Close enough to hug!

     My parents are always close in my heart, and Peanut and I talk about them often.  We look at pictures and remember fun times with them, we talk about when we will ride on the big airplane again, and we love to video chat whenever we get the chance.  But there is just nothing like a hug from Grandma and Grandpa, and we were so happy that they flew up to give us lots of love and make some memories last week.

We celebrated Grandpa Chuck's Birthday the night they arrived. I was so happy to get to make a cake for him and we all enjoyed it all week!

Our first adventure was to the arboretum and I love this photo of Mom and Dad.  They are birders/naturalists and I know they will teach Peanut alot about nature and it's inhabitants.

 Peanut has developed a great affection for cats.  He was a little skeptical of these until Grandma Sharon showed him they would be quite still for petting.

 I really enjoyed all the little trips we took, but some of my favorite moments were times like these.  In pajamas playing music.

 We had some cold weather while they were here, but Sunday was beautiful and we enjoyed the sunshine.

 We went to the zoo that sunny day and Peanut enjoyed showing them around. 

We always had an aquarium when I was growing up.  They are so peaceful and beautiful.  Maybe Peanut will have an aquarium....someday. Smile.

and just because I wasn't sure if I had enough pictures of Peanut eating an apple....

 We went back to the orchard, which just happened to be close to Emma Krumbee's, which just happened to be close to Minnesota's largest candy store...you get the picture!

 My beautiful mother.  Peanut, you better thank her for those baby blues! 

It was hard to let them go, but we will be planning another visit soon.  So happy we got them up to share our life here with them.  Love you Mom and Dad! 

Miss you!

 My parents are here this week and we are taking pictures...but with all the fun I have not gotten around to getting them organized yet.  The weather is just nice enough that they are walking our town's main street for a little shopping while Peanut and I rest.  Well, while Peanut rests.  I wanted to get a few pics up because our Gammie is away and I am quite sure she is missing our little man...(and hopefully the rest of us too!)  Gammie, we know you are having a wonderful time and that we must share you, but we are missing you bunches!

Peanut sends his love to Aunt Mimi and the rest of you too (and so do Best and I). 

Have a great week everyone and enjoy your familyevery chance you get!!!!

Apple of my Eye

We enjoyed our apple picking so much last year that we knew it was a "must" this year...and well, in these parts I think it is just a "must" period. We decided to try a new orchard that Best heard about at work. I just love that he works with these sweet women who have older children and lots of info on all of the local kid attractions.  We have benefited greatly from their knowledge, this being no exception!

The weather was beautiful and just chilly enough that it really felt like fall and I was happy that they had a large indoor area with food and live music.  (Not to mention face painting, shopping, and a giant popcorn machine!)  While I enjoyed a brat, Peanut and Best walked around made mental notes of what types of apple were available to pick.  They had them all for sale in big bushels, but we wanted to wait and pick our own.  Peanut's theory is definately "try before you buy" we soon found out!

We went on a little train ride while we waited for the tractor to leave for the orchard.

Then we loaded up to go on our 2nd annual apple pick!  I hope Peanut will always want to do this.  I have visions of him coming home from college and begging me to take him like I did when he was little.  Let a mom dream...Smile.

The pictures speak for themselves.

Peanut soon found that you might stumble over a few thousand apples on the ground if you don't watch your feet (he doesn't).  But he just got up and shook it off.  That a boy Peanut!

Making the sign for apple.  He learned this one way back because his mother is a big fan of apples!!!

Lots of snacking along the way.

Best did most of the work and was so sweet to want to get the very best apples for Peanut and I.  He is such a good provider...even in the apple orchard!

I love these rare occasions when he looks straight into the camera.  I click as quick as I can, knowing it will only last a moment...are you thinking what I'm thinking?

It was amazing to think about how much he's grown this past year.  Last year he could just sit up and definitely was not eating apples whole!

I love apples.  They are so easy to eat, so healthy, so beautiful, and there are so many varieties.  I'm glad my little Peanut got to stock up.  We may be back though, they're going quick!

Have a great week friends and family!

Morning. In Pictures.

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