Gull Meadow Farms...

Every October since Andrew was 6 months old, we've taken an annual family

trip to Gull Meadow Farms for donuts, cider, pumpkins, hayrides and all around fall fun! It seems that we always manage to go on a sunny day where the weather is perfect too. Even though we've gone there for the past 7 years, we still manage to always have a blast! Every year it seems they add one or two new things to make it even better. This year the newest addition was a giant rocking chair. I was able to get the boys to climb on up and take a great photo. I rather liked this picture because they were all smiling happily which is rare these days!

I also like seeing how much the boys have grown since the last time we visited and they don't mind it either. I can't believe how fast they are growing! Aaron unfortunately wouldn't cooperate at this point, but I will take what I can get.

After playing around in Pumpkin Lane, we finally made our way over to the greenhouse to pick out our pumpkins. We usually get one for each child, but since Alexis was sleeping the whole time we were there, only the boys got to do the picking. They picked some great ones too that I can't wait to help carve!

By the end of the afternoon they were all tuckered out and ready to go home. They were almost too tired to walk to the car, but they soon got kicked out of the wagon so our pumpkins could enjoy the ride.

This is one of my favorite family traditions and I can't wait til next fall!

Kicking off the Season...

Along with the start of a new school year, Andrew and Austin also started AYSO soccer. Every Saturday morning you can find me cheering on the boys during their games. We have been fortunate so far this season to have each of their teams playing at different times. Andrew played last year and was able to jump right in this year. He's enjoying it a lot more this year because they actually have positions, and play for a full hour. They also have a designated goalie, which he always volunteers to be. He's still too afraid to actually step in and try to take the ball from the other team, but I know in time he will get the hang of it!

Austin, on the other hand, was very hesitant. In his first game he got right in there and played. The second game was a complete no-go and he sat on the sidelines with us the WHOLE time. At his 3rd game this past weekend, I was finally able to convince him to play the last 2 minutes of the game (out of 30). Hopefully this week will be a little bit better and he will play the whole time.

School Days...

It's official, summer is over and the school year is well under way. This year, 2 of my little munchkins are enrolled at the G-A Primary. Andrew started 1st grade Sept. 8th and Austin just started preschool yesterday.
Andrew was quite eager to get back to school after a long and hectic summer. He cheerfully got on the bus the first morning back and has been excited to go everyday since. He loved his new classroom and teacher, and has even made some new friends. Unfortunately his best buddies (Noah and Robbie) aren't in his class this year, but they are both on his soccer team, so he has been able to maintain some old friendships that way. Here Andrew is all geared and ready to go like a pro with his new Transformers backpack...

And him running into the house after the bus ride home...

Austin, on the other hand did not want to start school. His attitude reminded me a lot like Andrew's when he was getting ready to start preschool. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that I have always been a stay-at-home mom with them and since I watch extra kids, we rarely go elsewhere for playdates and such. We had talked to him all summer long about starting school and how much fun he would have learning new things and meeting new friends. For a minute we even had him convinced to go. And then yesterday hit and his stubborness kicked in full throttle. I first had to persuade him to get out from underneath the kitchen table when it was time to go, con him into putting his shoes and coat on, and then literally hold him down in the car to get his seatbelt on. Once we got to the school, he was happy to go in and "visit" his classroom, with the exception that I stay with him. I got him in his classroom and even got him to put all his stuff away in his cubbie. After that I slowly tried to sneak out the door, but he kept walking after me. Finally I hid behind some other parents and snuck out the door with them. I did hang back to see what he would do, and sure enough he started walking out of the classroom to come find me. His teacher quickly stopped him and sat at the door with him a good 5 minutes trying to convince him to sit at a table, all the while with him saying "I'm not going to school EVER". After a while I finally left and headed home. Well, I am not quite sure what she said to finally get him in his chair, but he came home off the bus happy as a lark, excited to go back today. Here is a good shot of Austin ready to go to school with his Spiderman backpack before his little meltdown...

And him coming home on the bus happy as can be...

I'm very excited to see what the school year brings for each of them. Andrew is such a quiet, yet eager learner while Austin is more of a free spirited child with a lot of energy. It's just nice to at least have the two of them in school so I can focus on the 2 younger kids and get some quality time in there. With how fast they seem to be growing, it won't be long before they are all in school and I will no one left to snuggle with during the day :(

Smiling Baby...

Alexis hits the 3 month mark in a few short days, and it's hard to believe she is already a quarter of a year old. It seems like just yesterday she was still hanging out in my womb and I was anticipating her arrival. Today I was FINALLY able to pack up all her newborn clothes and get out her 0-3 month clothes. And that is not a typo - she is JUST starting to fit into the 0-3 month size. It amazes me looking at pictures of when she was just born and seeing what a long way she's come. She actually has a little bit of baby chub to her and barely any hair - totally opposite of when she came out. She loves to kick her little legs in excitement and has started cooing within the last week. She also smiles, a lot! She loves playing in her bouncer and swinging in her swing. You can definitely tell she is the princess of the family because when she doesn't get her way, she screams her head off. The boys absolutely love her and I think she is beginning to recognize them. Austin finally held her for the first time a few weeks ago (he didn't claim her as his sister when she was born because she didn't have "white" hair like he did). I'm very anxious to see what the next 3 months have in store for us as she begins to roll and hopefully crawl. As for now, I don't mind her being my immobile cuddle bug :)

Waves of Fun...

