1. Last week of break :( In the beginning of the break it seems so long, but now that it is coming to a close I could use a few more days.
2. Breslin has learned how to crawl out of his crib.
3. So because of #2, Breslin is now in a toddler bed at 19 months.
4. Saw the Gangster Squad. Was really good. Would see it again. (Ummmmm, it might have something to do with Ryan Gosling.....)
5. I absolutely LOVE traveling, but it is really nice to be back home.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Colorado
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| Loveland |
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| Lauren and I going up the 2 mile ski lift |
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| At the end of a fabulous day on the slopes |
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| Just relaxing with Oozo. |
Lauren just recently moved to Colorado, so we figured since we had three weeks for winter break what better time to go then during the winter break. After we got back from Michigan we took two days to rest and recoup in California and then we headed back out to Colorado.
The first day we were out there we hit up the slopes. The mountain was called Loveland. We spent most of the day there. I tell you what, the air was thin, I definitely had a hard time catching my breath when we were at the top of the mountain. But besides that, snowboarding went great. It was nice to know that I could still get down the slopes without too many issues... (getting off the ski lift was a whole nother issue). After our full day at the slopes we stopped to get some hot chocolate and then headed out to eat dinner with a guy that Brady played baseball with (Charlie Braun), they also have a little girl. It was nice getting the chance to hang out with them.
The next day we hit up the zoo, the mall, and went out to a really cool restaurant, "Udi's." Charlie and little Bea met up with us there as well. After a short but awesome visit out in Colorado our trip came to an end. The good news is, we will see Sean and Lauren again in a little under a month to celebrate Lauren's 30th birthday! I love that we are both now on the Western side of the United States so we can do fun things like these.
Sunday, January 06, 2013
5 for Fridays (or Sunday)
Oh man, was Friday an exhausting day, hence the reason I did not have this post up on Friday. Thursday night Breslin decided he didn't want to sleep by himself, so I had to sleep in the guest bedroom with Breslin and make sure he wasn't going to fall off the bed. I swear to you, when my mom came in the room to wake me up (5:12 am) I had literally only been asleep for about an hour. Oh well, such is the life of a mom. We flew out of Detroit on schedule, and landed in LA about 45 minutes early :) Yeah!!! Much better than our flight going out there. That was flight number 18 for Breslin! He definitely is a veteran flyer.
So anyway here is my 5 for Friday ( a little late).
1. Enjoyed ringing in the new year with the Williams. We had a few new additions this year, AND it was Breslin's first year partaking in the full tradition as he stayed up until midnight to cheers and give New Year kisses.
2. Breslin had a fabulous playdate with Teagan and Hannah at Impression 5. The three of them played for 2 1/2 hours. I wish we had one out here. For my Southern California readers, Impression 5 is similar to Kidspace in Pasadena, except I feel like they had a little bit more for the little ones to do and play with.
3. I am sure that I gained at least 7 pounds over the holidays. I seriously have never eaten so much "goodness/crap" in a short time span. But let me tell you it was worth every ounce! But, now that vacation is over I can get back into my routine. I am running a 5k in February, so I am back into running a little bit. I am also getting into Yoga a little bit. Bought a Yoga mat, and have looked at a few videos and magazines on it, I think I need to bring a little zen into my life. I am also now trying to cut back on the sweets (at least until I drop whatever holiday weight I gained).
4. Enjoyed a full day of football on New Years Day. I love how everybody in my family is into college football (I mean obviously they would have to be, considering my obsession with it). But after Christina, Brady, Breslin, and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for the start of the games (and for lunch), we went back to my parents' house and watched all of the games that were playing. So much fun.
5. We left on Friday. After 2 weeks of hanging out with my family it was time to go. Most years, at the end of our time out in Michigan we are ready to get back home and get back into some sort of routine... not this year. Breslin had so much fun out there with my family and I had so much fun out there that I wish we could have one more day. Some of the highlights from the trip -- getting my dad and Christina hooked on "the Walking Dead", our nightly game of cards (and of course all of the cheating and ridicule that goes along with it), sledding, play dates, Christina's tattoo (LMA--you guys try and guess what that means), lunches with mom, siting (or maybe jumping would be a better term) in the Izzone section for the MSU basketball game, Christmas breakfast, New Year's Eve, and Breslin playing with pangra (grandpa in non Breslin speak). I can not wait until we all hang out again.
So anyway here is my 5 for Friday ( a little late).
1. Enjoyed ringing in the new year with the Williams. We had a few new additions this year, AND it was Breslin's first year partaking in the full tradition as he stayed up until midnight to cheers and give New Year kisses.
