A fall visit to Connecticut

The kids and Mommy took a trip to CT to visit and were greeted by much colder weather than we have in SC this time of year. We visited Grammy's moo cows every day and fed them lots of pumpkins (everyone keeps dropping off their pumpkins for the cows now that Halloween is over). Gage loved the cows and said mmm...mmmmm...mmmm everytime we saw them. We brought Savannah's costume and trick or treated for a little extension of Halloween, too. We spent time a day with our cousin Kristine and "Baby Elizabeth" at the Air Museum, and a little more time with them visiting the fire house in Middlebury. Uncle Bobby took Gage for a little ride in Engine 3, and both of them loved wearing cousin Kevin's fire helmet -- very heavy!!! Grandpa Pauly's birthday was during our visit, so Savannah decided he needed brownies AND cupcakes AND cake. So, she and Grammy made them all.  We also visited Great Grandma Rooney and Savannah got her first Swedish dala horse - okay, she got 3 of them! Thanks Gram!!

Halloween has come and gone....

First trip to Greenville Children's Museum

Savannah had the day off school on Friday, so we zipped up to the Children's Museum in Greenville for a little fun with our good friends Noel and Natalie. The museum is just over a year old and all of the kids had a blast. Gage loved the water exhibit especially for "tadpoles" (and got drenched, despite his smock) and Savannah and Natalie loved the kaleidoscope at the entrance - a giant hanging jungle gym to crawl up into. Natalie got scared at the top, so Savannah held her had and helped her the whole way down. They are so sweet together. We're excited for all the trick or treating fun we have coming up later this week!

More fall fun....

playing in the hay barn and the "corn box"....

apple picking

We have had beautiful fall weather here lately...cool in the mornings and warm during the day. We drove up to Bryson's in Long Creek to pick apples. At home, Savannah and Mommy made a couple of apple pies from scratch...which seemed to take wayyy too long for Daddy, who was anxiously awaiting them. The best part of the trip was bringing a few gallons of *real* (unpasteurized) apple cider home - everyone in the family says yummmmmm......

Hayrides, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes, oh my!

It's hard to believe that it was a YEAR ago that we went to Denver Down for the corn maze, pumpkin patch, etc. How time flies. Gage was just a little guy whose head didn't even come above the top of the BabyBjorn. This year he ran around, had a hard time sitting still on the hayride, loved playing in the corn "sandbox", but was a little unsure of walking on the giant piles of hay in the haybarn. Savannah was not interested in having her picture taken, but I snuck one while she was swinging on the tire horse. She had a LOT of fun in the hay barn and playing ducky races with the old water pumps, just like she did last year.  It was beautiful weather and we had the whole place to ourselves for the Mom's Club!

Soccer, homecoming, etc.

We have busy weeks of school, soccer, and dance, but we managed to fit in some time with friends with a visit to the floats in Bowman Field during homecoming weekend and a men's soccer game. Savannah's team won their first soccer game (thanks to Cameron, who Savannah is high-5-ing in the picture). Gage just wants to play on the field, so we spent some time on the swings and roaming around the field to keep him occupied. Also, Gage has discovered that he can crawl into one of the kitchen cabinets, which is WAY fun.

Beach weekend....

Adam gave in and agreed to coach Clemson's rugby team. With a game in Charleston, we decided to make it a family beach weekend. Absolutely beautiful weather, a low-country shrimp boil for lunch, a great decision - other than the rugby coaching, that is! ;-)

soccer!!

Savannah had her first soccer practice at the YMCA yesterday. She was a little shy at first, but warmed up by the end of practice. Her coaches are Clemson soccer players, and their team name is the Superheros! They have practice T/Th nights and games start in a few weeks. She is *very* excited about her pink shin-guards.

Daddy-daughter football nap

Adam was watching the Steelers the other day when Snow White crawled up on the couch, snuggled him, and promptly fell asleep.