Grandpa's pumpkin patch

I think dad planted the biggest pumpkins he could find this year! it was a new variety we hadn't seen before--very reddish orange, and smooth--all the better for picking and loading, according to the girls!

They seriously pointed out and picked up pumpkins for an hour. Gourds, small ones, big ones, they didn't want to leave! I have no idea how we will carve all of these, but Eric and dad were completely dirty and the girls needed 2 baths!  They didn't talk about carving--i think for now they are just enjoying the hunting.

After i finally pulled them out, we went to Circleville for pizza at Gios--that was Eric's reward, and we had such a beautiful night and great time. So thankful and lucky to have dad's patch and everyones help!

Cora didn't want to leave either--and all the big ones wouldn't fit in Eric's car. We had to have a follow truck for all our pumpkins! We have them all over the yard and in the landscaping now and I think we have enough to make a patch with all the seeds and insides when they start to rot!

Picking apples with the Vogt Fam

We were so excited to go picking apples with the Vogt family this year--a tradition we have done before, but especially to get to visit with our friends! It was a warm day, hardly for layering, but great for having fun!

We started in the patch, picking and tasting and sharing and having a great time--they ran and played in the aisles of trees, we hunted and reached and enjoyed the sunshine.

They really couldn't get the apples in their bags or their mouths fast enough--but when the bags got heavy, they just brought them back to mom and dad to carry, perfect, lol.

A quick kid picture pose is about all we could get them to stand still for. Cora had her boots off to ward any bees, but having her bud Johathan there--all was well.

We headed over to the market for some other goodies--Amish cheese, veggies, and apple cider slushies.  We have a pic of them on this big giant chair from 2 seasons ago, so we took another one to compare it to. This may be our last fall of apple picking with the Vogts, at least for a while, so we're so glad we got to do it and really enjoyed it.

cuties

I wouldn't exactly call the girls fashionable or trend-setting, but they love "fashion" as Cora calls it. Cora LOVES to accessorize and even though Amara asks "why Cora wants to be fancy all the time," Amara does her share of matching as she gets ready for school in the mornings.

Cora doesn't go anywhere without a purse or a bag--that much is entertaining, and these blue hoodies we made to go with the Upward cheer uniforms have been worn more than anything in our closets over the last 2 months!  I think they are so proud that we made them all together.

The girls stole the rhinestones Tiffany put on the megaphones for face decorating and earrings at a game one day...

and Cora picked up these snazzy glasses at Target one trip. I realize I have my hands full, but I really can't deny their cuteness. We don't get every little thing they pick up, but if they use it and play with it and enjoy it, who am I to deny "fashion?"

Cora's soccer debut

Cora was totally not sure about soccer--but looking back, neither was Amara really.  What prompted it all was Cora finding Amara's old soccer cleats in a box and saying she wanted to, so we did.  Coach Heather was great as always--cheering her on, but she was just not into it. Amara even sweetly went out and tried to encourage her, but she lost interest.

The girls did have fun playing together though and she enjoyed the warmups and playing with the other kids, but she really didn't to be out there and as started an "I'm shy" phase when it comes to organized activities lately.

It was a long half hour class (three times) but at least the weather was nice and they played on the playground afterwards together.  I don't think we need to invest in any more soccer equipment for now though.

Hilton Head Island (take 2)

We had SUCH a blast at HHI in June, we decided to book another little mini-getaway in September. We left in only Amara's 2nd week of Kindergarden, but with her blue/ green schedule, she literally only missed ONE day--and Ms. Bice was cool enough to let Amara do a vacation journal (which she LOVED) to report out to the class.

We had a great ocean-view room, plenty of space to play, and a WARM ocean--maybe warmer than in June!

The girls had a blast shell-hunting in the mornings before the pool opened up (at 9), and we did all our favorites from the last trip, including the slushie shack, playing in the pool (and BOTH girls being independent swimmers now!) Not to mention tried a few new restaurants (Amara LOVED Aunt Chiladas and made us go there a 2nd time in just a few days), stores, and just enjoyed ourselves there the whole time.

We may have just found "our place," I know the girls are counting their days to return, and I already looked to book online for summer. I just love watching them grow and develop and change in ways you don't see at home on a day to day basis. The way they play, the way they interact with strangers, it's all just magical to me.

Young's g'rents day

We decided to mix things up a little for grandparents day this year and do different things with each of them. The Youngs were up first (and actually the Jahn's never happened between scheduling, sicknesses, and conflicts)...and it was crafting and eating!  The girls painted mugs with grandma and grandpa and it was intense--clearly, as the clothes came off! haha

Amara painted for Cindy and Cora for Alan. Both great artists in their own right, but collaborated well with their partners and you could have cut the silence with a knife.

After we put the mugs in the oven to bake, we started on a cookie recipe together, chocolate chip.  Alan and Cora worked the dry ingredients while Cindy and Amara did the wet together--starting with Amara's favorite, eggs.

The girls got mixing, and grandpa stepped back to watch...then as they baked (and i supervised) they headed out to play on the swing, breaking only to grab a fresh, out-of-the-oven cookie when the batches were done.

We had a great time and I think they did too, and that they enjoy the treats of their day xoxo.

Adley turns 6~

We got to spend a lovely Sunday afternoon celebrating our friend Adley (Badley's) 6th birthday! It was mermaid and came with Ursula, great treats, time with buddies, and a fun time!

The girls loved the face painting--always a favorite and had yummy Cane's chicken and played with Adley and Kennedy who came too!

