I am loving the fall weather today. The last couple days have been a little bit too cold, but today the sun is out and it feels great. Ben played for a while in the backyard this afternoon. He searched around for leaves, rocks, and pine cones. I hope the nicer weather stays around...I'm not ready to break out the winter jacket yet! Ben watching a big truck drive past on the street behind our house. He didn't really need to wear a hat, but he begged for one as I was putting his coat on. Hopefully he'll still feel that way when he actually needs one on. Looking at some leaves he found. His first pine cone discovery of the day. Crawling under a tree to get another pine cone. Trying to shove one of the pine cones down a much too small hole in his swingset.

Curt completed the Fort4Fitness half-marathon (13 miles) this morning! I am so proud of him. He is VERY HAPPY to have it over with. I'm not sure another marathon is in his future. :) Curt at about 5:30 this morning, before he left for the race. Coming home from the race at about 10:30. After he was done running, he rested for a while and ate some food before heading home.

My nieces Mya and Emma turned eight on Saturday, so we spent the weekend in Grand Rapids visiting friends and family. Saturday morning we headed to my best friend Rachel's house. It was nice to spend a couple hours visiting together. In the afternoon, we had the birthday party at my parent's house. After that that we stopped in to visit with my Grandma & Grandpa Bierema. It was a busy day! Sunday after church, Curt got his last big run in. He'll just do a couple shorter runs this week. He is ready for his 1/2 marathon on Saturday. I'm proud of him for sticking to his training! I'm sure he will be very excited when it's over with. :) Luke, Ben, and Jackson ready for the game in their Michigan State shirts. Our family posing for a quick picture. The birthday girls...Emma and Mya. Ben enjoying some cake and ice cream. Emma blowing some bubbles for Mya, Ben, and Caleb to chase in the backyard.

I haven't been to the mall in a while, so I thought today was a good day to go. After I did a little shopping, Ben played in the children's area. It was completely empty when we got there. I was so happy because the last couple times I've stopped there it has been packed with kids. Then, we met Curt down in the food court from some lunch. :) Ben ready to go down the slide. Ben had so much fun running from toy to toy without any big kids trying to run him over! Curt took Ben for a ride on the carousel after we ate lunch. Ben would wave to me as they passed and say, "Hi momma!" Too sweet. :)

I saw a recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins on my sister-in-law Betsy's blog. Ben helped me make them. He loves to watch what I am doing in the kitchen. After they came out of the oven, we each had a muffin. They were so yummy! I love pumpkin and the chocolate chips just make them even more delicious! Some of the muffins cooling after coming out of the oven. The recipe makes 24 muffins and a loaf of bread. Ben taking a big bite! He clapped and said "Yum!" in between bites. (He wouldn't look directly at me because he was also watching Handy Manny ...that takes priority over a picture). :)

It is hard to stay away from the zoo, since we have a family pass. We do seem to end up going there all the time. It's nice to have the pass because then I don't feel like I need to squeeze in every part of the zoo each time we visit. Today, we just went to a few of Ben's favorite parts and took our time. Ben LOVES the giraffes. I was happy to see Jelani (the male giraffe) up by the fence and eating some leaves that the zoo keeper was feeding him. Last time we were there, none of the giraffes came close to the fence. Beating on a drum. There was no one else around at the time, so Ben was able to run from drum to drum trying them all out. He said the wanted to "ride" on this turtle. I don't think the "ride" was everything Ben was hoped it would be. As we were leaving the goats today, Ben looked back, waved and said, "Bye goats." So sweet. :)

We headed out to the country this morning to see the Grabill parade. I wasn't sure that Curt would want to go (he is NOT a parade person). I think he had a good time. :) It was nice to do something out of the ordinary. Ben got lots of candy, a balloon, and a "Statue of Liberty" hat. The balloon and his hat quickly became his favorite items. He didn't let them out of his sight until nap time. Ben and Curt waiting for the parade to start. Ben wouldn't look at me because he was too busy eating his goldfish crackers. We promised Ben that he would see horses today and the parade did not disappoint. Ben wearing his awesome "Statue of Liberty" hat.

I took Ben out to the Grabill Fair this morning. We met my friend Erin and her son Will. I had a delicious lemon shake-up and a fish sandwich for lunch. I shared them with Ben and he loved the lemonade! We checked out the rides and they said that kids even as young as Will (he's 13 months) could ride on them. So, we let the boys ride on the planes. Ben had fun, until the end when he started to get nervous. It lasted a long time and he was probably afraid he was never getting out of that plane! Ben riding in the yellow plane. Will having a good time in his red plane. He smiled the whole ride! Ben and Will looking at some baby chicks.

Curt's sister, Betsy, her husband Mark, and kids Jacob, Jenna, and Peyton came from Lansing to visit us for the weekend. It was so much fun to spend time with them! Ben loved having so many people to play with. This morning, we took them to the zoo because they had never been there before. It was fun to show them a place that I love to take Ben. Jacob and Jenna posing for their first (of many) zoo pictures. :) All of the kids going for a ride in the African Safari. The ostriches got really close to the fence. Ben kept trying to reach out to touch them and I was afraid he was going to get bitten. Jenna (in the red shirt) got to go for a pony ride. She rode a cute horse, with the shortest legs, named Sadie. Ben trying on a hat. Curt and Ben going for a ride on the carousel. Trying to get all of the kids in a picture. Ben was nervous to try out a tunnel and all of the other kids encouraged him until he made it through. Curt and Ben feeding some ducks and geese. Peyton brushi...

We met Patty and Olivia today at the pool in their subdivision. It was a warm beautiful day to enjoy the pool and sit outside. Besides the big pool, there is also a little kiddie pool just perfect for the kids to play in. Patty and I also carried the kids around in the big pool for a little bit. Ben spent most of his time there walking around and eating his snacks. :) Olivia and Ben testing out the water with their toes.