2. Breslin had a fabulous playdate with Teagan and Hannah at Impression 5. The three of them played for 2 1/2 hours. I wish we had one out here. For my Southern California readers, Impression 5 is similar to Kidspace in Pasadena, except I feel like they had a little bit more for the little ones to do and play with.
3. I am sure that I gained at least 7 pounds over the holidays. I seriously have never eaten so much "goodness/crap" in a short time span. But let me tell you it was worth every ounce! But, now that vacation is over I can get back into my routine. I am running a 5k in February, so I am back into running a little bit. I am also getting into Yoga a little bit. Bought a Yoga mat, and have looked at a few videos and magazines on it, I think I need to bring a little zen into my life. I am also now trying to cut back on the sweets (at least until I drop whatever holiday weight I gained).
4. Enjoyed a full day of football on New Years Day. I love how everybody in my family is into college football (I mean obviously they would have to be, considering my obsession with it). But after Christina, Brady, Breslin, and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for the start of the games (and for lunch), we went back to my parents' house and watched all of the games that were playing. So much fun.
5. We left on Friday. After 2 weeks of hanging out with my family it was time to go. Most years, at the end of our time out in Michigan we are ready to get back home and get back into some sort of routine... not this year. Breslin had so much fun out there with my family and I had so much fun out there that I wish we could have one more day. Some of the highlights from the trip -- getting my dad and Christina hooked on "the Walking Dead", our nightly game of cards (and of course all of the cheating and ridicule that goes along with it), sledding, play dates, Christina's tattoo (LMA--you guys try and guess what that means), lunches with mom, siting (or maybe jumping would be a better term) in the Izzone section for the MSU basketball game, Christmas breakfast, New Year's Eve, and Breslin playing with pangra (grandpa in non Breslin speak). I can not wait until we all hang out again.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Happy New Year!!!
What do you guys want to do in 2013? What are your resolutions? Did you accomplish yours from 2012?
I know that I don't think I had many or any resolutions from 2012... if that tells you anything, it means that I most likely didn't stick to them. I was rather sleep deprived throughout most of 2012 anyway.
So far 2013, I have a few goals/resolutions:
1- Spend more quality time with Breslin. Now that we are all getting a little bit more sleep I should have more energy to do more fun things with Breslin. I want to commit to doing something "fun" (i.e. Magic Mountain, Bounce House, Playground, Swimming, a gymnastics or mom and me type class) once a week with Breslin. We always play at the house and have fun there, but I want to keep things fun and exciting!
2- Exercise. Isn't that always a resolution? In 2012 I ran 2 half marathons, 1 half marathon relay (8 miles) and 1 5k. This year I am already planning on doing a "Color Run" 5k in February with the Carey's, and I also want to do another half marathon. I still have yet to hit my goal of under 2 hours for the half marathon, so that will be my goal again. In between the running, I want to commit to doing some sort of exercise AT LEAST 4 times a week. I of course would like to do it more, but I want these goals to be attainable. Between tutoring, work, and Breslin it is hard for me to find the time. But it is super important to me to find the time.
3- "Me time." I need to make time once a week (at least) to do something I want to do... movie, scrapbooking, reading.
4- Date night. I think Brady and I need to find the time to go out to dinner, or dinner and a movie AT LEAST once a month without the little man.
5- Just be a better person, less stressed out, more positive. This first semester of the school year really tested me. I had one issue that way overstepped its boundaries and caused me to be miserable. I can not let one thing dictate how I feel throughout the day. Positive mindset in the beginning of the morning ALWAYS!
Happy New Year to all of you. Good luck with your goals and resolutions. I hope this year is the best of all.
I know that I don't think I had many or any resolutions from 2012... if that tells you anything, it means that I most likely didn't stick to them. I was rather sleep deprived throughout most of 2012 anyway.
So far 2013, I have a few goals/resolutions:
1- Spend more quality time with Breslin. Now that we are all getting a little bit more sleep I should have more energy to do more fun things with Breslin. I want to commit to doing something "fun" (i.e. Magic Mountain, Bounce House, Playground, Swimming, a gymnastics or mom and me type class) once a week with Breslin. We always play at the house and have fun there, but I want to keep things fun and exciting!
2- Exercise. Isn't that always a resolution? In 2012 I ran 2 half marathons, 1 half marathon relay (8 miles) and 1 5k. This year I am already planning on doing a "Color Run" 5k in February with the Carey's, and I also want to do another half marathon. I still have yet to hit my goal of under 2 hours for the half marathon, so that will be my goal again. In between the running, I want to commit to doing some sort of exercise AT LEAST 4 times a week. I of course would like to do it more, but I want these goals to be attainable. Between tutoring, work, and Breslin it is hard for me to find the time. But it is super important to me to find the time.
