Young Fall festival at the Jahns

We had an absolute blast at our fall party this year! The weather was perfect, in the 50's--not so cold that it wasn't fun, but cool enough for a great bonfire! Eric and I found some fun games for the now "older" kids, like relays which he loved--

Cora and Amara loved that Maria drove up from Virginia to do face-painting for everyone and it was amazing as usual!

Amara ran around playing host all party, while Cora just slid down the giant slide as many times as possible, can you blame her?

All the kids school and activity friends came and had a blast with them--it was a really great time with all of them that we hardly ever get to see!

By the end of the night, and after a few hayrides, the gloves and hats were coming out and the kids were still going strong--on their second rounds of hot cocoa and candy. 

I know i reflect every year, but we are so lucky that the girls have made such great friends in their different sports and at school. We love this party to be able to catch up and have all the kids play and just relax!

grandma Jackie's surprise 70th party

Dad asked me to put together a surprise party for mom this year for the big 7-0, and of course I did. We agonized over the where but the when was always on her birthday. The girls and Eric did a TON of work to get ready, we invited 50 of her closest friends, and then prepped for the surprise. 

We all had a blast at the party (she was surprised.) Jim brought his food truck, Loops, and everyone loved that for sure! The cake and cupcakes were amazing, the favors were cute, and I had lots of help cleaning up. 

Mom told me it was the best party she'd ever had and seemed really happy--I guess mission accomplished for now :) 

picking apples with the Vogts

We were both happy and sad to go pick apples with the Vogt's this year--happy that it's our 4th year in a row to do this loved tradition but sad that it's probably the last, at least for a few years. 

We met up on a perfect fall day, warm, to get our hands on some yummy treats! The girls took off picking apples as big as their heads, running and exploring with Johnathan and giggling all the way. 

They love sampling in the orchard probably best of all! Some of the apples ready were very tart while others quite bland or sweet--I love their exploring. 

Rich got this great shot of all of them at the end. Cora was literally a BABY our first year in the big red chair, so we got one of those too. We grabbed our fruit slushies in the market and some other goodies and headed on our way. We did all stop at McD for lunch for the kids to play some more, but for sure we are going to miss these awesome people. 

show night at elite

Since it had been a while since we had done a full session at Elite and the last time Cora was in the mommy and me group--this was the first official "show" night for the girls and I was so excited to see them! Now, i'm there every week--but this was a time for them to get to "show their skills" and parents are allowed to get up close and really be engaged and they loved it. They were both focussing and yelling at us to watch them, you could see how into it they were. 

Amara seems to really enjoy the different stations--though she's still struggling with the floor tumbling. I am not sure if her broken arm from the winter might be bothering her mentally? Either way she was shining on the beam and bars and her handstand vault is amazing--though too fast to catch on my slow photography setting apparently...

Cora was rolling and tumbling all over the springfloor and literally smiling ear to ear with her coach the entire time. She loves make the final move with her hands above her head--i'm surprised she doesn't do it more at home!

And Amara knew her floor exercises without being coached or prodded at all. She whipped through her skills as if to say "what else do we have here" and was done in a flash. I'm betting they have her move up to the advanced class this winter. 

At the end, all the girls lined up to wave and they were all just so proud of their accomplishments. Every single girl out there was smiling--and they wanted to be there. It was so great to see them so proud of their work and I just wanted everyone to be able to share in that moment forever. 

Daisy Investiture Troop 2252

After just a few meetings and months and outings, it was time for Amara to officially become a Girl Scout Daisy! The girls made invitations and mailed them to the Youngs and the Jahns--we also signed up to bring food for the celebration and the girls got dolled up in their fancy dresses. 

The Daisies did their songs, and pledges, and their petal lesson for the week. Then one at a time they received their certificate and patch and then it was time for snacks. 

We brought Amara a bouquet of Daisies to celebrate this special day for her too and took lots of pictures of her in her smock!

Amara loved seeing all her new friends as she always does, Cora loved being involved. And it was nice having the grandparents there to share and celebrate with Amara too. I'm really glad we did this for her this year--and I hope she stays with it. 

Cora's ladybug hayride at Circle S

Cora Bee has officially had her first preschool field trip!! I was so excited to see this event roll around--that I did with Amara a few years ago--and Cora was excited too :) She and I headed out to Circle S on a beautiful day--and waited to meet up with the rest of the Ladybugs. 

Ms. Emily was soon there and we got our class shirt-but not before some posing ensued ;) haha! no idea where that came from!

Cora, Amelia and Katie all had fun climbing on the big old stumps!

(and then there was more posing)

and then group posing--after the kids played themselves out on the giant hay slides inside the barn. there was so much hay and dust flying you couldn't even see! they loved it :)

And after our doughnut and apple juice we visited the animals then headed out to get our pumpkin. Cora picked some cute ones for she and I both and then loaded back up on the wagon to our car--I took her home with me to enjoy the rest of our special day home together, I just love that squeezy girl.

grandpa's pumpkin patch

This year's visit to grandpa's patch at the Caldwell farm was bittersweet--it's last year at this location after so many great ones. The farm is changing hands, so dad won't be planting there. It's been so great for so long, we wanted to soak it up this year.

We made sure dad could go with us of course, and mom but as a bonus the Black family came too. The kids ran all over searching and sorting and it was a beautiful day!

Jackson came along too to help the girls and i got this adorable shot of he and Cora, one of my favs for sure!

It was early enough in the day to get home and have plenty of time to play--but the girls weren't ready to carve up their pumpkins yet. 

We snapped some pics of everyone, loaded up our vehicles, and got on the way! We brought most of our pumpkins home to decorate, but we'll take them to mom and dads before the girls fall party for the kids to take home of course. 

It's been an amazing run for the old patch!