I was FINALLY able to get out of the house and spend the day boating on Gull Lake with my dad, sister and neices. I didn't think I would be able to go boating at all this summer due to my pregnancy, but because Alexis came early, I at least got a couple chances to head out on the water. We spent an entire afternoon tubing and cruising the lake. It's definitely one of my more favorite summer activities and can't wait until the kids get old enough to join us on the tubes!

Courtney and I posing with my dad...

Courtney and I battling it out...

Megan and Courtney enjoying the ride...

Courtney and Audrey gliding over the waves...

My dad and Audrey relaxing on the water...

Alexis' 1st Photo Shoot...

I've been anxious to get Alexis' pictures taken since the day I found we were having a girl and finally, my "dream" came true. I was able to take her to her first photo shoot and she did great! I did go a little overboard and brought 3 different outfits, but it was so hard to choose just one cute outfit when she has so many adorable ones! It's kind of ironic, though, that my favorite pics are the ones of her naked... go figure!

Same pose as her brothers at 6 weeks...

Sleeping Peacefully...

All dressed up...

Tiny feet and hands...

Showers of Love...

This past Sunday my mom and sisters threw Alexis and I a "Wecome Home Baby Shower" at Megan's house. It was originally set up to be a baby shower before she came since she wasn't due until the end of this month, but in true girl fashion, Alexis came out early just so she wouldn't miss out on a party honoring her. Here is a pic of her and I in our party outfits (her dress was a lot cuter than my outfit :)

Many of our friends and family showed up with great gifts for my precious daughter. I swear the girl has more clothes than me now and can wear a different outfit everyday until she turns 1! She also got a lot of lovely handmade blankets and all the bedding & accessories to complete her bedroom set (and it looks great in there). She even got her very first 14k gold necklace with a heart charm and baby ring!

Everyone enjoyed holding and loving on her too! Since she was in the incubator in the nursery at the hospital when everyone was visiting, this was the first time most people got to hold her. Aunt Patty got some good snuggling time with her and absolutely loved it!

Even the little girls had to get in on holding her and they did so well! It was sooo precious!

She loved all the attention and was completely worn out by the end of the day! Sleepy baby...

All in all it was a great shower! I'm very grateful for wonderful friends and family that took time out of their weekend to make my little girl's shower so much fun! Thanks everyone!!!

Our New Norm...

Our family is finally together and complete! After what seemed like the longest 2 weeks of my life, Alexis officially came home from the hospital this past weekend. It was getting quite tiring driving back and forth between the hospital and home, trying to split my attention evenly between her and the boys. Jason had been home with the boys since the 4th of July when I was technically discharged from the hospital, but I was still able to stay at the hospital in a room by myself until Alexis was able to come home. As nice as it was to have a little extra healing time for myself before returning home to 3 rambunctious boys, I was definitely excited to get back home and back into my daily routine.

My last night at the hospital, I was finally able to have Alexis in my room so I could get used to taking care of her myself before they sent us home. Even though it was tiring waking her up to eat every 3 hours, I loved being able to do everything by myself with her. The next morning as soon as the neonatalogist made rounds and said she was good to go, we headed out the door.

Alexis in her carseat ready to go home...

She's soo tiny compared to her seat...

As soon as we pulled in the driveway the boys opened the door to the garage and ran out to greet their new little sister. Since she was in the nursery in an incubator, they never really got to see her up close so as soon as I felt comfortable enough, I let them hold her. Austin isn't really interested in the whole "new baby" thing, so only Andrew and Aaron took turns holding her and cheesing for the camera.

The first night home was pretty quiet without any visitors which helped us rest up for the next day which I knew was going to be really busy. Early the next afternoon, Alexis and I went to our first baby shower together for one of my bestfriends who is also having a little girl. After that, we came home and were visited by two of my cousins from Georgia, Stephanie & Nichole. Nichole's 1 1/2 year old daughter came too, and even brought some of her old clothes and toys to pass down to Alexis. They loved on her a ton and she was so content in their arms! We were even able to get a great snapshot of all us girls!

Stephanie and Alexis...

Nichole holding Alexis with little Emma close by...

Love these girls!...

Later that evening, Jason's sister stopped by with her hubby and son for a visit. After we bathed all the kids, I was able to snap a quick shot of all 5 Millard cousins together. 

After all of our company finally left, I tucked Alexis in for the night. She must've been worn out, because she slept so peacefully that night... like an angel!

The rest of our first week home was a little hectic due to a bunch of appointments and errands, but things are slowly starting to go back to normal. We've eased right into being a family of six and I hope things keep continuing to transition smoothly for us as time goes on :)