Pumpkin Patch

We always go to the same Punpkin Patch. This year time got away from us so we picked one close to home and we were really happy with our picks. This is the same place we go to every year to pick Strawberries in Charlotte. The kids loved running around and really liked going out in the patch to pick their own pumpkins. Another fun fall activity that led to a messy mess in the kitchen!!




Look how tall I am!


Look at me too!


Future Yoda Pumpkin!


So many to choose from!


THis is the one for me!

Apple Picking

This weekend we went towards Hendersonville, NC and went apple picking at Sky Top Orchards. It was more fun than we imagined. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. The wind was blowing but the sun was shinning and it was a real "Carolina Blue" sky. We went with our friends The Copley's. The girls taught our kids how to climb trees and pick apples and they ran around and had the best time.
On our way out we enjoyed some tasty apple cider and brought some home for later. The kids picked so many apples. We came home and made an apple pie, an apple crisp and still had apples left over. It was definitly one of our favorite things to do in the fall.




And they are off!


Pick your own...you choose!






The way the boys did it!




The little people!


The loot with Walter and Brownie Bear from Kindergarten Class.




My boys!

Community Day for Walter

Kindergarten Community Day was Friday for Walter. Their theme in class was COmmunity so they had been talking about all the places that make up our community. Each child was assigned a place in the community and they had to construct that place. Walter chose a resturant. He wanted to do a place that served burgers but wanted to dress up like a chef. It was the most precious thing I have seen in a long time. Thanks to help from Daddy and the handmade picnic tables, it was a huge success. Walter was a big hit with his mustache too.

Y-Guides

Last night was the first night of Y-Guides for Daddy and Walter. This is really special for big Walter because he and his Dad did Y-Guides (it was Indian Guides then). It is a great time of male bonding once a month. Walter was really excited to go and can't wait until next month when we host the meeting at our house.

10yr Anniv of Sept. 11

It is amazing that 10 years have gone by since our world changed forever. We now have been married for 10 years and have 2 children. We have lived in 3 different states and thankful for so many more things than we ever thought we could be. We now have so much more to fear than we ever thought.
I remember this day 10 years ago so well. Walter had just returned from a trip to Spain the day before, where I greeted him at the gate as he walked off the airplane...why..because you could then. The next day, September 11 2001 we carried on with our normal day. Walter went to work and I went to class (Nursing school). I was sitting in A&P and a friend of mine came to the door and announced that an airplane had just crashed into the Twin Towers. We didn't think much about it until she came back and said that another plane had crashed into the Twin Towers. We all rushed to the small TV that was in the student lounge and watched in shock and with a fear that we never felt before. All the cell phones lines were jammed and we couldn't get in touch with our loved ones. I just remember wanting to go home and get Walter to meet me there and stay home the rest of the day. I was really scared.

It is hard to describe how the world changed, because it is our new normal now. Security everywhere, the loss of jobs, the fear you have every time you get on the airplane, the way you now look at everyone around you like they could be "the ones who were involved". It is scary to think that our children have to grow up in a world like this, but unfortunately, this is all they know.

Hopefully this will be last major life changing event that we as a country has to live through. And to think, this is now history to our kids, just has JFK assassination is history to us but reality to our parents.

First Day of School!

The 1st day of school went off with out a hitch around here. The kids were super excited to go. Walter was thrilled to be a "big" kid now and Ann Elizabeth was excited to see all her friends but a little nervous about going on to 2nd grade. They both looked so cute in their uniforms.
After school they both said they had a great day and couldn't wait to go back. Let's hope this continues on through the rest of the year!




Breakfast on the 1st Day of School!

Lemonade anyone???

The kids have been dying all summer to have a lemonade stand. It has been so hot that i really hated for them to be outside in the sun trying to make a buck. But, saturday was great, summer, but the weather was breezy...so perfect for a lmonade stand.
We found this cute stand at Costco and it was a huge hit with the kids. Ann Elizabeth "worked it" of course and everyone had their job. Dad's was to set up the stand and haul the stuff to the top of the hill. Mine...make the lemonade and fetch the ice. Walter's..ummm...just assist and hand out Dum-Dum lollipops when necessary and he would get a cut of the money.
The kids worked hard for about and hour and made $13.00....all on $1 cups of lemonade. CRAZY! They had a great time and we ran out of lemonade. I am sure it is only a matter of time before we do it again!
Great Summer Memories!!

Back to School Day!

Today was the annual Back to School Day at Carmel Christian. It is always an exciting day, albeit a little boring to the kids at first. The children get to go in and take their school supplies to their room, set up their cubby/desk and meet their teachers. Walter was a little excited. He knew his teachers, Mrs. Beerbower and Mrs. Rebsamen, already (Ann Elizabeth had them in Kindergarten also) but he really was happy to get his supplies put away and check out his new classroom.
Ann Elizabeth was super excited. She hadn't meet her new teachers Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Crotts yet so I think that was the highlight of the morning. Ann Elizabeth got to go to her desk, get it all organzied and check out her new room as well. We were very happy to see that she had some old friends from Kindergarten in her classroom as well as some from 1st grade.
We have 4 great teachers and we are ready for the new school year.

Myrtle Beach fun with our family!

Ahhhh Myrtle Beach. My kids choice of a beach over Charleston, SC. They love it. We went for a long weekend, just like every year, before school starts back. We stayed at a great resort with really neat pools and an ocean front room. We enjoyed eating at The Giant Crab, The Game Zone (Ultimate Pizza Kitchen), and Liberty at Broadway. The kids love doing all the "MB stuff". This year we went to Wonder Works and The Aquarium. It was great and the kids got to see a real mermaid. She was a huge hit! It rained on us every night this year so no beach pictures, but we did get to see a fantastic pirate show...Pirates Voyage. It was great. I love these trips to the beach with our kids. They are so much fun and love getting out to seek new adventures...like the Sky Wheel. It was amazing and the kids loved to be that high up in the air. The best part is that you are in an air conditioned capsule type thing and you are so high that you can see as far as the eyes will reach on the ocean and all across Myrtle Beach. So amazing!! All of these adventures make for such great memories.

Fun at the beach!!!


Ripply's Aquarium


Sky Wheel Fun

Wrap up to Ann Elizabeth's first year on Swim Team!

Ann Elizabeth participated in swim team in the neighborhood this year for the first time. She did amazing! It was great to see her improve from the beginning to the end of the season. She was so determined to win at races and get the ribbons. At the end of the season they have an awards ceremony and everyone gets a trophy. They also give awards to those who won the most points in their heats, most improved, MVP, etc. Ann Elizabeth received the Most Improved award and we couldn't have been happier for her!!

Lake fun in the sun with friends!

Summer is always so much fun on the lake. We love to have our friends out to enjoy the lake and the boat with us. This year Daddy got us a jetski so that was extra added fun. All summer long on the lake and no where else we would rather be as a family!!!