3- "Me time." I need to make time once a week (at least) to do something I want to do... movie, scrapbooking, reading.
4- Date night. I think Brady and I need to find the time to go out to dinner, or dinner and a movie AT LEAST once a month without the little man.
5- Just be a better person, less stressed out, more positive. This first semester of the school year really tested me. I had one issue that way overstepped its boundaries and caused me to be miserable. I can not let one thing dictate how I feel throughout the day. Positive mindset in the beginning of the morning ALWAYS!
Happy New Year to all of you. Good luck with your goals and resolutions. I hope this year is the best of all.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Grand Rapids
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| Sledding with Kim and Caleb |
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| Going down with Daddy |
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| Racing with Caleb |
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| Best buds |
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| Caleb, Kim, me, Brady, and Breslin |
It has become a yearly tradition heading out to Grand Rapids. In the morning we hang out with Kim and family and in the evening we hang out with the Grand Rapids Burrill's. I only got pictures of our morning though. Caleb and Breslin became best buds on this visit. Breslin LOVED Caleb, and we are pretty sure that Caleb is the only one with enough energy to keep up with Breslin. It was great catching up with Kim (my former coach in gymnastics). Since we both have been done with gymnastics, we both have gotten in to running. So we were sharing running stories and different races we had done, etc. Always a good time. I wish we could see each other more than a few times a year.
Once we left Kim's we headed over to Leesa and Dan's. EVERYBODY was there. Dan, Leesa, Nick, & Blake. Julie, Eric, & Kyle. Kristy and Blake. Lindsey, Joe & Baby Harper. Aunt Sandy and Uncle Claude. Terry and Ron Zandbergen. It was a bit chaotic at times, and Breslin was running on steam... missing a nap in there, but everybody had so much fun catching up. We have to plan a summer trip out to Michigan and hang out with them some more. We love our time we get to spend with them.
Playtime with Teagan
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| Breslin getting some snuggles in with T |
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| smoochin |
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| They look like they were caught soing something... |
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| 2 peas in a pod |
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| Anna, Breslin, Teagan, Me |
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| Teagan pushing Brez around |
Teagan and Breslin. One can only hope (sorry Brian) that they get married someday so that these pictures can go on their wedding slide show (jk.... but seriously).
Friday, December 28, 2012
Five for Fridays
1. Enjoyed a great first week of winter break. I can't believe it has already been a week.
2. Took Breslin on flight #17 of his short little life. At 18 months old Breslin has flown 17 flights. One could say he is a veteran traveler.
3. This was a week of firsts. Breslin went to his first Christmas Eve Service (last year we flew in on Christmas Eve and missed out), he saw his first real snow fall, and went sledding for the first time.
4. We had a great Christmas. My parents sure do spoil us. They still treat us like we are little kids on Christmas morning. The magic is still there. The excitement is still there. I absolutely love it. I think sometimes Brady gets a little overwhelmed at the amount of presents that still go out, but it's how our family does Christmas and we all love spoiling everybody.
5. I got my dad and sister addicted to "the Walking Dead." Score!
2. Took Breslin on flight #17 of his short little life. At 18 months old Breslin has flown 17 flights. One could say he is a veteran traveler.
3. This was a week of firsts. Breslin went to his first Christmas Eve Service (last year we flew in on Christmas Eve and missed out), he saw his first real snow fall, and went sledding for the first time.
4. We had a great Christmas. My parents sure do spoil us. They still treat us like we are little kids on Christmas morning. The magic is still there. The excitement is still there. I absolutely love it. I think sometimes Brady gets a little overwhelmed at the amount of presents that still go out, but it's how our family does Christmas and we all love spoiling everybody.
5. I got my dad and sister addicted to "the Walking Dead." Score!
Sledding!
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| At the end of an eventful sledding day! |
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| Auntie enjoying a little sledding. |
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| At the bottom of the hill |
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| Brady had NO CONTROL over his sled |
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| Love the workout that comes with sledding... there is no chair lift, we have to march all the way back up. |
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| "WWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" |
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| What do you think? |
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| 1-2-3 Go! |
Oh the highs and lows of parenting! Today, definitely a high! There is nothing better than to be able to do kid things without people thinking you are a dork. All of us "adults" were able to use Breslin as an excuse to act like little kids again when we took him sledding. We tested out sledding on our driveway, and when Breslin seemed to like it we went over to a real sledding hill. Now I know Breslin had a good time, BUT I think the adults had a little more fun than he did. I can not even remember the last time I went sledding. We had a blast.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
SNOW!!!!!!!
