if it weren't for my phone, i wouldn't have any pictures anymore

We had a little fun in the Halloween section at Target a while back.  I tried not think about how many people had tried those things on before them!

 

We had a rainy day last week and Emmy took advantage of it!

 

My babies!

 

Jason felt as though our newly finished kitchen needed a new accessory so he ordered me a Kitchen Aid.  I've already made sugar cookies, a cake and REAL icing.  I've never made icing before, but I may never go back to the canned kind!

 

Jason is spoiling me left and right.  Thursday night I had talked about going to our favorite ice cream place for some pumpkin gingersnap ice cream, but we didn't have enough time.  That didn't stop him from stopping on his way home from work on Friday to get me this yummy treat. 

 

My dad and Vivian came to visit this weekend and I managed to get a bit of documentation!

mechanicsville miler

Each year, Bryce's school has a 5k fundraiser called the Mechanicsville Miler.  We have sat out on the driveway in the past and cheered on the runners as they pass.  This year we were excited to be a part of the events.  We watched all the runners come by before heading to the school for Bryce to run the 100 yard dash.  This year the miler (Run for Renee) had a special meaning as the school celebrated the life of one of their first grade teachers (our friend Renee) who passed away this summer. 

 

 

Bryce ran the 100 yard dash which was broken into grade levels so he only competed against kindergarteners!  He was excited to run with a few of his friends from class.

 

 

Go Bryce, go!

 

He came in second place.  He was neck and neck with a girl until the very end, but he kicked it into gear because he couldn't let a girl beat him!

 

Cousin Sarah who is also in Bryce's class did the 5k and we met up with her after the race.  The sun was bright, ha!

 

We stopped at the Kona ice truck on the way home and the kids enjoyed making their own treat!

 

We're having lots of fun getting involved at Bryce's school and getting to know the people in our community even more!

apple pickin' 2014

I enjoy apple picking every fall, but our normal spot has become so touristy and busy that it just takes the fun out of it for me.  I had decided we'd just skip apple picking this year.  Of course, we all wanted to go, so we found a new spot and it did not disappoint!

 

 

It was an overcast day, following a weekend of rain, but we still had a great time.

 

Emmy enjoyed the puddles left behind from the rain.

 

There were tons of apples at the kids' level. 

 

They were picking granny smith and Fuji.  Those are the only kinds we like so it worked out perfectly they had both.

 

There may have been plenty of low apples, but it's still fun to pick from the top.

 

My sweet boy!

 

Us

 

Nana and her babies.

 

We can say we go apple picking for the apples, but the real reason is the treat afterwards, ha!

 

We were concerned they wouldn't have our favorite apple cider donuts like the other orchard, but they did!  They even had dundaes (donut sundaes).

 

We invited Nana and Pap along for the trip and we all had a great time.

emmy goes to the pumpkin patch

My MOPS group headed to the pumpkin patch today!  We started off with a little pumpkin seed planting.

 

 

I may have required a photo-op with the kids!  Last year they made a spider out of a hay bale.  They stepped it up a notch with a minion this year.

 

I was pretty excited about the corn maze.  I've done hay mazes before, but never a corn maze!

 

After seeing the animals and jumping in the bounce house, we had a snack to refuel for some pumpkin picking.

 

It didn't take her long to find "the one". 

 

 

After a little reassurance from me, she was ready to pick it!

 

Hayride with the prized pumpkin!

 

We ended the trip with the corn kernel pit.  Her pants were black before she started the corn angels!

 

I had a great morning with my sweet girl.

 

I'll be headed back to the same farm later in the month for Bryce's school field trip.

 

How ironic that this day last year we went on the same MOPS trip!  I love timehop!

the state fair 2014

We were planning on skipping the fair this year, but we ended up there after all.

 

 

The kids had a great time!

 

Pony rides were a must!  Here are Bryce's previous rides in 2010 and 2011.

 

Emmy was most excited for her first pony ride!

 

There were lots of other fun rides.  Luckily Taylor could be Emmy's adult since she was too short! 

 

He's almost too big for the kid rides.

 

Fun on the tea cups.

 

Tea cups this year and last.

 

Bryce won Chase a fish! 

 

While fair food may be horrible for you, it's oh-so-good.  Jason's sister and I split a pumpkin funnel cake and it was delicious!  Jason always has to have the featured treat at the fair.  This year it was the "Twinx" (a twix inside of a twinkie, wrapped in bacon, battered and deep fried, topped with powdered sugar and chocolate syrup).  In 2012 it was the donut burger!

 

These two were in heaven!  Blah!

 

A great time was had by all.

we're so proud

Bryce made his second trip to the treasure box today!  That means 24 stickers in 23 days!  His teacher has a "magic carpet" in her room that a girl and a boy each get to sit on every day.  He has gotten it twice in the last week or so and he gets 2 stickers for this honor!

 

 

Bryce also got his first interim report today.  It's hard to believe he's already been in kindergarten for 5 weeks, but we're so glad he's doing so well in school.

 

 

You make us proud everyday buddy!

ringing in OCTOBER with all things pumpkin

I get so excited when I find new pumpkin spice goodies at the store.  I have stocked up and I've already created a few yummy fall treats.

 

 

Do you like monkey bread?  I LOVE it!  I'm hosting a Bible study at my house this month and I was responsible for snacks this week.  I knew I wanted to make something pumpkin, but wasn't sure what.  Monkey bread is always a favorite so I found a pumpkin monkey bread recipe and it did not disappoint. 

 

It took me a while to find pumpkin spice jello pudding, but it didn't take me long to start baking once I found it.  We made these yummy cookies and bagged up a few for Bryce to take to his teachers! 

 

I'm not really a huge fan of these candy corn.  I think they would be better if I could mix them with peanuts, but because of Emmy's allergy and her love for candy corn, I just can't do it.

 

The Oreos, however, are DELISH!  Thanks Barbara!

 

I'll get back to you once I find something to make with the marshmallows and morsels!

 

Happy Fall Y'all!!!