Happy Fall!

Cincinatti and Aquarium Fun!

Last weekend, I had a blast going to visit my WONDERFUL friend, Sommer. It was my first night away from the baby since she was born and it felt strangely normal. Don't get me wrong, I was anxious to get my hands on her at the 24-hour mark!

We had so much fun setting up her awesome, new house, that she rents with a few other people. We went to IKEA, bought a bunch of fixin's and went to town! 

 Just a couple little shots of our handiwork... we were up until the wee hours of the morning. Love you, Som! Had so much fun with you, as always. :)

 I returned Sunday evening, only to go back to the Cincinatti area with some friends to check out the Newport Aquarium with the baby on Tuesday. It was another fun trip!

 I didn't get the greatest pics, but she loved it. Was quite taken by the large sea animals swimming all around her... and beating on that drum was fun too!

 Totally radical, Duuuude.

(A reference to Finding Nemo, to those of you who just got scared that I actually talk like that.)

 Ah. There's a shot of the fascination. She kept touching the glass, I believe expecting to make contact with the fishies. It was a great few days, but I think I'm road-tripped out for a while!

 

Harvest Time!!!

One of the Fall events that is going on with the ministry here is the first harvest festival we've done! The first weekend was super fun and a great introduction for us as none of us have ever done anything like this before! Here is the invitation I made...

These were the signs I painted to flank the entrance as cars would come in. I did all the signage and it was fun to have a project like that - but it kept me busy for DAYS!!

 

  Pumpkin purchase stand... (the pumpkins on the shelf were for people who didn't want to go out to the field to pick one)

 We set up these scenes for people to take family photos by...

 This "picture spot" came about on accident, because behind the pumpkin tablecloths (ha!) is a large piece of plywood that is blocking off current construction. But the restroom is that door to the left, so we had to do something to make it attractive. So now people can go pee followed by a quick pic of the kids by the hay bale in good ol' JC Penney fashion!

 That sign says "Wanna paint your pumpkin?" This station was a HIT!! I bet almost everyone painted their pumpkin after they picked it!

 And what harvest festival can go on without face painting - by far the MOST popular stand. I was assigned here for most of the weekend and was so so busy painting little cheeks!

Was I surprised to look over and see this going on? No. Not one bit.

He got a hungry shark.

 Hay ride time!

 G and I designed the hay maze. Have you ever designed a maze to actually construct? Go ahead. Try it out. I can almost bet you you'll quit... I know I almost did - it was one of the harder things I've done in a while!

 But we finally got it.

Sweet Naomi loved exploring the maze with her buddy, Molly.

 Out in the game field, there was plenty of corn hole, coffee sack races, and...

 A WATER BALLOON LAUNCH!!!! G made the contraption on the right and the kids looooved it. Okay, the grown ups loved it just as much! 

 These were the targets I painted for the water balloons to hit.

After all those games, we had food to appease the worked-up appetite. Grant and I made sandwich chalkboards for the menu and this sign... it says "Are you feeling hungry? Would you like something to eat? Come this way and join us for a tasty harvest treat!" :)

There's the other sandwich board for the menu - a great set-up with grilled corn on the cob (in the shuck, might I add), hot dogs, apple cinnamon donuts, and of course, apple cider! 

Shelley set up a fabulous corner in the barn with fall merchandise for the moms to peruse while the kids and dads were busy playing outside.

 A shot of the true pumpkin field and organic garden...

 The hay ride would stop for the kids to pet the neighbor's horse and look at the chickens - a built-in petting zoo!

 Out of place pic, sorry. The monster cookie walk (like a "cake walk"), another favorite. Because if you landed on the right number, you'd get - that's right - a monster cookie!!!

 The men at the grill - classic.

Well, that's about it. Most of those pics were taken during set-up so I'll try to get some more pics of the crowds next weekend. If you're in the area on the 15th & 16th, give me a call and I'll give you directions! We'd love to have you join us!

I know. I know. Terrible blogging frequency. Just tons going on right now. Here's a taste of some of the recent fun parts though!! It would seem that life begins by using a walker and ends with one too... :)

A Long, Full Post for a Long, Full Absence

Well, lots has been going on here. Short summary: I lost my phone. Was without it for a week or so. This was followed by a terrible case of the stomach flu. For just me, thankfully. Then a visit from G's parents. Then finals. Which I finished last night at 9:21pm to be precise. Give me 24hrs to recouperate and now I'm here. Catching up the blog since I've sort of caught up on my life! Waking up the morning of Nana's arrival... 

 I only included this pic because my camera got so few! She really did LOVE her time with Pegs!

We took them to the mega caverns in Louisville... such an interesting place! We felt oh so safe, but a little creeped out down there where the city would go in case of nuclear fall out. No joke! And we're going back and I'm taking my own mother because you can ride a zipline through the caverns! Get ready, Mom!!

 We took a tram tour of the insides of the caverns. Simmer down there, Bill. You almost look excited.

 Naomi was awesome! She loved looking around in between bites of her finger-food lunch I packed. 

 This scaaary box was in front of the gift shop...

 G is so brave.

 Nice.

 We thought that called for a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum. So we went there the next day. It was fun to reminisce about the first time we went there with my dad to discover his signature on the wall - what a great day!

The second time around was fun too and wore the baby plum out. Here's to dinner with Elmo after four busy days of not seeing his face...

We squeezed in a bath given by Nana to cover all the bases and called it a fabulous trip. We were sad to see them go, but thankful they came!

Confession: bought these pajamas at Target before I was ever even pregnant. Who does that?

It must have been the motherly intuition that knew this picture would exist someday... she looks so big standing up like that!!

Naomi has also discovered the lovely habit of running her hands through her hair after meals now. Check out the latest mac 'n cheese salon treatment. And the proud little stylist!

First time in overalls.

And to anyone who was wondering what our room looked like in the midst of said chaotic finals week, because I know that's what you all spend your time thinking about, here you go. I just thought you might want to feel better about the current state of your own house. Couldn't be worse than that.

Study break at the park.

Naomi putting her fashion spin on the cute outfit from Mimi. A splash of pink floral with reversable green and white dots is always a welcome addition to any outfit.

And we leave you to your thoughts beyond the swings...

Have a happy weekend all - three cheers to one with no homework!!!