{fall 2011}

Once again I find myself having to apologize for not posting in so long. I'm sure you're getting tired of hearing "We've been very busy", but it's the honest truth. I even have some pictures to share from THE SUMMER!

So, to get right down to business, here are some shots from a trip to the zoo at the end of the summer. We had a really nice time -- the kids navigated using the zoo maps and I don't think they missed anything, including the peacocks that wander around the zoo interacting with the people and feeding the giraffes.

We've had an interesting fall. The weather was beautiful for quite a while, then it got really cold and rained for days on end, and these last few days it has been beautiful again. So far we enjoyed a visit from Aunt Debbie (and went to the apple orchard), a visit from Grandma and Grandpa for Rosh Hashana, a family trip to the pumpkin patch, and Morgan's class trip to the apple orchard. Here's a glimpse:

Morgan's picture day at school was a couple of weeks ago. Doesn't she look cute?

Morgan is taking dance again, this time it's ballet and hip hop. They're really so cute! I took this video a few weeks ago with my phone -- enjoy!

Gerard is taking a hip hop class, too, and I'll post video of him sometime soon.

{saturday night date night}

Who needs fancy restaurants when you can have homemade sloppy joes, chopped salad and local corn with your two sweethearts?

{up to my eyeballs in cookies!}

I can happily report that I have been very busy with cookie orders! Here is a glimspe of some recent ones:

Mah Jong tiles for my mom and Arleen were tiny and a lot of work, but worth it in the end:

Soutwestern cookies for a friend of my parents who was recovering from surgery:

More hibiscuses, this time in pink and purple for a birthday:

Back to school gift boxes that I advertised on Facebook. I got so many orders (20!) that I had to turn people down! Several people who RECEIVED these cookies have already placed their own orders!

Piano keys and soccer ball for 2 of my favorite neighbor girls who were having a rough week:

By far my most detailed cookies yet. These New Balance sneakers were for my personal trainer. I had a friend take a picture of her actual shoes and I made cookies!

Gerard couldn't decide if he wanted to bring Pokemon cookies or cupcakes to his class to celebrate his birthday, so I gave him the best of both worlds: mini Pokeball cookies on top of cupcakes! (His class went wild!)

One of the teachers who received the back to school cookie gift box ordered these custom baby cookies. Her mom ("nana") watches her new baby (Caroline) while she is at work and she wanted to thank her.

Someone bought back to school cookies for the office staff at Gerard's elementary school and then one of the secretaries called me and ordered Elmo cookies for her granddaughter. I forgot to take pictures of those, but you can see other Elmos I have done HERE.

{back to school}

It's been a busy few weeks here with school starting. Gerard still likes his teacher and is adjusting to the new demands of 3rd grade. He is responsible for bringing me his agenda to sign every day, he has homework at least twice a week, plus swimming lessons one night and Morgan's dance class another night. This past Saturday was also his EIGHTH birthday. I cannot believe he is 8!

Morgan also had her first day of school on Monday and LOVES her teacher Mrs. H. It was actually a short first day so they could "meet the teacher" (even though it is the same teacher as last year). Her real official first day of school is this coming Monday and she asks EVERY DAY if she can go to school yet. I love that she loves school so much.

Sometime in the middle of everything I've been making more cookies. I have a lot of pictures to share (cookies AND kids), so I think I'll do them in two posts. First, the pictures of the kids:

Gerard enjoying his birthday cupcakes at school:

Morgan's first day of school (check her out on her first day last year):

Today was picture day for Gerard:

{it's the most wonderful time of the year}

First day of school!!!! Gerard was excited this morning (although a little tired). He was excited to start a new school (he's at the Intermediate School this year, which houses 3rd through 5th grades), he likes his teacher, and he's happy to see his friends. I think Morgan is excited too -- she likes the peace and quiet while he's gone. :)

Of course, here are the obligatory pictures. I love it that when we went outside to take them we could see at least 2 of our neighbors doing the same.

I can't believe how much he's changed. Check him out last year.