Irons Fruit Farm

For the last two years we have gone to Lebanon, Ohio, to Irons Fruit Farm. It is such a fun place to go this time of year. With Aubrey being a year older this year, it was more enjoyable for her. She really enjoyed every part of it. We saw various kinds of animals outside, Aubrey rode on a little ride designed for the kids that was free, went on a hayride to the pumpkin patch where we picked out a pumpkin, and finally went in the bakery.

On Wednesday, I took Aubrey to the library and this was one of the books I picked up for her. I knew we were thinking of going to the farm today, so I thought this would be a fun way to let her know what we were doing. She remembered every day from then til this morning what the plans were and would say, "remember?" She was so happy this morning when we told her she could take the book with us and look at it on the way there.

Silly girl...

On the hayride heading to the pumpkin patch!

Love her pensive look here.

"Over there, Daddy!"

My favorite people with our prize pumpkin!

The cool little ride!

She followed the instructions (don't stand up and don't cry!) and had a great time!

Taking time to smell the mums. :o)

Checking out the bunny!

Fall Retreat

Every year for the past while, "our" church (Lima) has a Fall Retreat at the Beulah Grove Campgrounds. It is so much fun and we have been able to go to all of them, I'm pretty sure, except for when we lived in Cayman. This year was no exception. We had a great time together.

Marea and Sarah checkin out the homemade bread.

Cousins, enjoying one anothers company, for the moment anyway!! :)

Cathy and Marea talking "recipes"

Would you check out those pants?! Karys was having lots of fun...which I'm sure her mother wasn't when it came time to do laundry!

Karys and Aubrey enjoying the kitchen set that Mom brought down.

Connie Howell brought a karaoke machine and here the youth are having a ball with it!

Little Tyler was trying to make a get-away!

Merlin and Joe enjoyed playing their harmonicas and the kiddos enjoyed watching a slide show on Pastor Bill's laptop.

The master-griller, my bigger bro!

Merlin carefully kept an eye on the homemade apple butter.

These pictures don't do justice for what went on this weekend. From quilting, to eating, to couponing, to fighting (boys, boys!!), to eating, to writing articles for the Pilgrim website, to enjoying campfires, to cooking, to eating, to the jumping castle for the kids,to eating, to the football games, it was quite the weekend. Oh, and did I mention the food? It was AWESOME! Our people know how to cook!! :) I think I gained 20 pounds in those 2 days...

Momma and her sweetie

This little girl brings me so much happiness!

Aubrey's 2nd Birthday

So hard to believe that my baby is already 2 years old! She has definitely been the joy of our lives and we don't know what we would do without her. We celebrated at home on her birthday with Mamaw and Papaw Nichols and Mamaw Yount. Jennifer Bailey and Christianna Baker stopped by later that evening for some cake. They are some of Aubrey's favorite "big" friends. Meemaw and Peepaw were also here via Skype! Thank God for modern technology. It makes the miles not seem quite as far.

My mom's birthday is September 21st and Aubrey's is the 24th, so we have been able to celebrate their birthday's together the past 2 years. She was also present at her birth, so it's a pretty special part of their lives.

Adam worked very diligently to get this kitchen set together in good time for Aubrey to play with it. She still loves it! You can see the look on her face when she sees it in the box for the first time. The pic is just later in the stack.

Our little chef!

Said visitors :)

Don't worry...no one got those pieces! I happened to be in the other room getting something and when I came back in Mamaw Yount had told her that "it'd be ok!" She loved it, of course.

Said look :)

Love the look on her face. Wonder what she's thinking?!

Happy Birthday, Aubrey Nicole, we love you!