Gavin's a First Grader!

Gavin started first grade today. He was very excited but also very nervous! They did a lot of rennovating at his school this summer so it was like going to a brand new school. I took him to school and he rode the bus home. I always worry that he will get off at the wrong stop. Today Mark and I waited and waited for him to get off the bus. The bus was really late so I was getting a little worried, but he made it home and had a great first day of school!

Gavin decked out in his new school attire.

Gavin's teacher is Miss Hogg. He loves his new classroom and his new desk.

Mom's Birthday

We had a great party for my Mom's Birthday! She will probably be mad at me for posting these pictures but she was such a good sport! Riley got her sunglasses, a crown, and a wand so she could be a princess for a day. And boy did she look beautiful! We were so glad we were there to celebrate!

Grandma's entrance to the party!

Madison also thought it was necessary for Grandma to carry the princess coloring book.

Grandma blowing out the candles. I guess you have to try really hard when you have that many candles to blow out! We sure love you Mom!

Rolling Hills Ranch

One of our favorite places to visit in Ohio is Rolling Hills Ranch. It is in Amish Country and they take you on a wagon ride through 80 acres to feed all the animals. The animals walk right up to the wagon and you feed them from a bucket. It is so beautiful and we see all kinds of animals.

Grandpa Binks and the grandkids. They sure love their grandpa!

This is how close all the animals would get and some of them would take the bucket from your hands. So we had to hold on tight!

This large animal resembled an elk but I can't remember the name of it. Everyone got a chance to feed him. He was one of the few large animals that didn't try to rip the bucket out of your hands. I know from experience because I had a pretty serious tug of war with one of the elk. I almost fell off the wagon but I was not about to let him get it. Luckily, I kept the bucket and stayed on the wagon!

Mark really enjoys harassing the animals. He gets some of them pretty mad and they chase us through the park. I'm just waiting for one of them to get him back.

They also have a petting zoo. Gavin and Madison loved petting all the animals.

Our Little Vacation

When Mark finished school this summer we went to visit my Mom and Dad in Ohio. We always have so much fun when we go. It is so beautiful and peaceful there. We spent our time riding horses, going to the lake, feeding the animals at Rolling Hills Ranch, and celebrating my Mom's 50th birthday. It was a nice and relaxing trip and just what we needed!

Gavin learned how to ride the horse all by himself this year. Every free time he had he would spend on the horses. And of course he couldn't do it without a cowboy hat.

What a handsome cowboy! Madison enjoyed riding the horses too. She wasn't as brave as Gavin and wasn't quite ready to ride by herself. Her favorite thing was feeding the horses carrots and apples.

We went to a lake near my parents house. Not only was there a lake but a swimming pool too. Gavin, Madison, and Hobbs had so much fun playing in all the water!

This is a picture of my dad in the hammock. I thought it was so funny because it was so close to touching the ground. But doesn't he look comfortable!

Gavin and I taking a little rest!

We even ventured out on the raft. We didn't make it very far because Gavin and Madison wanted to jump out every few inches.

It's a ????

Today was the day we have been waiting for and we were so excited to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. We were SHOCKED to find out that we are having twins! We are having a boy and a girl. I have been known to joke about things so I have posted a few ultrasound pictures for those of you who may not believe me. You will see baby AA which is a girl and baby BB which is a boy. Gavin and Madison are so excited! They each got what they wanted. Madison has been telling me all along that I would have a boy and a girl and she was right. I am a little overwhelmed to say the least but we are so excited for these babies to come!

A few things we have been up to...

Mark and I took the kids to the St. Louis Zoo to see the Dinoroarus exhibit. Gavin loves dinosaurs and has really been wanting to go. They had life size dinosaurs that moved and roared. One of them even spit water at the kids. It was a really fun exhibit and the kids really had a good time.

Madison was very hesitant and didn't dare turn her back on the dinosaurs which made it difficult to get a picture. She also wanted to touch them because she was amazed that they moved. When I tried to help her touch one she was too scared. When we got home she told everyone that the dinosaurs had batteries.

Gavin kept his distance from this dinosaur becuase it was the one that spit water all over him.

Mark really enjoyed the exhibit too!

This is the Tyrannasaurus Rex. This is the dinosaur that Gavin was so anxious to see. Gavin brought his camera and took pictures of all the dinosaurs himself. He really had a good time and is trying to talk us into taking him again before September.

My parents came to visit a few weeks ago and we went to Grant's Farm for my nephew's birthday. Gavin and Madison always enjoy feeding the goats and petting the animals. Madison is such an animal lover and it's hard to get her out of the pen. Usually the goats start eating her clothes so that makes her get out a little quicker. We sure had a fun visit with Grandpa and Grandma Binks!

Gavin always had a herd of goats following him.

Madison enjoyed feeding the goats. I think the goats were probably a little frustrated because she would only feed them for a second. She wanted to make sure none of the goats went hungry so she tried to feed every one.

I think Madison gave a hug to every goat in the pen. She sure loves animals.

A fun picture with Grandpa and Grandma.

And finally our most exciting update is we are having a baby! I am due January 1. Gavin and Madison are so excited and can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl. Of course Gavin wants a brother and Madison wants a sister. Although Madison says quite frequently that I am going to have both. The ultrasound is scheduled for August 12 so stay tuned!