Apple Picking On Hookie Day

Last Friday Claire had off of school so me, Mark, and Oliver all played hookie and we went apple picking!  The weather originally called for super cold temperatures and rain but it ended up being a beautiful day.  There is something magical about playing hookie.  It's not like a Saturday or a Sunday or even a vacation day....it's more like a snowday.  It's a free day.  It's a Hookie Day.  A day to do whatever you want, with no rushing around.  It is a more relaxing day.  My God, even the sun shines differently on a Hookie Day.  Maybe it's because I spend the entire day thinking, "Oh, right now I would be doing calendar."  or "Right now we would be at lunch."  Who knows.  All I know is everyone deserves a good Hookie Day.  I sure did enjoy mine.  It was so nice to just be with my family with no worries, no rushing around, and no commitments.  Just me and my perfect little family.  It was a perfect Hookie Day.

Me and my babies on Hookie Day.

I can't believe how big Claire is getting.  Her and Mark did a great job scoping out the trees and picking just the right ones.

Oliver used his usual "work smart, not hard" motto and found a tree just his size and picked about 1,000 apples off of it.

He did manage to grab a few apples from some of the higher trees.

Claire made sure that she got the biggest apple from the highest point possible.

 I was the only one who wanted the green apples.   But after a while Claire agreed to help me pick some.

I thought this was the coolest thing!  This apple actually grew this way!  The stem is attached at the bottom.  Mark and Oliver didn't think too much of it but Claire and I were blown away!

Claire had a blast apple picking but I am pretty sure that she loved the animals even more.

She buddied up with the farm dog and she followed Claire around for a while.  It was really sweet, when we were leaving the dog actually followed Claire up to the car to say good bye.  Needless to say, Claire loved that.

 Once we had all of our stuff, we loaded up our loot.

Then we worked together as a team to take it to the farmer to pay for it.

Oliver really enjoyed apple picking but I am pretty sure the highlight of his day was pulling the wagon.

He actually pulled it all the way back to the car, all by himself with no help!  I can't believe how old these two are!  I know, I know I say it all the time!  But click HERE to see the first time we all went apple picking together and you will see what I mean!

After apple picking we had to go to Canada to pick up Mark's race packet for his marathon on Sunday.  While we were there we decided to have a quick lunch at Margaritaville!  The kids absolutely love this place!  Oliver loved wearing his pirate hat!

And Mark did too!!  

Claire loved the whole place.

Overall, it was a perfect day!  The kind of day that I know I will remember for a long time!  We just had a great time and enjoyed being together.  There was no rushing around or trying to get 1,000 things done.  Just us hanging out together.  It was the perfect Hookie Day.

I had to add this in.  Here is Claire next to a picture of Mark when he was a few years older than Claire.  Someone looks just like her Daddy!!!!

Kathy's Crusaders

Today we all rallied together to support my mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer about a month ago.  She is doing very well and I am so proud of how strong she has been.  The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk was this morning so we put together a team to raise money for breast cancer and to support my mother in her fight.  A special thank you goes out to Jessica, who put this entire walk together and even got us team shirts!!

I couldn't fit everyone in one shot so I had to take three.

I am so thankful for everyone taking time out of their busy schedules to spend the morning with us supporting a great cause.

Everyone was up early and ready to walk!

Everyone looked great in our team shirts.

Lauren and my Mom, such gorgeous ladies.

Nana and her grandbabies. The kids had a blast.

Another attempt at a family photo.

The Cappellis!  Nick and Nicholas rocked the pink with style!

Mrs. Caruana and Jacqie looked beautiful as always while they supported the cause!

John rocked his pink shirt!

 Jessica planned the whole thing and I can't thank her enough.  Today never would have happened if it wasn't for her. We love you Jess!!!!!!

 Greg and Sue had a wedding to go to but they made time this morning to come out!

My father was there to support my mother, as always.

The Balkos came out and Brendan looked so handsome in his pink (and Bob did too).

 My mother actually ran into her surgeon!!!  I thought it was wonderful that this doctor took the time out of her ridiculously busy schedule to support this event!  She is the best!

Claire was thrilled to play with John's dog.

 My father and my Uncle Dave looked so handsome in their pink!

Oliver loved reading the map and telling everyone where to go.

The kids did great!  Here they are about the cross the finish line.

John and Nicole definitely dressed to impress.

And of course, they were very serious the whole time.

Claire had to get in on the fun.

It was a wonderful day and the weather held out for us and thank God it did not rain! 

Nana's Birthday And The Pumpkin Patch

We had a great weekend celebrating Nana's birthday and going to the pumpkin patch.  It was a great weekend spent with both sides of the family!

Claire loved picking out a special cake for Nana.

 Oliver loved playing with Uncle Johnny!  

And having some serious conversations.

 And Oliver was beyond thrilled to play police officer with Uncle Johnny.  He was amazed when John gave him his badge to carry around.  He kept saying, "This is my badge!"

We all had a great time celebrating Nana's birthday and just spending time together.

Happy birthday Nana!  We love you more than words can say!

After celebrating Nana's birthday on Saturday, we all got a good night's sleep and headed to the pumpkin farm to meet up with our other side of our family.  Claire and Oliver were so excited to see Owen.

And we all couldn't wait to see baby Kayden!  He was so good the whole time!  He didn't make a peep.  I think he loved his first trip to the pumpkin patch.

Oliver loved hanging out with Uncle Kevin.

The kids are all getting so big!  They were able to ride the train all by themselves.

They loved the spider web.

 These three are so cute together.

It won't be long until Kayden is in the mix with these three!

The kids (and Mark) loved the huge slide!

Claire loved going down all by herself.

And of course, Oliver had to do something different and be daring!

Claire and Owen loved taking the lead to walk us through the cornmaze.

This was the best we could do for a family shot.  I love this gang!

After the pumpkin patch, we headed to Brian and Erin's for a nice dinner.  My mother bought the kids these mustache straws and the kids loved them!

Claire's a little blurry but she loved her straw.

And of course, Oliver hammed it up with his straw!

Even the adults had fun with their straws.

Erin gave us this great dinosaur costume for Oliver and he beyond excited to wear it around and roar at everyone!  We had a hard time getting it off of him!  And Owen loved showing off his Batman costume!

Aunt Erin made a special dessert for Mark's birthday (with some healthy fruit for the Ironman) and we all sang happy birthday to the birthday boy!

It was a great weekend!  I love when I can spend the whole weekend with both sides of my family.  The kids had a blast and the adults love to hang out and chat!  It was a perfect weekend.