We joined a volunteer-led tour of the farm with one other family and literally we were the only ones there. Felicia, the volunteer farmer, told us that Mother’s Day is always packed and Father’s Day is always deserted at Howell. Weird. Although we are regulars at the farm, we’ve never actually gone on a tour before. The tour was amazing! I think the volunteer was happy to have some company and took Natalie around to do all sorts of cool farm chores that we don’t normally have access to. The girls were troopers at the farm, despite the 90 degree heat and being hungry. Unfortunately, when we got home they were both pretty worn out and cranky. I wonder how old they will be when they are able to accomplish not giving Chris any grief on Father’s Day?
Natalie and Daddy model their crowns Natalie decorated a crown for Chris for Father’s Day. Off course then she wanted one, too!
Natalie with her crown
Miranda jumping Our friend Joanne was kind enough to hand down this jumper to Miranda!
Visiting the horses
Pigs in mud
Natalie with Felicia the farmer
Collecting farm fresh eggs
Volunteer farmer shows Natalie how it’s done
Natalie and Daddy scrape feed corn off the cob
Natalie helps grind corn
Natalie turns the crank
Natalie looks at the ground corn
Natalie feeds her corn to the chicks
Pumping water
Natalie gives water to Blaze the 30 year old horse And he spits it right back at her!
Funny faces Most times this is the only way that Natalie will "pose" for pictures these days.
Miranda’s First Father’s Day III
Family Portrait Kids not smiling, of course!
Smily baby Miranda getting her diaper AND outfit changed outside yet again.
Lamb Grazing
Miranda’s First Father’s Day II
Miranda’s First Father’s Day I

Mother of Two

On Sunday, Chris made delicious waffles and Natalie was excited to give me her “project” that she made at Melissa’s: a glittery gold handprint and homemade card. We had a relaxing day, half lounging around and half working in the garden. It was brisk at 55 degrees and windy—Natalie was a little scared of the wind, even asking if our house would blow down. We assured her it wouldn’t!
That’s not a dandelion, silly!
Miranda’s First Mother’s Day

Easter morning

The drive up was a test to see if switching Miranda from her bucket car seat (which she hated) to the convertible car seat improved her fussiness in the car. Meema drove up with us on Friday, which was a good thing because we had to stop so much that the 3-hour drive took practically all day. I was glad to have her company and extra set of hands—I’m sure I would have arrived in a much more frazzled state had I been by myself. Miranda slept for some of the trip, but didn’t tolerate driving for more than an hour at a time. That said, the convertible car seat seems to be much more comfortable for her than the bucket. Other than crying in the car, Miranda handled her first weekend away from home like a champ! We brought the bouncy seat and she was able to nap there or in the mei tai and enjoyed being held by various family members and friends.

In addition to Easter, we also got to be in CT for Bonnie’s birthday, which was celebrated with a homemade (by Uncle Ray) pizza party. And we visited Elaine’s house, where Natalie had fun feeding the chickens, collecting eggs, and running around by the pond. We told Natalie about how we got married at Aunt Elaine’s house, but I’m sure that she doesn’t really understand what being married means.
Happy Birthday Bonnie!!
High Five! Natalie and Ray making "Pizza Natalie"
Such concentration!
Coloring crew
Easter eggs! \
Sleepy girl I Natalie conked out while Jodi read to her….a rare occurance and a sure sign of a VERY tired girl.
Sleepy girl II Jodi also got Miranda to sleep that night!
Natalie with Jodi and Jay Natalie got quite spoiled by Jodi and Jay, who made her a fantastic Easter basket and egg hunt.
Natalie’s first cadbury cream egg

Miranda’s First Easter! I had spares, but Miranda actually wore her Easter outfit all day with incident!

Bunny ears and magic wands Natalie checks out her loot.
Reading with Meema Natalie found a new book in her easter basket
Egg hunt Cousin Margaret helped Natalie find all the eggs that she and Aunt Bonnie hid for Natalie.

Thanks for an awesome weekend, Connecticut folks!! And thanks to Meema for photoshopping together such a lovely family portrait!

Natalie and I had a nice morning at Terhune’s listening to stories about pumpkins and picking our own at their “Read and Pick” Program:

Natalie had a great time painting pumpkins with Aunt Kary:

We took a trip with grandpa to Howell Living History Farm for their Wheat Harvest Festival:

On the one sunny weekend day we went to Terhune’s, along with everyone else in central NJ! Here is Natalie driving the big red tractor:

Baaa:

Roaring like a bear (a big stuffed one was on display in the “Adventure Barn”):

Almost lost in a sea of pumpkins:

Natalie’s little sister dressed up as a jack-o-lantern (which we neglected to take a real picture of):

We went on a hayride with Aunt Kary:

Natalie’s first portrait of her parents (not bad!!):

After changing her mind several times with regard to her costume, Natalie finally settled on dressing as a bumble bee:

She had a great time handing out candy to trick-or-treaters with Clara the butterfly:

A Father’s Day Dutch Baby:

Natalie showing of her Daddy’s blond hair and blue eyes:

A little Daddy love:

Her new obsession, spraying water in her mouth:

And homemade pizza for dinner, what more could a father ask for?!?

Natalie was very excited to open all the eggs and wanted to wear all the hair accessories and eat all the food (bunny crackers, bunny fruit snacks, chick crackers and raisins) found in her eggs:

After the Easter egg hunt, Natalie wanted to go outside and splash around with her new frog boots and cow umbrella.

Easter morning she was excited to see what was in her Easter basket (coloring book, play dough in plastic eggs, a soft brown bunny, 2 books, stickers, and new pajamas):

Natalie and her baby in matching Easter dresses (I could not resist the cuteness!):

Enjoying an Easter cookie:

Three generations:

A family photo:

Hugging Uncle Ray:

And Aunt Bonnie:

And Great Grandma: