Apple Picking.....(minus the picking)

We made the trip out to Kuipers Apple Farm last weekend because I have always wanted to go apple picking and had grand images of taking Bel to her first apple orchard. I thought I would get all kinds of awesome photo ops of her picking apples in the beautiful fall weather. Well, it turns out everyone else in the free world had the same idea last weekend. When we arrived there were literally HUNDREDS of people waiting in line (and only two registers open at the gate) So... we scrapped the apple picking plan and decided just to go into the orchard store and BUY our apples. (Hey, why not? We knew they were ripe and clean) We also got other yummy sweets and treats like apple doughnuts, hot chocolate, homemade popcorn etc. Then we just let Bel run around and play outside for an hour. I don't think she actually knew the difference and as you will see from the pics she TOTALLY enjoyed her honey crisp apple.

Harvest Days- Dwight Trip

I have been SO busy at work lately and haven't had much time to keep up with my blog. Anyway, here are some cute pics from our weekend in Dwight for Harvest Days- Enjoy!

Grandma and Grandpa Leppin babysat while Jason and I headed down to U of I for the football game. The Illini beat Northern Illinois University. (Note that even though I wore orange- I was secretly rooting for the Huskies)

 Bel had a lot of fun hanging with her grandparents. Here she is with a big box of bead necklaces (her favorite) that belonged to her great-grandma!

 Oh Elmo..... Bel never tires of you! At least this is a NEW video- since we have seen all of the others 42,000 times. Best of Elmo 2 features Beyonce, Jack Black, and Jason Mraz so I didn't even mind watching this one.

On Sunday we headed to Harvest Days for lunch and the big parade!

 I know this picture doesn't do it justice but at the start of the parade they have this "basset hound waddle" which basically consists of 500 basset hounds (many in costume) and their owners marching down the street at once. I really thought Isabel might have a heart attack since she is normally super excited about seeing even one dog on the street. Well... I think it may have been a bit much for her. She just stood there kind of mesmerized. I took video- someday I will try to post it.

 The queen of the "wave". Here she is waving at each float and car that passed by.

Her favorite part of the parade was an appearance by Smokey the Bear. She has been talking about him ever since. Go figure. Thanks for the fun weekend Leppins!

Daddy's Girl

 Poor Mommy!!! Totally cut out of the loop now. Isabel is officially the biggest daddy's girl. She is happiest when snuggled up on his lap or playing with him on the floor and doesn't even want me to read her a bedtime story most nights. (Whatever! Doesn't she know I have a Master's in reading?!!) Well... I guess it could be worse....she still thinks I am a pretty good substitute when he isn't around and it IS pretty sweet to see how good Jason is with her.

Showering Mandy!

Yay!! Today was finally Mandy's baby shower. I feel like my mom and I have been talking about it for months (okay .. we have been.) And it is so awesome to think that baby girl Payton Kerruish is coming in just seven (give or take) short weeks. So, everyone who knows me knows that I love parties and planning for parties. I couldn't wait for this shower and I wanted to go with a different theme- something pretty, a little trendy, and very Mandy. I decide to go for an "Apple of My Eye" shower with green apples and hot pink daisies. I worked with Jill from "Peas and Thank yous" and she helped this idea come to life. I loved all her little details. I took about ten zillion pics so I will just share a few highlights...

A proof of the invite- not the actual info but you get the idea. They were even more adorable in real life because the apples were 3D die-cuts.

The gorgeous preggo!

It wouldn't be a shower without the famous clothesline!

The teeny tiniest shoes

Washcloth roses- a new idea I found online. I just need to perfect it- it kept falling apart :)

The water bottles were my favorite!

My mom getting all the food ready- it was a BIG job and so good.

Jill really outdid herself with these cupcake toppers. I just love Target cupcakes too- I don't know why but I think they are the best. Maybe it is the whip cream frosting.

Look at all these gifts!

My sweety loved  the shower! She thought all the presents were hers!

The "daddy rules" with the "application for dating my daughter"- were super cute.

more cupcakes please!

My little sis and I - I hope you enjoyed your day Bean! I love you and wish you and Zack all the best with your little one. Now let's meet her!