The weather this fall has been amazing and unlike last fall & winter,
we've already brought out our heavier coats a morning or two.
Before the weather got chilly, though, we took one last trip to Pelican's SnoBalls...
Pop keeping the kids entertained with the hula hoop
The nice weather means we get to enjoy watching Ethan ride Sammy outside.
Here are Owen, Cara, Hudson and Austin
watching Ethan & Andrew ride their horses.
While we were playing at the park, the ice cream truck came by,
so the boys got fudgesicles. Good thing we took their shirts off,
cause these things melt faster than they can eat
and they were covered in chocolate within minutes.
The boys both love walking around the mall -- we hardly ever go to shop,
but we almost always buy a cookie before we leave!
This was our first sweatshirt day --
we were excited to play outside without the mosquitoes!
cousins swinging together
hiking on the Greenway with our friends Jill and Holden
We went to the Bluegrass and BBQ Festival at the Greenway this year.
Unfortunately, Owen woke up at 4:30 that morning,
so he was exhausted by the time we made it to the festival.
He was so tired he laid down in the middle of the sidewalk and tried to go to sleep.
Even though his exhaustion made him more than a little cranky,
it didn't keep him from chowing down on a large amount of BBQ.
Elinam turned 1 in September, so we had a little party to celebrate!
We hadn't seen her since she was a few months old and she had definitely grown!
cousins
A few months ago we found this art shop in downtown Fort Mill called United Artisans.
They have a drop-in paint-your-own piece of art for only $5,
so I've taken Owen here a number of times this fall. Everyone is getting a hand-painted Christmas gift from Owen this year!
Owen and his friend, Brinley are serious about their painting!
We made our annual trip to Justus Orchards for apple picking this year.
The two older kids had lots of fun, Owen was cranky from lack of nap
and Anna spent most of her time sleeping in the moby.
Many of the apples had been picked, but they left the ones at the top for us!
There are few things that make me happier than watching these two love on each other.
Ethan loves holding Anna
cousin Allison love
Owen was out before we even got on the interstate
brother time in the hammock,
which they think is just a big family-size swing
they think it's hilarious to make themselves fall through the cracks of the hammock
Ethan got the coolest face art at Art On Main in downtown Fort Mill
Ethan's field trip to the Fall Frolic - he LOVED sitting and playing on the hay.
In fact, we went back to the Fall Frolic two other times this month and both times he went straight for the hay as soon as we got there.
family time at the Fall Frolic
gem mining
Owen loves his BBQ
Ethan started standing up with just his calves leaning on the hay.
Can you tell he was proud of himself?
I've been leaving Owen in the child-watch at the gym for a few months now,
and today was the first day he didn't cry when I left.
To make us both feel better about the separation anxiety,
we always spend a little mommy-Owen time swinging outside before we go in.
I am SO PROUD OF ETHAN. For so many reasons.
And now I have another reason to add to the list.
About six months ago Ms. Erin started using this thing with Ethan. It's called a Pedalo.
Six months ago he couldn't keep himself upright on here even with Erin standing behind and pedaling for him. Here is Ethan two weeks ago holding on and pedaling completely on his own! The only assistance he has are two rubber straps on his feet.
Even with the step stool Owen can't reach the sink to wash his hands.
I would always pick him up and hold him there until I recently walked in on him washing his hands all by himself. He had pushed the stool over to the sink and put his toes on the cabinet knobs to keep himself up. This is now how he washes his hands.
Owen's first happy meal
And I'm sure no one will be surprised to know that I already have enough pictures from the past month to fill up another post. Now I just need the time to upload them onto the blog!