Neighborhood Fall Festival

October 16, 2010

Our neighborhood is the best - it really is. We talk about a bigger house someday, but I'm not sure we could ever move away from here. Every year (though we missed last year), our neighborhood closes down part of our circle and throws a fall festival. We were so excited to be here and join in this year - I was part of the planning party, which is really an excuse for us gals to get together with some vino! There was pumpkin decorating, bag coloring, sack races, donuts on a string, great food and snacks ... and good spirits for the adults, of course! The kids had a great time even though it was cold. We can't wait for next year!

The cupcakes Mom and I threw together in 3 hours!

Little Minnie has arrived - let the fun begin!

The Honeys - can't live without them!

Little Owen and Charlie

Lily trying to bring scared Charlie to the big dog (Charlie doesn't like dogs much)

She loved the tricycle after Daddy taught her how it worked

The adorable neighborhood kids

Aidan just loves Charlie

Time for a break!

Best. Neighborhood. Ever.

Fall Weekend in Vermont

October 8th-10th

Another fall weekend in Vermont. We were hoping to catch a babysitter somewhere over this weekend for Aaron and I to be able to go out and celebrate our 3rd Anniversary, but everyone was busy the whole time!

We did stroll through the mall a bit and Charlie is now showing interest in the rides. Well, Aaron decided to pop in some quarters on one HE thought looked fun - one with a racing screen she could watch. She was a bit nervous when it started moving, but got right into it and gave us a good laugh.

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This year, Charlie was old enough to pick her own pumpkin from Great Grandpa Bowler's Garden! He had them all out on his deck and we let her loose. She looked at them for a few seconds, went to one and rolled it around to check it out then checked out another before going back to her first choice. And a good choice it was! Thanks Great Grandpa Bowler!!!

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On the drive home to NH, we always stop in Randolph for a break - as we pulled off the highway this time, the sky was AMAZING. Nothing but purple hues and a calming feeling. I ran across the road to grab some shots and as I turned around to walk back to the car, I noticed three other cars pulling over to capture the moment on their camera as well. There are no words ...

Animals, Corn Mazes and Ice Cream, Oh My!!

October 2, 2010

The fall festivities continue. We love this time of year! We took a short drive up the road to Beech Hill Farm to enjoy a beautiful day doing their corn mazes.

We started out by checking out the animals on their farm. Charlie wasn't so sure of these. She loves to see them in books and make animal sounds, but seeing them in real life freaks her out a bit. Or maybe it was just the smell of the animals ... haha.

After the animals, Charlotte checked out all of the pumpkins. She ran from one to another, trying to pick each one up.

After checking out the pumpkins, it was time to hit the corn mazes. Since Charlie loves to run free, this was fun to just let her go on the trails. The corn was tall, the sky was blue, and we were having fun together.

They also had a great sand area with trucks - Charlie enjoyed watching the other kids play with the trucks and quickly learned how to do it too.

And no perfect-weather-day is complete for Charlie without ice cream. They had great ice cream and it was the perfect end to this family field trip!

Apple Picking 2010

September 26, 2010

We enjoyed apple picking last year with a teensy little Charlie, but knew this year would be lots of fun with her little legs running her through an orchard. We went to Apple Hill Orchard up the road, where our MOMS Club had gone (though we didn't go then since we wanted it to be a family thing) and we've heard great things about it.

We bought our bag and got a tractor ride ALL the way up the hill.

The trees were full and perfect for Charlie's height. She was good at picking up the apples off the ground at first, and got the hang of putting them into the bag. She then insisted on carrying the bag until it was too heavy ... until she was dragging it!

(notice the bag!)

She was having SO much fun running from apple to apple and tree to tree, she didn't even care if we were there.

But she did like us to pick her up to let her pick some higher apples.

After the apples were picked, Charlie played on the playground for a bit and then we decided to climb into the giant apple for even more photos! This was pretty fun as it swung all over as you climbed in and out.

This little girl sat in the back seat and ate her first [whole] apple on the way home. When we got home, I scraped all of the skin she was storing in her cheeks like a chipmunk! I think every day for about a month after this day, Charlie walked around the house with a whole peeled apple in her hand - she asked for one multiple times a day. She loves them! YUM!