makayla.
PJ was completely excited by all the weapons. This vendor was kind enough to let PJ hold one!

Again more fun moments captured without the perfect smile looking straight at the camera.

This year they had mermaids as well. Even one in a tank that collected pearls off the bottom and gave one to each kiddo. My kids were amazed!

Again more just random shots taken throughout the day. Another Brie classic! Note on Maggie, this is her cheek with the angel kiss, while it is still there it has faded a lot. I catch her rubbing her cheek a lot lately so I wonder if it is getting ready to disappear completely.

Everyone was ready to be back to the hotel to swim and then relax in the room. While the hotel was fun and a different experience for the kids it not something they want to repeat again too soon.  The kids are still talking about the festival and how fun it was so I think a good time was had by all.

apple orchard

 We had a free Sunday and ceased the moment and headed to a favorite apple orchard of ours. A hay-rake ride led us to our favorite honey-crisp apple trees. We spent a fun 90 minutes searching for just the perfect picks!

 Who needs a ladder for apple picking when you have a strong daddy and lightweight 4  year old. Just shove her up to the opt of the tree and there you go!
Brie was a pro at twisting and pulling the apples off!

 Makayla really just does not take a bad picture, she is always so good at just giving you a good smile and putting up with a camera in her face!

 Maggie had to figure out how to eat an apple with only 1 and 1/2 front teeth.

 Who knows about Brie here, she has so many faces.

 These two just really are entertaining together. They really are two peas in a pod! Brie is always PJ's wingman, following suit right after him. They are quite funny after not being together for a few hours or more, they just jabber back and forth constantly. (one of those private moments between them that make me smile!)

It is a good thing Pete is strong as we found many "perfect" apples! He had a very heavy box to tote around.
After all the hard work of apple picking we had a snack of fresh kettle corn! 

 

Prior to leaving the kids had to chase a few butterflies around the butterfly gardens! Not sure what it is about insects but all four of my kiddos LOVE them!! Another successful outing for this family of six!

PJ and Brie are off to school

PJ and Brie on their way out to the first day of school. PJ is thrilled and cannot contain his excitement to give me a nice smile. Brie on the other hand must of had a wrinkle in her sock or something, I honestly cannot remember now what her malfunction was that particular morning. So I told her to turn around so I could get a cute picture and I took one of her backpack!

As you can see by the time we hit school all was right with the world and Brie, she was happy as can be to be back! PJ was a bit confused about being in the big guy room, but was more than happy to hang there with them.

 This was a picture of the two as next year PJ will join the big girls and Brie will be the only one at St. Pauls. They are doing great and loving school. We really could not have a better fit for the kiddos! We love the teachers and everything about their preschool!

Labor Day fun

Labor Day was spent with Pete's family at the Fall Fun Festival. Pete was also celebrating his 20 year class reunion. We got in many snuggles with Granny and Pop as well as many good times with cousins. Friday night was the football game, it was fun watching a team Pete played for in high school, we felt a bit younger for the night in a way.

A good portion of Saturday afternoon as well as again on Sunday was spent riding the various rides that the festival had to offer. Beth, Maggie, and Makayla had a wild time on the scrambler! 

 Makayla and Beth were buddies on this crazy ride that took them up to the sky and would twirl them around.

Brie was content to ride the boat over and over with Delia and the boys!


















Auntie Leigh Ann and Uncle Dave were so kind to indulge the kids in an overnight slumber party. All the cousins had a fantastic time! (I am still hearing about the sleepover and how fun it was!) a BIG THANK YOU to Leigh Ann and Dave for hosting the kids!

 The girls were taught how to play poker and LOVED it! they continue to play poker here at home often!

We even were able to pull off and ice cream birthday cake surprise for Uncle Sean who had a birthday coming! Our departure morning consisted of Duncan Donuts for breakfast with juice and ice cream cake for dessert! then the kids had to sit in seat belts for 4 hours:~) They honestly did very good for the drive as I think they were all worn out from the weekend! A HUGE THANK YOU to Granny and Pop for having us stay and keeping us all more than fed the whole weekend, and making us feel so welcomed and loved! We all had a great time!