Cedar Hill Farms

Jaime and I decided to take the kids to Cedar Hill Farms in Hernando, MS just for fun on a random Thursday during Fall Break. It was very spontaneous but also very much fun! There was a petting zoo, pony rides, haybale maze, train ride, a pumpkin patch and even piggie races (which we were so sad about missing!). Coco LOVED riding the pony; Sebastian wouldn't even consider it. The one thing he did love was the goat food! He cried and cried every time I tried to take the cup away. Eventually, I gave up and just let him have it. (Sebastian, when you're all grown up and reading this, yes, I did let you eat food meant for animals and no, it didn't hurt you. ) We had a fun lunch in the cafe and finished just in time...the rain started pouring down! There were so many "Kodak" moments happening I couldn't catch them all but here are a few from our mini road trip.

Aunt Jaime was determined to conquer the hay maze!

I just love this picture...Coco is finally learning to smile for the camera!

I couldn't believe how much Coco enjoyed riding the pony.

All of us!

Sebastian chowing down on the goat food!

Aunt Jaime being so very brave feeding the cow.

They both say the other one is their "best friend."

Hat Day at TCA!

Of all the dress up hats and princess crowns in her dress up box, Coco chose her "Fievel" hat for hat day. She was excited about wearing it to school but...not so excited about me taking her picture in it!

Oh my that look...I think I've seen it before. Wait, I know...it's the same look her Daddy gives me when he's had enough!! Donald and his little clone.

Disney on ICE!

This was Coco's first encounter with "real, live" Disney characters...and she LOVED it! It was a big deal to pick out a new princess dress to wear (and double as her Halloween costume) and we just knew she would choose Ariel. Much to our surprise, she chose Snow White. And she was the most beautiful Snow White there!

Daddy & Coco just before the show starts.

Bar none, Coco's favorite was the princesses.

There were disappointing parts for her though:

1. Briar Rose (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty was not there)

2. Ariel just didn't quite look right.

We didn't think Sebastian was quite old enough to sit through the show, but after seeing so much Mickey Mouse on the ice, we wish we would have brought him.
He LOVES Mickey (or "minnie" as he calls him).

Sebastian & the vacuum

Sebastian (16 months) LOVES to vacuum! I literally have to fight him for a "turn" every week. He used to be fooled with an attachment that wasn't hooked up but not anymore! It's amazing how different 2 children can be. I used to have to either 1.) take Coco to Memaw's house or 2.) keep her strapped in her high chair just to get this chore done. She was absolutely TERRIFIED of the vacuum cleaner. Sebastian on the other hand, may have a future in domestic maintenance!

Grandparent's Day at TCA

Today was Grandparent's day at Coco's school. Since Grammy is recovering from her hip replacement and Namps is taking care of her, Memaw stepped up to the plate and came to have lunch with her at school. This was no small feat given that she had to rearrange her weekly beauty shop appointment and squeeze it in before heading to a doctor's appointment in Memphis. However, there was NO stopping her! There aren't enough words to describe the kind of woman Memaw is: kind, loving, dedicated, fearless, patient, funny...I could go on and on. She is a great-grandmother like no other and we are so incredibly blessed because of her. She is recovering from breast cancer and continues to amaze and encourage everyone. So, this particular grandparent's day is pretty special since just a month ago we were waiting on diagnosis & prognosis fearing the worst. Thank you God for not taking our Memaw home just yet.

Coco was so proud to have Memaw at her school.

Lunch consisted of PB & J, apples & and Oatmeal Pie.

Memaw LOVES this baby boy (and he her) like nobody's business!

Not even the carmel sauce dripping down his chin could keep him out of her lap!

Grammy's new hip

Grammy got a new hip! After several years of limping and doing the "hip flick", Grammy finally had to get a hip replacement. We are all nervous, scared but mostly hopeful that this will give her some relief and quality of life back. This picture is her in the hospital the day of the surgery. The drugs were good & strong. This photo even made it's way to the freckled frog's Facebook page!

August birthday celebrations

The birthday people! Namps turning 60!!!, Aunt Jaime turning 33 & Jasper turning 6

Our family has quite a few birthdays in August: Namps, Aunt Jaime, Uncle Drew, and Jasper coming in on Sept. 1st. Tradition holds that we have a family dinner at Grammy's to celebrate the "Apfel" birthdays and it gets a little more crowded each year; crowding in this case is a good thing! Since this is our family blog for our eyes only, I can confess that this year's celebration was a little tense. Times are not smooth in our family right now but we have faith to know that God will get us through it. But, in spite of all of the differences and drama going on right now, we were able to all get together and love on each other! Here are a few photos from the night:

Mommy & Sebastian

Jansen & Coco playing under the umbrella! (No, it wasn't raining.)

Jasper and his super cool new bike Grammy & Namps got him!

Cory, Shelby & Braxton

(Yes, her hair is purple.)

Sebastian, Jasper & Jansen

Look out girls, meet the brown-eyed lady killers!