The Engbers Blog

We have continued with our fall activities by visiting the pumpkin patch several times in the last couple weeks.  Our first trip Jon was able to come along and join in on the fun.  Jon's weekends at work have been busy this month, so it was nice to be able to spend some time doing something fun with Liv and Clara.    Olivia picking out the perfect size pumpkin for her. Clara was content to sit on the pumpkin and finish her powdered-sugar donut from grandma. :) We went to Pumpkinland outside of Orange City, so Grandma Syl joined us.  Clara enjoyed looking at the live animals, but she was most intrigued by a statue of a puppy that she kept barking at. We also did the little munchkin corn maze.  Olivia and Jon ran right through, but Grandma, Clara, and I took our time.  "Look mom, I found you!"   Pumpkin Land trip #2: The next weekend while Jon was working, we met aunt Rose, Carter, and McKaelyn...

Here are a few pictures of Olivia's preschool field trip to the apple orchard. Olivia and Gracie (and her sister Ava) showing off their apples.   Some of the girls from Olivia's preschool class waiting to ride back in after picking apples. Olivia's preschool class. Jumping and climbing in the hay.  Another one of Olivia's favorite activites at the orchard. Driving the train.   Below are pictures of some of the artwork Olivia has come home from school with already this year. She loves painting in school. Learning all about the letter C. We can all laugh a little bit at this one, right?! I have really noticed Olivia's improvement with coloring and staying inside the lines.  She always loves to make things as colorful as she can!

We visited the apple orchard the first weekend it was open this year.  It wasn't the greatest weather, but the apples were ready early and Jon actually had a free weekend, so we decided to try it.    Clara was a little unsure about the whole experience.  The ground was wet because it had rained so I tried carrying her in the sling, but she didn't think being confined was a great idea.  We finally gave in and let her roam free, causing her to become a happy, muddy mess.  The girl loves to dig in the mud.  I just don't get it.  Both girls testing out the apples. Olivia showing us her expert apple picking skills.  Olivia's preschool class goes on a field trip to the apple orchard tomorrow.  I will be able to go along, and hopefully can get a few pictures of Olivia exploring the orchard with her school friends. We counted the trip a success and came home with a bag full of apples.  We have already made...

These pictures really have nothing in common, except the fact that I love them all.  They are spontaneous pictures that I quick snapped of an unplanned, yet photo-worthy moment. Liv and aunt Leah snuggling together because grandpa Jim was trying to scare them. Playing in the rain.  Jon, Olivia, and Clara had gone to the park and got caught in a downpour on the way home.  Olivia was already drenched, so we let her go at it and spash away in the puddles.  Clara has such a silly personality.  She makes us laugh all the time.  She thought she was pretty hilarious sitting in her reading basket next to her sister. I'm not sure what I love most about this picture.  The fact that they are sliding into an empty pool, the joy on Clara's face, or the memory it gives me of the two of them playing nicely together for 15 minutes straight! Whenever Olivia and Clara get playing together there is sure to be some trouble.  On this day,...