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| Breslin's first "real" encounter with snow. |
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| "Snnnnoooooooowwwww" |
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| not too sure today... |
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| Let me investigate it a little more... |
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| Grandpa... what are you doing? |
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| I want to help... |
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| Breslin and daddy and grandpa snowblowing! |
Sunday, December 09, 2012
Five for Fridays (or Sunday)
1. It's the hoooooommmmeee stretch. We are now down to 8 school days left before a much needed winter break.
2. The month of November had been a rough sleeping month for Breslin. He hadn't been going down easy, he had been waking up in the middle of the night for hours at a time. So this past week we decided to sleep train him again. We started on Tuesday night. He gave us a half hour of crying when he went to bed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. But by Friday night, no crying... and all of those nights he has slept through the night! We needed to make sure that he could be back on schedule when we go back to Michigan. So far so good!
3. We had our annual Christmas party! It was great :) Good people, good food, good desserts, and good gifts :)
4. I'm tutoring like crazy these last few weeks. It is exhausting, but we can always use the extra $$.
5. The kitchen is almost a go. We need to sign a few last items, and then we just need to schedule a time for them to start. (I'm hoping over Christmas break....)
2. The month of November had been a rough sleeping month for Breslin. He hadn't been going down easy, he had been waking up in the middle of the night for hours at a time. So this past week we decided to sleep train him again. We started on Tuesday night. He gave us a half hour of crying when he went to bed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. But by Friday night, no crying... and all of those nights he has slept through the night! We needed to make sure that he could be back on schedule when we go back to Michigan. So far so good!
3. We had our annual Christmas party! It was great :) Good people, good food, good desserts, and good gifts :)
4. I'm tutoring like crazy these last few weeks. It is exhausting, but we can always use the extra $$.
5. The kitchen is almost a go. We need to sign a few last items, and then we just need to schedule a time for them to start. (I'm hoping over Christmas break....)
Sunday, December 02, 2012
Five for Fridays (or Sunday)
2. The countdown is on with school. We have a total of 10 school days left and 3 days of finals. It is bitter sweet, I have come attached to my classes, but I have been dealing with a few issues that I will be ready to get rid of!
3. Breslin's new favorite thing is the McDonald's play place which is great, since it's been quite wet around here these last couple of days!!!! He is used to going to the park almost every day, so he needs somewhere to run out his energy!
4. Our Spartan basketball team is doing the same sort of thing our football team was doing.... breaking our hearts. Christina (my sister) went to the game against Miami, and sadly, they lost... tore out mine and Christina's heart. I felt uber bad for her, so I made sure to talk to her after the game, to make sure she didn't drive off a cliff!!!! (JK... or am I?)
5. Got most of our decorations up for Christmas this weekend. The tree is up, the mantel is done, the pictures switched out, now I am just waiting on Brady to putting on the Christmas lights outside. It is feeling a lot like Christmas, now if we could get some snow going out in the midwest, so we can have a white Christmas that would be awesome!
*On a side note, Brady and I are OBSESSED with the Walking Dead tv show... anyone else?
Friday, November 23, 2012
Five for Fridays
2. I am currently in the process of cooking our Burrill Thanksgiving dinner right now. We have turkey and sweet potato in the oven, the corn bread and corn casserole has been made. All of the desserts are ready to go. Rob is bringing over the salad and the green beans, and Kris has the traditional Kalua cake! Still yet to be made is the stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy.
3. Short weeks are always good weeks, however I can not believe that the semester is almost over! In some ways I can not wait for this semester to be over, and in other ways I don't want it to end. I have some great students this year that I don't want to give up!
4. MSU basketball continues the tradition of all MSU sports.... they are keeping it stressful with a nail biter against Boise State. But I guess, a win's a win.
5. We are not Black Friday people, but our laptop has been on the fritz lately, so Brady thought maybe he should go to Office Depot and check it out. (So when Breslin awoke....) at 5 a.m. I took care of the little man while Brady ventured off into the shopping crowds.... and he came home with in all in one computer that I am currently using to update this blog! Go Brady! I tell you what, I love shopping as much as the next person, but I would rather pay full price for something then venture out in the middle of the night to get a great deal... I cherish my sleep way to much! However, I don't knock anybody who does! To each his own!
