Monday, October 31, 2011

More Fall Fun!

Fall is loaded with fun activities and great moments to be with friends and family.  Laela and Cord make the time that much more fun for me.  We participate in things that you wouldn't do unless you are a kid or you have kid.  For one, Laela's school went to the pumpkin patch at Amazing Savings in Black Mountain.  The kids got to pick their own pumpkins, have their face painted, eat snacks, and read stories with Mrs. Corrie.  Laela and Cord loved it and I enjoy watching them have a great time. 



Laela with her teacher Miss Katie

Miss Tiffany helping Laela pick the perfect pumpkin


I got one mom



Story and snack time



Ellen's butterfly
 This is the swan at our local lake.  The kids and I walk there every chance we get to feed the ducks and see the fish.  I told you all in a previous post that Laela calls him/her (i don't know which) aggressive swan - and this is proof positive of that fact.  He likes to attack out stroller which is truly funny.


 Halloween is obviously a big part of the fall.  This year Laela dressed up as a hippie and Cord was a hobo - it was my ode to Asheville.  We went to Church Street - where everyone east of Asheville shows up to trick or treat.  My camera was on the fritz so I only have a few photos, but the kids had fun and we had a great time with our friends.



Cord is with my friend Julie's son Caleb 




Monday, October 17, 2011

Family Hike

We currently live in a charming town right outside of Black Mountain called Montreat.  It is home to, among other things, a conference center, a few shops, a couple churches, a college, an aggressive swan, and numerous hiking and biking trails.  We are here temporarily in an old house called "Grandma's." It has been humorous to us how many of our friends either lived here or know someone who lived here at some point during their college years.  We are grateful to be in the 'bunk bed' house, as Alathea calls it, because it has plenty of space, is super close to church and school, and is within walking distance of a great playground for the kids.

This is the only picture I have of the house but I will get a better one soon

 Montreat also offers some great hiking and biking trails.  Hayne is the mountain biker in this family and has enjoyed being able to go out right from our house to the trails.  This past Saturday was a beautiful fall day in the mountains and we decided to take the kids for a hike up Lookout Trail.  The trail is 3/4 of a mile, uphill most the way.  Hayne took Cord in a backpack and Laela hiked.  I figured I would end up carrying her most of the way, but she was a champ and did the whole thing on her own.  She absolutely loved it and would often look for more challenging ways to climb.  In the end, we had a wonderful family outing and were kicking ourselves for the fact that we don't do it more often.

Posing for the camera:)





Ta Da!!

Looking at Black Mountain

Montreat










Ready to head down the mountain.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Best Season Ever!!!

Fall is my favorite season of the year, which is funny because it ushers in the winter which is not my favorite at all.  However,  no one can deny the beauty and energy that surrounds the fall.  Here is a short list of my favorite things.


*  Leaf change -   I live in the Appalachian Mountains and there are not many places to see more beautiful autumn colors than right here.  In Black Mountain, almost every direction you look you can see the mountains scattered with color.  It is like having a beautiful painting for your backyard.  Here are a few pictures from our house last year.



This is the view from our backyard in Montreat




The top of Lookout Trail



*  Pumpkins - Laela and I painted pumpkins this year.  For a three-year-old, I thought this would be easier and more fun than carving.  I am the least crafty person I know, so don't judge the products too harshly :)
The finished product - its not genius but we had fun!





* Fires in the wood stove - enough said!



*  Football - seriously, who doesn't like football?  Friday is high school, Saturday is college and Sunday and Monday are professional.  Something for everyone.
Watching football with Dad



* Costume parties - an excuse to act like a kid again.  Although I am terrible at coming up with costumes, I still think it is a fun idea.

This year Laela is going as a hippie!



Laela's costume last Halloween

Nick and Sara Stillwell - 2010

Amy and Lily Berry - 2010

The Darnells - 2010



* The weather - it is cold in the morning and evening but warms up during the day - most of the time:):)

*  Food - apples and apple pie, pumpkin pie, turkey, apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, etc.

* Clothes - its time again to break out the scarves, stylish boots, a warm vest, and a great fleece.
www.polyvore.com


So, as you can see, I love this time of year.  Cheers to the Fall :):)!!