Our fall Saturday schedule has included alot of time spent watching the kids play their weekly games on the soccer fields. One recent Saturday afternoon we supplemented our usual game schedule with a trip to Hartland Orchard, in Markham, Virginia. Apple picking seems to have changed over the years, from a necessary agricultural labor, to a fun fall afternoon activity for the whole family.

And it was fun. The weather was beautiful. Perfect, really. We were a week or two late for most of the harvest, but there were still a few apples on the trees. And there were plenty of apples and cider for sale at the nearby farmhouse.

[slideshow]

Back in May of 2006 Kayleigh had a dance recital...

Lynne, Kristin, and Laura joined us in Haymarket for this big annual event. Afterward we went out for an early dinner. Of course Kayleigh got to choose where we would dine, and she picked a local Japanese restaurant. Japanese? Every time I think I have these kids figured out they find a new way to surprise me. I had no idea even what to order. The kids helped me.

[more photos]

Kayleigh and Thomas are on the swim team again. Practice began after the pool opened Memorial Day weekend. We will be there each weekday evening, until school lets out (end of this week) and practice time moves to the morning.

Time trials were held this past Saturday. This is the first of eight early morning swim meets. Last year during June the kids had to deal with cool weather, and cold water. This year we are having a heat wave, and a thick, muggy fog shrouded the pool area.

This year Kayleigh has graduated from of the eight-and-under division. This means she swims two lengths of the pool (50 meters) instead of one. She will be working on her stamina, and her turns. Here she is swimming freestyle:

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The Canon Digital Elph has been kept busy since the arrival of Numero Cinco last week. For a slideshow of all of the to-date photos of Jeffrey, try clicking here.

[slideshow of all Jeffrey pics]

We had quite the surprise late, very late Saturday night. Kathi unexpectedly started labor just before midnight, and just a few minutes later we were enroute to Prince William Hospital in nearby Manassas. The official time of birth for Numero Cinco was Sunday at 6:30 AM, May 18, 2008. Yesterday Kathi turned in the Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Number Card), meaning Numero Cinco actually has a name: Jeffrey David Hansen.

[click for all of the baby pics]

The original plan was for Kathi to report to the hospital Thursday, May 29. She had an appointment for an induced labor. This was two days before her due date, and fit her previous pregnancy experiences. She had never been early before. Kayleigh and Thomas both arrived overdue. Evelyn and Melanie also waited, and were induced.

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Melanie recently celebrated her third birthday. Check out these photos from past birthday celebrations.

[more Melanie birthday photos]

Sunday, April 27th was the third anniversary of Melanie's birth. Her birthday celebration filled the entire weekend. The festivities started Friday afternoon with a short party at our house for several of her neighborhood friends.

[more Friday photos]

Saturday evening Lynne hosted a party for Melanie at her beautiful home in Oakton. Lynne treated us all with a delicious meal of grilled ribs and potato salad. Kristin and Laura provided entertainment, with some of Melanie's favorite activities: blowing bubbles, opening gifts, and tossing the ball to the pups.

[more Saturday photos]

Then Sunday our neighbors next door joined us for one last birthday party. We grilled fish on the backyard grill and enjoyed what was left of Melanie's big Costco birthday cake.