Let the Leaves Fall

Trying to cram all of the major Fall activities in just two weekends (cuz that's all we get each month with the bigger kids) is a challenge every year. But this is what we managed. 

Porter's Orchard with a hay ride...

   

a corn maze...

And a beautiful flower!

Then off to Crossroads for Ghosts and Goodies...

Cool Decorations ...

Awesome Costumes...

and Donuts!

Last but certainly not least...pumpkin carving.

Okay, I think we're done. I'll relax until the Holidays. 

Literary Day

Went to Literary Weekend at Crossroads where we got to ride a paddle boat.

   

Look for Moby Dick with Captain Ahab

Have tea with Alice in Wonderland

And our special bonus: We watched a blacksmith artist make this wonderful "horse" shoe. :)

Instructions for an Awesome Graduation Party

Setup

Desserts

Play like a kid

Congratulations Kara! 

Thank heaven for a free Saturday

Look what we can do with a free Saturday. Please, can I have some more? 

 BOUNCE

Finally getting confident in the bounce house

 WIN!

Emily beat two boys

   RIDE

And used her own money to tackle the bull

 SLIDE

Told our friend Aiden that I would be taking his picture so make a funny face :)

Would Dylan go down any other way?

Ours was more of a bounce down than a slide but loads of fun

 FRISBEE GOLF

Dan trying out his skills. 

  CASTING PRACTICE

Fishing buddies 4 life

KICK

The woman in the back was measuring their kick speed

Despite this enthusiasm, Dylan won

 AND HELICOPTERS!

Look at those smiles. 

Dylan's ready to go save a life.

This was the Family Fitness Expo in Clio, MI. If you have kids and a chance to attend next year, We'll see you there. What a good time!

Fascinating

While blowing bubbles, Cole discovered that our patio blocks changed color when they got wet. He spent the next 30-45 minutes exploring all the things he could do with water, sticks, leaves, hands, and patio blocks.

Sunday morning

You know those mornings that just don't seem to go right. Everyone's a little irritable, you're running late, and you just want to start over? This past Sunday was one of those days for the Smith family. So, as we picked up Emily from a sleepover and knew that we were in no way going to make it to church on time...we gave the morning a U-turn. 

We started with breakfast at a local diner where the kids enjoyed their game-filled placemats and crayons maybe even more than the stack of pancakes. We weren't quite ready to head home after breakfast so surveyed the family for ideas. 

This one was Emily's...

And we had a blast!

Changing Spaces

More than two years ago, Dan and I (more Dan than I) tore down the wall between our kitchen and living room opening up the space and making a huge difference with my level of comfort in our new home. However, what was left was a wall shaped hole in the flooring that has been left poorly covered by a loveseat and a rug. We finally took the plunge and put in new porcelain tile through the kitchen and dining room. Yay, to having both beauty and function. 

Here's the tile we picked out

With carpet in the dining room and holes in the floor.

A beautiful new creation

  And a kitty to pose for you. :)