Annual Apple Picking Day

Every year, the Kellogg/Skiver/Petersen clan heads out to Erwin's Orchards to pick apples. The last few years we've been going on the day they start picking the Honeycrisp apples. This year was Hayden's first day of first grade, so he wasn't able to join us, and Jess and Justin were in Florida Rocking the Universe. So Jill, Talan, Mom, Dad, Rainah and I took on the task ourselves. It was a gorgeous, warm day and the kids knew exactly what to do as soon as the wagon dropped us off. They did a great job and only left a few dozen half-eaten ones on the ground. When we were done picking we let the kids play on the bikes and in the straw maze for while before getting our AMAZING donuts! The bees started attacking, so we didn't stick around to eat them at the orchard, but most of us dug in as soon as we got home.

As a tradition, mom always makes apple high rise pancakes for dinner and they were delish! Another great outing with lots of fun, and of course, tons of photos:

This one didn't want to leave his home...

But she was determined

Oops

One of her scores

They love hugging

Doesn't that face just say TROUBLE?

A Trip to the Toledo Zoo

This morning, Rainah and I tagged along with Jill and the boys and Heather Wood and her kiddo's on their annual zoo trip. Nancy and Isaac also came along to hang out with us. Usually they hit the Detroit Zoo, but this year they decided to try out the Toledo Zoo. It was a gorgeous zoo with a great layout and lots of things to see and do. It was a gorgeous day and the kids were all really great- most of them even crashed in the car on the drive home.
Thanks for letting us come along and Happy Birthday, Jill!

Rainah, Hayden, Ellanore, Henry, and Cordelia watching the seals swimming

All clearly terrified of this polar bear

Checking out the polar bear

See his little face smooshed in the corner??

Our monkeys watching the monkeys- they were great... chasing each other all over the place (the monkeys, not the kids)

Cordelia, Talan, Henry, Hayden, Ellanore, Isaac, and Rainah

Rainah LOVED this gorilla for some reason

Really loved it

Yep, she's still on the gorilla

Isaac, Hayden, and Rainah (who was obviously not cooperating)

The aquarium

The bird that tried to carry my baby away

Hippo butt

Henry and Ellanore

Rainah and Talan seemed to like each other's strollers more than their own

And each other's snacks


The adorable Cordelia

Rainah, Henry, Talan, Hayden, and Ellanore

Ellanore and Henry on the safari train

Heather, Cordelia, Me, Rainah, Isaac, and Nancy

Carousal ride

Talan and Jill

Heather, Cordelia, Henry, and Ellanore

Talan, Jill, and Hayden

Nancy and Isaac

Rainah and me