Fall Fun!

Well--I didn't anticipate to not write for several weeks, but we've had a fun (and FULL) fall. We've been playing outside as much as we can, going on field trips, exploring the orchard and more! 

For Halloween this year, Carter chose Batman and Addison chose a bride. More photos to come after we trick-or-treat! 

Cuddling with the kittens at Maw-Maw and Papa Ray's! 

On October 12, Carter had an in-service day, so both kids went to my mom's/Michelle's on Sunday the 11th for a sleepover. On Monday, they went to Lake Tobias. They had great weather and were pretty tuckered out at the end of the day! I thought this was a pretty cute picture of the boy cousins! 

I chaperoned Carter's field trip to the apple orchard. He was SO PROUD I was there, which melted my heart. He kept telling everyone "This is my mommy!" and he begged me to sit with him on the bus. He reached over and held my hand the whole way there. Despite the terrible picture, there's no way I was going to miss capturing that! :) Goodness, I love that sweet boy!

Just this past weekend, I attended the women's retreat at church and it was a great time. It was GLAMPing (glamorous camping), but it was really cold, so I decided to stay inside the church rather than sleep in the camper (which was my original plan). We did a "paint and create" activity where I made this painting, now in my office at work.

After the retreat, Seth was going to hang out with some friends so the kids and I went to the orchard to the playland. It was chilly and both kids were a bit "off" so we were only there for about an hour. 

I feel like before we know it, we'll be getting snow and celebrating Christmas! Here's to eeking everything we can out of fall! :)

Hersheypark with Oma and Opa: Take 2

A couple weeks ago, we attempted a Hersheypark trip to celebrate Oma and Opa's 60th birthdays. That one got rained out in a big way. But the last weekend of August, we were able to try again and this time...SUCCESS! Ben, Salli and the kids were not able to come this time but Oma and Opa and Matt, Erin and the kids were able to be there! The weather was amazing!! Because most PA schools were back in session, the park was actually pretty empty. We decided to switch things up and go to the waterpark first thing in the morning to avoid the lines. That worked super well and we were able to ride water slides fairly quickly all morning! (No photos of that part -- there's no possibility of staying dry anywhere in Hersheypark's waterpark!) :)

After lunch, it was time for rides! We actually got a lot of rides in because by the time we were doing non-water rides, everyone else was heading to the waterpark. 

 

We stayed at the park for way longer than I thought we'd make it with 5 kids -- after 7 p.m. (from opening)! We went for dinner and all of the kids did so amazing at the restaurant (maybe because Oma told them she would get them rainbow bread from Isaac's?!?) :) We had such a great day and were so glad we got to celebrate Oma and Opa's birthdays!

First day of Kindergarten!!

I'm a little behind since the first day of Kindergarten was all the way back on August 25! Let me tell you--this was one excited little boy to be going to Kindergarten! His teacher's name is Miss Quirion.

 Breakfast on the first day -- eggs, fruit and juice! He could hardly eat he was so excited!In fact, we were probably ready for the bus a good 25 minutes before we had to leave. We got some photos, watched a short show and we were STILL to the bus 10 minutes early! :)

 I'm loving the backpack that makes him look so tiny.

 ...and the moment I almost lost it. Even just seeing the bus come up the street brought a lump to my throat. It made me feel so much happier to see him so, so excited and not really having a fear in the world. He kissed me goodbye and was off--like such a big boy! He did look out the window and give me a big wave and smile. It took everything in me to not start sobbing when the bus pulled away! They have my baby boy--how could I not be scared/worried/nervous?!?!(As a sidenote now here 1 month into school: he just loves it. He has so much fun, has made so many friends, loves his new after-school program and is having a blast!)

Alaska (and the rest of us to camp!)

On Saturday, August 1, Seth left for a missions trip to Alaska with our church. They went to work at a kid's outdoor camp there (in a remote part of Alaska)--a lot of manual labor. The kids were saying goodbye to daddy (without the full realization of how long he'd be gone). 

The team...

While Seth was gone, the kids and I headed to Roxbury to stay at the cabin with my grandparents, Michelle and the kids and my cousin and his family. This worked out super well because I love going there and it fell over the time Seth was gone so we didn't have to be home alone for 8 days. 

The kids were VERY busy for the 5 days we were there--barrel train rides, tons of bike riding, kids church, the playground, giant sand box, exploring, "fox" and "raccoon" hunting, camp fires, kids carnivals and so much more. They were TIRED.

That sure is a lot of kids at the cabin kitchen table at lunchtime! 

Peanut relaxing on the porch...

After a trip to the gift shop for some balls, flashlights, sweatshirts and other fun things.

Addison and Kenna taking a Frozen movie break!

It worked out so well. Addison LOVED the little kids' church (i.e. a glorified nursery) which allowed Carter to come with me to hear the speakers at night. We sat outside each night (just me and him; the others sat inside) and it was so great. He worked quietly on his workbooks and I actually got to listen this year! HA! 

We brought the toddler bed mattress which perfectly fit in the little space at the end of the bed. They took turns sleeping in it each night (and the other one got to sleep up in bed with mommy). 

The cabin kitchen

Quite the bike line-up :) 

We had a great, chaotic time and we were TIRED when we got home (and still had many nights before daddy got home). It was the first time in several years I was able to go to camp for more than just an overnight or a weekend, so I really enjoyed being able to go. And, it actually worked out REALLY well because cell signal is rough at camp and Seth had absolutely none where he was in Alaska so it made not talking easier (though we had no choice anyway). 

Baptism

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

Princess day at school

Little Miss Addison had princess day at school today! I mean, seriously....LOOK AT HER! We didn't really have princess wear, but last night, we went to a consignment sale and just happened to find this most perfect dress. She was in heaven that she got to be all dolled up--and wear her heels, too! 

You're always our princess, baby girl.