Pigtails!

For church this morning I decided to try pigtails in Aubrey's hair for the first time. I thought church would be a good place to test them out since it would only be for a couple hours. They turned out ADORABLE:) I didn't get any pictures of her in her church outfit, but here she is playing outside while Daddy was grilling!

Autumn Acres

Since it was a beautiful fall afternoon we decided to take Aubrey to Autumn Acres in Oskaloosa. I have heard a lot about this place especially since my students often go here on field trips but we had never gone before until today! Aubrey had a fun time I think. She maybe was a bit too little for some of the things but we all had a great afternoon! Here is what we did!

the ropes course

we went out on a hayride and got out to pick an ear of corn 

family photo on the hayride 

barnyard billy even joined us!

going up the big slide. . . here we go!

daddy waiting with Aubrey for their turn

weeeeeeeeeee!

weeeeeeeeeeee!

playing in the corn box 

more corn box

good thing she wore pants or there would be corn all over!

playing in the inner-tubes 

launching and apple to try to win $50

(and we also did the corn launch)

view from the pirate ship of the whole area

going up to the top of the pirate ship

"ARRRGGG" I'm a pirate!

way up high...walking the plank

riding the little train

all by herself...such a big girl!

 awwww :)

checking out the corn maze 

drink in hand walking the rows 

peek a boo through the corn

more slide fun!

she would've done this all day long!

painting a mini pumpkin...first Mommy showing her how

then she wanted to do it all by herself!

ending the day with a little tether ball! 

Culvey

Tonight we went out to celebrate Steve's completion of his Master's Degree and Andrea's completion of her BA Degree.  Mom, Dad, Steve, Jen, Aubrey, Dan and Andrea all went out to eat in Altoona at the Big Steer.  We then went for dessert at Culver's. It was all very yummy! Thank you!

While we were at Culver's, Uncle Dan was kind enough to follow Aubrey around the restaurant as she ran around. After several trips around the place, the manager came out and gave Aubrey a little stuffed animal ice cream cone! Too sweet! She was the only one that was saw that got that! Super fun!

Here she is loving on her new friend who we called "Culvey" at Culver's

She then fell asleep with "Culvey" in hand on the way home! :)

18 month stats

We had Aubrey's 18 month Dr's appointment today and here are her stats! 

Head Circ: 18" (24%)
Weight: 21 lbs and 2 oz (7%)
Length: 32 3/4 in (82%)

So, in the past three months, Aubrey has grown 1 1/2 inches and lost a pound! Also, what a strange combination of being 82 % for length and 7% for height! :) No wonder she needs 24 mo shirts and still in the 9-12 mo pants! LOL I guess she is built like her Daddy!

Things she is into lately:

• jibber-jabbering and talking a lot 
• EX: she was just in the tub tonight and was using the drain chain as her telephone and this is what I heard "Hi, Jibber Jabber, oh, jibber jabber, oh, jibber jabber, oh, jibber jabber, babye" - too cute!
• babies and their bottles and blankies
• EX: she is even using her babies bottle as a pretend one for herself - silly girl
• Dora the Explorer 
• balls - especially kicking the soccer ball 
• coloring
• stickers
• singing and dancing
• praying/singing/dancing "Oh the Lord is good to me..."
• climbing on/up things, including her table
• going on walks in the stoller and out of 
• EX: tonight we went on a walk and she walked/run close to 3/4 a mile!

We sure love our sweet little 18 month old, Aubrey Dawn!

Pumpkinland in Orange City

Over the weekend, Steve headed to the Clay County Fair to show some cattle with the Kaisand Cattle Farm so Aubrey and I took a small detour and stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Van Grouw for a couple days.

All the girls and Gavin loaded into the van for a fun adventure!

Of course we had to stop at Culver's first!

Since it was a beautiful fall day, 

we went to Pumpkinland in Orange City.

There were many different toys for the girls to play on.

Staticky  hair in to playhouse.

There was a petting zoo too but 

Aubrey was more interested in the toys and rocks.  

"Hold hands, girls!"

Aubrey's favorite thing was to run in the open field and DANCE!

Having a nice meal of rocks together. 

What a cute little farmer, Aubrey!

She loved playing with the small stones.

Now everyone can hold hands!

Aubrey picked out her pumpkin that she wanted.

Because it was getting close to naptime, 

we just picked ones out from the selection they had in front.

We didn't actually go out to the patch...maybe next time.

Having fun carting around their wheelbarrows with their pumpkins

"Uh oh" a runaway pumpkin.

Good thing she got it and carried it back to the car. 

Tummy time with the kiddos.

Aunt Jessica painted the girls' toe nails.

This time they knew what to expect and did a much better job at sitting still.

Aubrey chose green for her toes :)

End to a great day with bathtime!