Fall Festivities

It has been a busy 4 days!  We have had a fall carnival, a wedding/overnight away, and Trunk or Treat!

Thursday was Maddy’s fall carnival at school.  They had all sorts of fun activities, booths, and inflatables.  The weather has been perfect this week, so we were really able to enjoy the fun.  Even better? Daddy was able to come!

The crew walking to the school

First inflatable: obstacle course—Maddy

Tommy followed right behind!

Once they reached the top, they slid down a big slide

Maddy and Tommy awaiting their turn for the bounce house.  There was a Chic Fil A cow roaming around, and it was on it’s way over, so Maddy was helping to make Tommy feel better by holding his hand (he is NOT a fan of costumed characters). Such a sweet big sister!

Aaron’s go down the big slide

Until he just stopped himself halfway down and was content to sit there, blocking the way for others…lol.  That’s him!

Maddy coming down on her tummy.

Tommy’s wild ride

Maddy had enough tickets to do one other booth aside from all the inflatables.  She chose to get her hair sprayed; pink and purple, of course!

On Saturday, Lance and I had the privilege to attend our friend, Maddy’s, wedding in Jacksonville.  We were good friends with her when we lived there a number of years ago and she has been someone we’ve keep up with.  We were thrilled to be able to attend her beautiful day!!!  It was a wedding full of so much joy.  The happiness just poured out of every look and glance between her and her new hubby.  Such an awesome afternoon! 

This also meant that Lance and I got to snag a night away!  Grandma and Grandpa Tegen came and stayed at our house with the kiddos so we could enjoy this one last little trip away before baby comes in about 6 weeks.

Father and daughter coming down the aisle

Exchanging vows…such a tender moment.

US!

Friends.  Crazy to think we’ve known each other for about 9 years already!  We’ve seen each other through some big life events…so glad that we got to add this momentous day to the list!

First Dance

Although the wedding was actually just west of Jacksonville, we chose to stay out at Jacksonville Beach just to make the trip a bit nicer for the two of us.  We were able to enjoy a relaxed breakfast and take a short walk down the beach.  Another gorgeous fall day in Florida.  FINALLY the weather is at that wonderfully perfect point.  Wish it was like this more often!

We came home just in time to get the munchkins all geared up for Trunk and Treat.  Grandma and Grandpa helped, too, but then had to be on their way back home.  (Hopefully the Packers win tonight! ;o) )

The crew walking to the church

The annual family picture.  No strollers this year!  No worries, there will be one next go-around…crazy!

Roger’s Farm 2013

We have done the Octoberfest at Roger’s Farm here in Gainesville every year since we came for residency—this is the third (and possibly final) fall running now that we’ve gone.  It has been a fun, yet very different experience every time.  Our first year, it was nice and cool and I had Aaron in the Ergo. Then, last year, I came solo with the kids as Lance was working every day they were open. This year, it may as well have been straight up summertime.  We were all in shorts and t-shirts and sweat like pigs! The “Fall Festival” would have been much nicer had it been at least 15 degrees cooler!  That said, we still had a fun morning and are glad we could make it out once again.

Love shots of them walking together

The water pump duck races are a hit every time!

Checking out the animals in the “petting zoo.” I use the term loosely as it’s really just a bunch of animals penned up for the kids to walk by and look at. LOL  They enjoyed it!

Maddy riding her Pony

Aaron and Lance in hot pursuit!

Aaron really enjoyed it.  This was the first time he was big enough to give it a go.

Tommy was once again content to hang back with me.  Pony rides (and most anything with larger animals) just aren’t his thing.

I was excited that all three opted to ride in the the barrel train ride this year. Yay for cute photos!  Well, sort of…Maddy and Tommy were looking into the sun in the pics below and were squinting pretty hard as a result. LOL

At least Aaron’s came out!

Bouncing on the big bouncy thing.  Tommy figured out that if he just sat there, other folks would launch him up as they ran by.

Aaron tried to run around.  He wiped out quite a bit.

Not surprisingly, Maddy was the most proficient at enjoying this thing.

Running around on the hay bales.

Maddy and Tommy took the opportunity to shoot ears of corn out of a pneumatic gun.  Aaron didn’t like how loud it was and decided he’d just keep as far away as possible.  While we were waiting for the other two to go, he kept telling me, ”Want to be all done now!”

The rare pic of me and Lance!

The official requisite hayride family pic. Thank you random stranger for taking it and getting everyone to look on the first shot!

Toward the end of the hayride, the kids were able to hop down and pick out a pumpkin to take home.

We had a fun time, but were ready to get out of the blazing 85 degree heat.  I know it’s Florida, but really??? Mid-late October should not be this hot!  Thankfully we are all cooled down and daddy and Aaron are enjoying naps.  We are all curious to see where we’ll be for next fall’s pumpkin patch adventures!