Merry Christmas (& we don't need no stinkin bows)

Ewwwww - Pumpkin Guts!

AJ was very excited to carve our pumpkin today and there was much talk of whether he should be goofy or scary. In the end scary won. The best part was AJ's reaction when I cut the top off and he reached inside. In fact, he seemed pretty unimpressed by my carving skills and quite entertained by the slimy, squishy stuff. Note to self for next year - try to carve early enough to do it outside. It was cold and blustery today and we carved on newspaper in the kitchen. Somehow the mess still got everywhere :-)

Halloween Parade in Pre-K 2

Friday was the fall costume parade at AJ's school. He was a great cowboy and a trooper as they all lined up, grabbed on to the rope and hiked around the shopping center - despite blustery wind and chilly temps. It actually felt like Fall!

His teachers also got a kick out of hearing how his costume (the vest and chaps) were worn by his Daddy many many many years ago!

Temple Hall Farm

After meeting up for lunch with Auntie Megs and Gramma Lynn at Windy City Red Hots (the best dogs and italian beef this side of Lake Michigan!) we headed North to Temple Hall Farm.

Of course there was the usual pumpkin picking. Once again this year they had a HUGE and tricky corn maze we wandered through - cheated a few times to find our way out too :-) At one point we climbed up a bridge and there was corn as far as you could see in all directions.

The afternoon also included a stop to see the pig race and a chance to shoot the corn cobs at the big pile of pumpkins and hay. One guess what the boys enjoyed the most!

Fire Truck Rides

On a recent Sunday afternoon we stopped at the Ashburn Fire Station's open house. AJ gets a kick out of spraying the house and seeing the sprinkler demo. The year we caught the jaws of life demonstration and watched them cut the doors and roof off an SUV in a matter of minutes. Of course the don't miss of this event is a ride on top of the fire truck.

Fall Fest @ Orbital

AJ is old enough now to really get into the festival and carnival scene. Good thing Pete joined us at the Orbital fall fest this year - it took us both to keep track of him and he ran from moon bounce to the surf board to the craft tents to the carnival games and occasionaly stopping for food.

The weather was great and he really did enjoy it. That is until we stopped at the ice cream truck just after they closed and he collapsed on the ground in disappointment. Of course being the softie that I am, we stopped for ice cream on the way home!

September in South Carolina

I am really going to miss being able to take vacations during the off season in S.C. when the weather is still great for the bech but the heat and crowds are more tolerable. We returned to Isle of Palms again this year for a week in the sun and sand. We hit our favorite dining spot in town S.N.O.B. and even toured the old prison where they kept the pirates!