Honey Hill Orchard...

We went to Honey Hill Orchard with the playgroup for some apple picking. Kaila thoroughly enjoyed herself, as she always does, when she is around other kids and outside able to run around. Kenna enjoyed herself too, as she loves to be outside and probably can't wait to be able to run around with her Ate.

It was a really nice, quaint little orchard with some farm animals, apple picking area, raspberry picking area, a little maze for the kids, and a store & bakery with the most yummy apple cider and apple donuts. I think we might just go back one day for the treats!

Getting in there to feed the turkey...
I think this was after the turkey slightly nipped her hand...
The petting zoo area...
It's an apple!
Wandering through the orchard...
Freshly picked apple...
The girls...

Aloha Chicago Hawaiians Ho'olaule'a...

This past Saturday, we enjoyed a great day at the park with some fellow Hawai'i Islanders. We met up with some old friends, made some new friends, ate some ono local foods, and just soaked up some Hawaiian culture. It's always nice to get back to your "roots" once in a while :)

I was very surprised that Kaila wanted to put on her hula skirt and dance...
And dance she did...

Kaila dancing the hula...


Kaila & her new friend, Jade (she just called her 'little girl'), playing with the ipu...
Our spot...
One of the rare family photo ops we get...
It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed everything from the food to the company. To top it off, we caught this picture of the sunset on our way home.

Kenna is 9 months old!

Kenna is growing like a weed! I swear it was just yesterday that I did her 8 month post! I'm gonna say it again...wow, how time truly does fly by!

At her 9 month check-up she weighed in at 17 lbs. 12 oz. (40 %) and is 28 1/4 in. (80%) long. And again, just like with Kaila, the doctor said Kenna will be long and lean. We shall see about that because this child will eat about anything!

My ingenious block idea was destroyed within 3 seconds...
Happy 9 Months Kenna!
"Check out all my teeth."

Kaila starts Pre-School...

Kaila started her first day of Pre-School this past Tuesday and she did really well. We were able to leave her after about 5 attempts, without any fuss, and she seemed to really enjoy herself. Mommy & Daddy on the other hand, got really emotional and about shed a few tears :(

"I don't know about this guys."
"I think I'll be okay."
"Bye Mom & Dad!"
Waiting patiently to enter her classroom...
Getting familiar with her surroundings...
Her very own hook...

Her second day was a totally different story. Let's just say, she was very distraught after mommy left and tried to tackle the door down. It was really hard to leave her like that, but I knew once she got past the fact that I left, she would be fine. And she was :)

The start of her second day of pre-school...

Our Little Slugger...

Kenna has been really into playing with this little bat. She loves to swing it around and of course, put it in her mouth. Cisco and I joke that we might just have a little slugger in the making (aka Crystal Bustos) ;)

Ready...
Set...
SWING! Right into the mouth...
TOUCHDOWN! Oops, wrong sport ;)

Happy 2nd Birthday Morgan!

We went to the Sycamore Lake Rotary Park to help celebrate Morgan's 2nd birthday. It was a beautiful day out and Kaila really enjoyed playing with the girls.

Kaila, Ellie, and Morgan making chalk art...
Birthday cake...
Yum!

DeKalb Cornfest...

We went to the DeKalb Cornfest again this year in anticipation of getting some free corn, which we did last year with the Gilsons, but unfortunately we missed it. We arrived an hour too late and all the corn was gone :(

But we also went because ever since we came back from Disneyworld, Kaila has been into riding rides. Here she got to pick two rides she wanted to try; she picked the train and the carousel.

Choo-choo!
I'm sure she's trying to make friends...
Looking a little nervous...

Here...
she...

comes!

Rockford Discovery Museum...

We went to the Rockford Discovery Museum with the playgroup and the kids absolutely loved it! It was a bit overwhelming for Kaila because there was just SO much to do. She basically ran from exhibit to exhibit making sure to try everything out. It was a great museum and we hope to make it back there again soon.

Maybe one day she'll be able to build us a house ;)
The bubble exhibit was really neat...
Aubrey & Kaila...
Ben & Kaila...
That was fun!
She also loved the tractor exhibit. She spent a good 20 minutes playing in and around it.

Another one of her favorite things to do is to cook. Here she is making a pizza.
Kenna got to have some fun too!
She really enjoyed climbing for the blocks.
Happy to be down and moving around.