Labor Day Weekend

We had a great Labor Day weekend.  We were supposed to have my cousin Will's men's night at deer camp, and his fiance's wedding shower for the ladies last weekend, but it was rescheduled for this weekend due to Hurricane Irene.   It was a wonderful surprise to have Kate and Alice here again for a couple nights. They have been such trooper's to spend so much time here this summer, despite Kate being ready to pop with baby #2!  The kids have so enjoyed getting to play with their cousin Alice so much.  Isabel now refers to her as "Alice, my best friend!"  So cute!  The boys had a great time Saturday night at camp and us girls had a great time at Joanne's to celebrate Jane and her upcoming wedding!  All the girls, (Isabel, Alice and Emma) were all very well behaved.  Emma seems to be getting out of her crankiness and blood curdling screaming which is very nice!  It was a phase that didn't last too long, but a week or two is long enough!

Cooper on his way to camp.  Full camo with his new Thomas the Train boots!  

"Tough guy" pose

It was quite a warm afternoon/evening for the shower.  We can unprepared without bathing suits, but Joanne was kind enough to lend me and Casey her old ones so we could cool off with the girls. 

Happy!  

On Saturday morning, we went and picked the first apples of the season.  It was a lot of fun and we even made applesauce later that weekend.

Happy Valley Orchard

Tuckered out by the end of the adventure

Gumma and the kiddies

My pretty girl

My handsome boy

The crew (including 8 1/2 month pregnant Kate)! 

We had a great visit with Great-great grandma Momere.  Emma was very content in her arms.  She's held quite a few babies in her time!  She has not lost her touch!

A happy mama!  

We wrapped up the weekend with a large gathering of about 10 kids and 30 adults on Sunday night at our house.  While it was quite a zoo, it was a lot of fun to catch up with friends that we haven't seen much this summer.  Needless to say, I didn't get a chance to take many pictures until the end of the night when we were left with just the Brushs for some down time before bed.  

And finally, Emma is growing quickly.  About 2/3 of the time she sleeps through the night (about 10 hours), and has become more easy going.  She's taking the bottle a lot better, now that we've found the right one for her (which I think is contributing to less gas, therefore less of the fussiness).   She's started to sit in the Bumbo, and is also starting to use her hands to knock the hanging toys on her playmate.  I am going to try to savor (and relax) a bit with her for the last few weeks before I go back to work!