Raising Schuurmans: October 2015

The weather is cooling down, leaves are changing, and it's a lovely time of year in the South. Here are a few pictures to showcase our growing children over the past few months. The highlight of our time thus far was our annual trip to the corn maze with my sister Olivia, her husband TJ, and their two boys Tyson and Hunter. We also celebrated our church being 100 years old and really enjoyed seeing friends who had moved and came back to town. It's been a great few weeks.

I kiss these sweet baby toes daily. It's getting cooler, so these little piggies will be covered up soon.

These boys smother this poor girl most days.

Can't keep shoes on them.

My Braves never had a chance, the Cards were best during the regular season, but are out now, so we're pulling for the Jays all the way!

She wasn't as impressed with the outfit as I was...

Love her so...

Mark praying at church - picture taken from Grandma Becky (who should've been praying, too - haha!)

Grandma Becky took this one also since both Stella and I were in pink (her favorite color).

Here's a picture of Grandma Becky. While she's not related to us biologically, we're church family together. She loves Jesus, playing the piano, our family, and pink...ANYTHING. She gave us a pink blanket when we had Marcus in hopes that he was a girl. Five years later, she got her wish.

Hunter was surrounded on both sides.

Cousins sliding together

Titus coming out of the tube slide and Olivia with Tyson.

The corn maze was too big, but this hay maze was just right for our little fellas.

Hay ride

Our whole crew filled most of the wagon on the hay ride.

This new bouncing pillow was a big hit with Marcus. Titus didn't care too much for it.

Titus and Hunter enjoyed the spider web.

Playing checkers with Daddy/Uncle Mark.

Shooting the corn cannon

Break time!

It's fair to say they were D-O-N-E.

Feed them, and they're happy again.

Aunt Liv and Stella got along great.

Sweet family

Love these little ones more than they'll ever know.

Meet Mae. She's 99 years old (will be 100 in December), and is the oldest living member of our church. Stella, being 3 months old, is the youngest member.

This is a picture of my mom holding me. Some are stunned at the resemblance between she and I. Others say our babies look like I did when I was a baby. And we still hear plenty of people say all our children look alike and look like their daddy. What say you?

September was a sweet month here in the mountains of North Carolina. We got to go to the Gun Show, Marcus turned five, we had visits from grandparents, and Baby Stella and her matching bows get cuter by the day. All that on top of starting Marcus in his Kindergarten work (officially) and Titus practically potty trained himself. Seriously, it was amazingly fast. I'm so grateful! Below are some pictures that we captured this month, along the way.

Bows and Toes - so cute!

Bread men in the making.

Cousins! Marcus, Titus, Stella, Hunter, & Tyson

Eating junk food at the Gun Show (another reason it's fun)

Corrupting their cousins to eat junk with them.

Hanging with Granddad

We also got to meet sweet baby Axl for the first time. He was born one day before Stella.

Marcus LOVED playing in the camper.

Holding hands - awww!

Titus was so tired he LITERALLY fell asleep like this.

Playing in Grandma B's front yard.

Hunter and Tyson got in on the camper action...

...and of course loved it, too.

Tyson had fun with Aunt Leah

Our last Tourists game of the season and the boys got ice cream!

After two weeks keeping his pull-ups dry, Titus wore big-boy underwear and never looked back!

Marcus teaching Titus his shapes and colors.

Granddad and Granny know our boy well. They got him this Cardinals cap for his birthday.

While Granddad was in town, we got out Marcus' BB gun and shot a few pop cans.

I'm not sure who enjoyed this more...

Yes you are, little one.

Another outfit...another matching bow. I seriously haven't bought ONE bow. They've all been given to us. Again, I'm so grateful!

For Day 1 of Marcus' birthday week, he got a big set of poster markers.

Sweetness.

On Day 2 we went to the WNC Mountain State Fair.

That's one big tractor tire.

Grandpa and Grandma Schuurman were in town, so it was extra special.

I snuck this picture of them holding hands as we walked through the fair. All these years later, they still like each other!

Titus LOVED the pig races.

It lasted all of 15 seconds, but it's hilarious, I tell ya.

Day 3 took us to Skytop Apple Orchard.

This was last year's picture. :)

It's an orchard that's LITERALLY on top of the mountain. The views were great (even the mountains looked good...)

Hay Ride!

Photo Credit to Grandpa Schuurman :)

Bamboo Forest - so fun!

Perfect fit!

For Stella's first visit, we need to see how much she will grow for next year.

Playing Chutes and Ladders is fun for all.

Balloons for the birthday boy!

Day 4 was the day he could pick out any toy of his choice (within reason) at the Toy Box.

Lunch at Firehouse Subs with Grandma

He's been talking about it for months. All he wanted was a Jason Heyward jersey.

So we got him one. The smile on his face says it all.

All decked out and ready to play.

Day 5 was go-carts at the Fun Depot!

There they go!

Mini bowling was included, too.

Even Titus got a turn.

Grandpa and Grandma Schuurman with their newest granddaughter.

"This place is so much fun!"

Unlike Marcus, Titus is a big Jays fan.

The day after Marcus' birthday, we dressed up like pirates to get free doughnuts at Krispy Kreme.

Two dozen free doughnuts just for dressing them up.

Grandpa and his little stinkers.

With half their grandkids.

Three generations of beautiful Schuurmans.

On Day 6 we had a small get-together with a few friends to celebrate this adorable boy turning five.

I went ONE day without putting a bow on Stella and TWO people said something about my "son," both within 10 minutes of each other. Never again will I let that happen...