The mood was intense for present opening, but capri sun helped, lol.

And the birthday girl was stunning in her "Ariel" inspired dress! We had a ball celebrating with Adley (and mom Joy) and her parties are always just the best. Hope this is the best year yet, little Ad!

cousin visit

Aunt Virginia moved her normal July visit to September this year, so all the cousin get-togethers were right at the same time Amara was starting school. It worked out then, that we wanted to take Amara to dinner to celebrate her first day of school, and many of the family/ cousins wanted to go to dinner. There were 5 little girls 6 and under running around!

Cora was content to spend time with Amelia, Kory's new one and the youngest, but Nikki's 2 girls were there too--who Amara loves playing with, and with all the grown ups and older cousins too, the kids had a great time. I'm not sure how the owner of Grandstand pizza felt about the reunion, but the kids ate well and got along, and we all celebrated Amara's landmark first day of school.

Kindergarden!

I think Amara's Kindergarden start this year was the LAST official start date for any possible kid in the WORLD!  It wasn't till Friday September 5--later than normal because they are building new schools in the district, also staggered start for Kindergardeners, and lastly, M-Z was the final of 4 days for her class, and AFTER Labor day weekend. wow.

She (and we all) were SO excited for her to start in Mrs. Bice' class. She picked out her favorite back to school dress (she and grandma Jahn had shopped for a few weeks back) and we had the backpack, lunch bag, and supplies all laid out for weeks.  When the big day came, we all scurried to get to the end of the driveway by 7:25--since they told us to be a few minutes early the first few weeks.

We waited forever--there were some bussing mixups, but by the end of the day it was worked out. The girls played with pinecones, watched the sun and the passing cars, and talked about what we were excited for. We had been to the school a few times already, but with the big day finally here, I think we all had butterflies over the excitement of everything ahead of us.

Getting off the bus, she was SO excited. Eric made it too and of course we all had a million questions for her. She was tired, and thirsty, and it was HOT for a school with no A/C, but this will be her first and last fall to attend Darbydale, so I'm sure she will make it work.  She told us about new friends, the class, showed us her homework, told us about recess and lunch, and I think we all needed a nap after that. Maybe first day of school on a Friday with a  weekend close at hand wasn't such a bad idea after all...

A quilt for Sarah (and bonfire)

Sarah and Rich had a last hurrah bonfire/ Labor Day weekend get together at her mom's place--to see a lot of their family and friends before they take off, and we were thrilled to go!

The girls and Eric and I had been working on a quilt for Sarah--to thank her for all her time with us and also to remember us by--so we were all excited to present her quilt to her at the party. I always feel a relief when I finally make that hand off to the recipient for some reason.

The girls had a blast--Cora got to play with her favorite buddy in the world for a bit, along with a few other kids.

And Amara spent some quality time with Mr. Rich and Mrs. Sarah before it got buggy and we got chased out of there (bathing suits are not forgiving for mosquitos!)

We are so sad not to be seeing the Vogts daily like we were lucky enough to for three years, but we cherish every time we get to see them, catch up and play. It'll be interesting to see how skyping goes once they are officially too far to visit, but for now we're looking forward to holding on to them as long as we can, and always in our hearts and prayers.

Dee & Matt's wedding

Cousin Dee married her prince Matt in August at cousin Robby's farm! The girls were so excited for the wedding and were not disappointed when they saw her coming down the aisle looking like a beautiful princess (they requested no pics, so i didn't get any).

Eric and Amara got to dance a few dances together too--Cora wouldn't sit still though.

After a quick ceremony, it was all about the party and we headed to the barn. The girls loved playing in the photo props and susan and ken were at our table for dinner!

Everyone ate, played (with cousin Megan who was the flower girl) danced, ate more, and had a great time.

Amara got in with the big girls for the bouquet but didn't catch it--

and she learned some of the line dancing from the girls too

Cora wanted me to help her with some of the jumping ;)  We had a great time. The girls got in the car hungry, and we had snacks on the way home from the party--it was so fun seeing friends and family and celebrating Dee and Matt!

Cora's first dentist visit!

Cora has been excited to go the dentist since the first time I took her with me. Luckily, that excitement never wavered and she LOVED her first visit!  Amara came with us and sat in the chair for a bit with her--then Cora kicked her out. This was HER time.

The hygenist made sure to give Cora all purple things, to make her experience even better. Cora didn't even care that the TV was there or, she just asked questions about the instruments, examined the machines, and enjoyed her special attention.

She flashed that million watt smile for Dr. Z and anyone else who'd ask, and before we knew it, her apt was over. We were strolling through the hall to get prizes, a balloon, and new brush, all inside a half hour. We all went to dinner together to celebrate her milestone and Cora's teeth have a great bill of health checkup!

corn season

The corn this year was bumper crop and perfect!  We enjoyed eating grandpa's corn twice this year--he planted 2 patches!

Eric and I got in on the fun too and put up 15 dozen ears of corn for our winter stash! We had to work hard and fast b/c every strip he cut was almost taken by the 2 mini corn thieves in the kitchen ;)

The girls got to help grandpa pick the corn to sell to some of their friends. We had a few others who wanted to freeze or eat it too, so we set up a mobile selling station out of our car, and deliver!

The girls loved picking with grandpa--filling buckets wasn't hard at all, it took just minutes with our expert corn pickers!

Cora decided the juicy corn was just too delicious to resist too--she husked it and dove right in herself. It was a fight between she and the dogs to finish each ear as she opened them.