Days with the Dorans

We have been so busy this fall.  We literally haven't had a single day off in... I don't know how long!  Halloween is less than a week away and we don't even have pumpkins yet! So with Ali's dance not starting until 7:30 and a BEAUTIFUL fall day, we decided to head out to our favorite pumpkin patch for our annual picture, a hayride and some pumpkins.  Sean and I met Jeff, the Bigs and my folks there. They were already eating donuts and splitting a half gallon of cider ($12.50 OUCH). In years past, Jeff used to go to Long's (the farm) quite often for their donuts and cider but with their major increase in prices the last couple years, we haven't been going and this was our first and only trip of the season. As always, after our treats, we sat down for a family photo.  It was actually quite perfect (as perfect as our family can get).  Sean was happy to be at the "Puckin Patch" and for once he seemed to just sit and smile for a while.  It wa...

After a very long day, it was time to head back to the farm to go on a hayride and get our pumpkins. Thankfully (unlike their rip-off for the playground) they were running a HUGE deal which was $1 hayrides and $5 pumpkins. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) for Jeff, he couldn't join us. He spent all night sick and I spent the night on the couch. I feel horrible for him remembering how MISERABLE I was- but I (thankfully) had a weekend to try to get back to functioning... At least now that nasty flu has gone through the entire family never to come back again (I hope). Jeff spent all day sleeping so it was good for the kids and I to get out of the house and let him continue sleeping! Sean had a great day at my folks' (my mom took the Littles back to their place to watch them since Jeff was home sick), but it seemed once we got to the farm, he decided all his 'goodness' was used up and it was time to be "Terrible Two". Thankfully once we got in the wa...

Ah... Fall! It is my favorite season~ beautiful colors, wonderful smells, crisp air, warm donuts, cooked pumpkin seeds... I also think "Family Picture" when fall arrives. We have pictures of our family of three when Joe was just a month old and have done it every year since (many posted on this blog). We always go to a family farm in our town and this year was no different. It seems over the years the little farm has grown, and grown and grown. I am happy for their booming business. We usually stay away on weekends for that reason but yesterday the weather was just too beautiful, so we loaded up the troops and were off! When we got there it WAS packed. There was no way we were going to wait in line for donuts and cider, but thought we would let the kids play in the playground and see the goats and such. That was until we noticed that our usual 'free' farm was now $8 PER PERSON! So with my mom (who snaps the pictures) that would have cost us over $50! (That...

When Joe was just a month old, we went to a nearby pumpkin patch and had our first 'family' picture. Since then, we've taken one every year and it has become somewhat of a tradition. We go during the week when it is less crowded, in hopes of getting a good pic without too many people in the background. So Jeff brought the Bigs after school, I picked up the Littles and we met at the patch. My folks came too (which is how we get the family picture). Ali Jane was dressed for ballet but she wasn't fully dressed because she had no smile! That's right... it has also become a tradition of sorts that during pictures, Ali Jane gets upset and pouts... It reminds me of that first picture I took of all the kids together (after Sean was born) in the hospital . I don't mind that our family pictures tend to have someone 'off' in them... it just adds to the story. This time Ali Jane was upset because as we were going to find a place to sit for our fami...

Fall is by far my favorite season! I love the cool crisp air, the colors, the smells, the tastes... (pumpkin pies... pumpkin seeds... all things pumpkin!) When Jonasen was one month old we went to this locally owned orchard/pumpkin patch/farm and took some cute pics of our new family. We got some great pictures and so going each year and getting 'that picture' became our tradition! (Along with feeding goats, choosing pumpkins and enjoying warm donuts and cider!) It was a beautiful day and so we took advantage of the weather. It was hard but I managed to pop in the contacts, put on a little make-up and even get into some jeans- (no where near my regular size... don't worry!) I haven't been feeling great but I was anxious to get that picture and with such a new little guy, and living in Michigan, I knew that when a 'good-weather' day comes, you need to take advantage of it! My folks came and so did my six-month-old niece, Maddy. We tried for the pictur...

Fall Fun! Can you believe this? Our non-tech saavy mommy told us how to start our very own blog! (Actually Joey's Godmommy Pammy told us about it) This is a pic of us from the Pumpkin Patch. Every year we have gone to Long's Pumpkin Patch to get yummy donuts and cider, pick out our pumpkins, and say hello to all of the animals. Nana Drapal comes as our personal photographer and has taken this picture for 5 years now! Our first pic was when Jonasen was just a month old. It's not easy to take good pics since mommy keeps spittin out the kids! Mommy can't find all of the pics, but here you can see how we've grown a bit.