I hope everybody had a fabulous Thanksgiving and will have a great Holiday season!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Five for Fridays (or Sunday)
1. Well MSU football continues to disappoint :( We now look ahead to next year I guess.... I like to look at the positive side of things (sometimes). If we do win next week, the one good thing about getting the piece of crap bowl game... is they might play at Ford Field... which means I would be able to go to it...
2. On the flip side, after a shaky start against UConn, the MSU basketball team pulled it together to hang with #7 ranked Kansas, and beat them in the end!
3. This last month our book club read Rob Lowe's auto biography, I can't remember what it was called, something like, "Stories I Only Tell My Friends", but it was a really good book, considering I don't read auto biographies.
4. All three of us have been battling some sort of nasty cold... I'm really hoping mine is at the tail end....
5. Breslin continues to grow. It amazes me how big he is getting, how vocal he is getting, and how mobile he is. I am thinking we have one month tops left of the crib. He is ssssssssssssooooooooo close to crawling out!!!
2. On the flip side, after a shaky start against UConn, the MSU basketball team pulled it together to hang with #7 ranked Kansas, and beat them in the end!
3. This last month our book club read Rob Lowe's auto biography, I can't remember what it was called, something like, "Stories I Only Tell My Friends", but it was a really good book, considering I don't read auto biographies.
4. All three of us have been battling some sort of nasty cold... I'm really hoping mine is at the tail end....
5. Breslin continues to grow. It amazes me how big he is getting, how vocal he is getting, and how mobile he is. I am thinking we have one month tops left of the crib. He is ssssssssssssooooooooo close to crawling out!!!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Five for Fridays (or Sunday)
1. I know... I know... it's been awhile. I've just had a few major crazy stressful weeks at school. I am going to try (as always) to do a better job updating the blog.
2. Well.... I guess I have resorted to counting on MSU hockey. MSU hockey beat U of M last night, not only beat U of M... more like crushed them. Any time MSU beats Michigan in anything it's a good day :) On the flip side, its been a rough go of it with my other MSU sports. Michigan State football lost another heartbreaker last Saturday to Nebraska, and MSU basketball lost it's opener against UConn.
3. We were extremely excited about the re election of our President on Tuesday, not to mention the very important passage of Prop 30, and non passage of Prop 32. California education had a great day on Tuesday, definitely a step in the right direction.
4. Breslin is saying more words than ever now. His personality grows everyday. And he is super active (with him being super active, our house looks it.... you can definitely tell as I look around this house that we have a crazy mobile, active toddler.... we are that house where if you step in the wrong spot you might break your ankle with the amount of toys that are all over).
5. Valencia High School's football team won the league title last week and went undefeated in the league (they were supposed to place second or third), they won on Friday night for their first play off game. I've been able to make a few games this year and they have been fun!
*And on a side note.... it has finally cooled down!!!! Hopefully it stays like this for awhile. But who knows!
2. Well.... I guess I have resorted to counting on MSU hockey. MSU hockey beat U of M last night, not only beat U of M... more like crushed them. Any time MSU beats Michigan in anything it's a good day :) On the flip side, its been a rough go of it with my other MSU sports. Michigan State football lost another heartbreaker last Saturday to Nebraska, and MSU basketball lost it's opener against UConn.
3. We were extremely excited about the re election of our President on Tuesday, not to mention the very important passage of Prop 30, and non passage of Prop 32. California education had a great day on Tuesday, definitely a step in the right direction.
4. Breslin is saying more words than ever now. His personality grows everyday. And he is super active (with him being super active, our house looks it.... you can definitely tell as I look around this house that we have a crazy mobile, active toddler.... we are that house where if you step in the wrong spot you might break your ankle with the amount of toys that are all over).
5. Valencia High School's football team won the league title last week and went undefeated in the league (they were supposed to place second or third), they won on Friday night for their first play off game. I've been able to make a few games this year and they have been fun!
*And on a side note.... it has finally cooled down!!!! Hopefully it stays like this for awhile. But who knows!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Lombardi's Ranch
Breslin's first legit trip to Lombardi's. We went last year, but of course... he wasn't quite aware of what was going on around him at that point in time. This year he was all over it. He ran up and down, up and down, up and down the pumpkin aisles for about 20 minutes, having an absolute blast. Then we went to the haystack maze where Breslin spent another good 20 minutes running around in there... the smile plastered on his face! After we went for a tractor ride. We finished off the morning by picking out the three most perfect pumpkins!
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| Maze time! |
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| Waiting in line for the tractor pull |
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| Getting ready to go! Bye bye daddy! |
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| I think this one is the perfect one... |
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| Eh... maybe this one! |
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