Our Jack-O-Lantern

This Fall has been a very busy one for our family. Every weekend was packed and we never ended up apple picking or pumpkin picking. In a very anti-climatic pumpkin pick trip, Avery, Kamryn, and I ended up just buying this pumpkin at the grocery store. Although it was not the family moment I craved and did not involve a hay ride, at least we got a pumpkin. And it's damn near perfect!

Since I couldn't get my family moment to pick out the pumpkin, I insisted on a family moment to carve the pumpkin. CJ looks so thrilled. Doesn't every 17 yr old boy hang with his family to carve their annual pumpkin???

YUMMO!!!!

So, after the top was cut off Chris and CJ disappeared, leaving just us girls to scoop out the insides and separate the seeds for later.
After the scooping was done, everyone left the table but Avery and I. So I was left to do the carving. Thank you Avery for snapping the picture.

Avery's turn to carve!

TA-DA..... Our Jack-O-Lantern!

After Avery and I finished carving we roasted, toasted, and caramelized our pumpkin seeds!

Scaredy Cats!

Last night Kylie and Ally went to see Paranormal Activity 2. Although they told me it was the scariest movie they had ever seen, I didn't think they would be scared to go to bed. When I went downstairs this morning, this is how they were sleeping. Too scared NOT to be sleeping right next to someone!

San Diego

A few weeks ago Tara and I were sent to San Diego for a conference for our jobs. Our men joined us! Chris and Rob had a blast hanging out while Tara and I attended conference meetings.
No worries...There was plenty of time for all of us to relax. This was the pool area at our hotel. It's where we spent most of our free time. The weather in San Diego is probably the most perfect in the US. It doesn't get too cold or too hot, and very little rain.

Our conference was over on Friday afternoon. Here's Chris and I hanging out poolside.

On our second night Chris, Tara, Rob, and I headed out to Old Town for dinner. Since we were staying 4 more days we decided to pick up some beverages while we were out on the town. Although our supply looks quite plentiful, we ran out on day 3 and had to replenish. (This was just our supply, Tara and Rob had their own."

Tara and Rob left us on Saturday night. :( Although Chris and I are not 'touristy types' we headed to the Gaslamp district to do some souvenir shopping for our kids. Chris didn't mind to much because every other store was a bar.

There was also a car show on the main strip.

This is a Bird of Paradise plant. It is one of my favorite flowers because it so unusual....in PA. They are EVERYWHERE in SanDiego.
This is what we did most of the time on our vacation. It has been a long time since Chris and I have sat by a pool and been able to read, relax, or nap. Although it was fabulous, I actually prefer the crazy chaos of my regular life.

Autumn Festival

Every year our township hosts an annual Fall Festival. For the past 12 years we have always been unable to attend due to our schedules. Well, today we finally made it! Of course twelve years later CJ and Kylie are too old to go, and Madi went over before us with a friend. So there we were....Chris and I and only TWO kids. WAY EASY! and so much cheaper. They had several types of moon bounces set up. Here is Kamryn going down a slide.

The line to this was short, so she did it again!

Then Kamryn headed over to the gigantic moon bounce. Avery refused to go in, she thought she was too old to go in it. (I think she just didn't want any friends from school seeing her in a kiddie attraction.)

Avery went on an obstacle course.

It was a two person race and she won, beating an 11 year old boy.

Since there was more for Kamryn to do than Avery, Chris and Avery relaxed in the sun while Kamryn enjoyed herself.

Apparently a few hours watching 2 kids at a neighborhood festival was too much for the hubby, he needed a nap! He even got a nap buddy with Baby!!!