Pumpkin Carving

Yesterday we carved pumpkins. 

 Ava wasn't totally thrilled about digging in right away. She did finally start scooping the guts into the bowl and then made a "pumpkin pie."

 Ava and I created the face except the nose...the nostrils were Daddy's idea. 

 While Chris worked on carving the face, Ava and I put together a cowboy pumpkin.

 The finished pumpkins. 

 Ava had to bring her camera outside to take pictures with me. She made Chris and I take a turn sitting between the pumpkins to have our pictures taken.

 This was my turn to sit by the pumpkins. Had to snap a shot of my photographer. 

Special Delivery for Ava

Saturday afternoon, Ava received her first invitation to a "friend" birthday party. It's for the cute little boy at daycare she plays with all the time. I just can't believe she's old enough for all of this already. She is very excited to go to Chuck E. Cheese for the party.

Buffy's Farm Stand

Friday night we went to Buffy's Farm Stand, AKA Helen's house to buy pumpkins. It was a perfect day for choosing some fun pumpkins and gourds. I loved touching all the bumpy, warty pumpkins. Helen was happy to see me and gave me a bag to fill with gourds. 

 I put some of my little gourds out on the porch when we got home.

 As we were putting our pumpkins on the porch, Mommy noticed these cool looking mushrooms growing on the backside of our big tree stump. Perhaps it will be a fair entry for next year.

Jerry Smith's Pumpkin Farm

We wanted to take Ava to the pumpkin farm this weekend but the forecast didn't look too promising. We decided to try Friday night instead. It ended up being perfect! The temps were nice and we got there early enough that it wasn't packed and we got to roam around without battling a bunch of other wagons and strollers.

 Of course you can not visit Jerry Smith's without getting one of their amazing cookies and cider. Ava was pretty excited to show me her orange cookie.

 Seeing The Little Mermaid was the highlight of Ava's visit. She's still taking about it!

 Belle was also a hit.

 Ava shrieked when we saw Cinderella! We went on the bridge by her but Ava said, "No Mom, I want to go in and kiss her!" 

 Jumping on the hay bale maze with Daddy. 

Happy Birthday, Papa!

Ava helped Nonna put the candles in Papa's birthday cake.

 Papa tried to get Ava to help blow out the candles, but she wasn't having it.

 Make a wish!

Tremper Homecoming Parade

Last Friday we went to the Tremper Homecoming parade. It was so cold out! We all wore winter coats, hats, and mittens and were still cold!

 "Mom, where's my candy?"

 Ava was funny to listen to as we waited for the parade to start. She was crawling out of her skin with excitement for the candy to fly!

 One of Chris's awesome wrestlers was the Homecoming king. I think he was a little excited to see Chris in the audience. We were happy to see he was the king! 

Brightonwoods Orchard

I haven't been feeling the best lately, so am behind in my blog posts! Two weekends ago it was absolutely beautiful outside so we headed to the apple orchard. Ava couldn't wait to climb the stairs of the tree house.

 Once she got in she was a little upset that other kids had left the tree house so messy. She was concerned that she wouldn't be able to cook because of the mess. We picked it up and she was cooking in no time!

 We hung out on the swing for a bit to take in all the fall colors and decorations.

 Then Daddy started tickling Ava! We had a fun morning. We were a bit disappointed that we missed out of the Honeycrisp apples they had shipped in from another area of the state. Hopefully next summer will be better and their crop won't be ruined!