Fall Festival

The first of the many fall festivals kicked off tonight!  It was 100% crazy getting out the door but so fun once we were there!

The kids loved the petting zoo...

Hilarious fall festival prizes...

Cheering brother up who was not loving life trapped in the stroller...

Nothing says fall festival like a giant cockroach...

And a fun night with friends!!!

Love all of the fun activities this time of year -- a perfect evening minus the 30 seconds where I temporarily misplaced my 4 year old that went searching for Jay to give him one of her prizes!  :)  Yay for quick reunions!!!

"We love Him, because He first loved us."

1 John 4:19

Happy Fall!

It's officially fall!!  This is my favorite, favorite time of year -- so many fun things going on!  

Pumpkin patches, fall festivals, football, etc.

As I looked back on pics from last fall, I couldn't believe we had a baby then.  That seems so long ago!  

He was a big baby but a crawling baby nonetheless!

Crazy to think now he's our big boy, almost two, and getting ready to be a big brother!!! 

Other fall news...We've officially crossed the halfway point, and I'm 21 weeks!  

No name for sweet, wiggly baby boy yet. 

Kirkley refers to him as "Peter Pan."

We busted out laughing the other night when she prayed by name for Peter Pan to grow healthy.

Another fall fave -- the Callaway 10K is coming up so start training!

We loved this last year -- so fun to run through the lights and music!

And I'm attempting to be a more regular blogger.  

Got off track this summer but I love this reminder of one of the big reasons I blog.  

Besides keeping out of state family members in the loop, I love tracking these memories for the kids.

How neat it would be if I could look back on my or Alex's childhood! 

And if you read in a reader, come out sometimes and check out the fall links on the sidebar -- fun recipes, crafts, books, etc.   If you have a favorite fall resource for me to add, send it on! 

Apple Bread & French Toast
Candy Corn Fun
Chex Mix
Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins
Light Pumpkin Bread
My Happy Pumpkin Book
P is for Pumpkin
Pumpkin Favorites
Pumpkin Kid Crafts
Soup Recipes I
Soup Recipes II

"And I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing, 

and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing."

Ezekiel 34:26

Beach Baby

We headed to the beach this weekend for a baby vacation!  

My sister had her baby last Sunday, and we couldn't wait to meet her.

Kirkley loved holding Baby Elle!!!

Jay did not notice her more than to point when we asked where the baby was.

Definitely calmed my nerves about #3 -- hopefully #1 will be a helper and #2 will be oblivious! :)

Whitney and Seth were doing 100x better than me one week out from having a baby and met us for brunch!

The new parents don't even look tired...yet!

We snuck in a little beach time...

And had lots of fun snapping shots of Baby Elle!

 

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  

Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of Truth, 

that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures."

James 1:17-18

First Day of Pre-K

Kirkley's school this year is so sweet and old-fashioned.

Even old-fashioned in the sense that we're just now getting started well after Labor Day.

I can hardly remember when I started that late!

We went to meet the teacher day and checked everything out...

 Her favorite thing ended up being the "Zebra Room" and playing in the sand table!

Jay cracked me up making himself right at home too!

Of course, he was the one the cried when it was time to go!

The next day was her first day to stay -- she was thrilled...I was a little devastated!

If she didn't love school/friend time, I'd keep this nugget home with me.

I asked if she was going to be upset and miss us, and she said,

"No, I'm gonna go in like a normal person!"

I love that it's out before lunch -- such a treasure to have sibling time while we can!

New Keds for the playground -- not white for long!

She headed right in without a second thought!

And settled right into her new room!

She loves school and loved her first day!
She reported she was the snack helper this week serving up "googles" (Bugles) and grape juice.

She picked "Old" Charley's for her first day lunch --
can't beat strawberry lemonade, fried shrimp, and mashed potatoes -- quite a combination!

She makes us smile!!!

"We will not hide them from their children,
   but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might,
   and the wonders that He has done."

Psalm 78:4

Zoo Day

There's a hint of fall in the air that makes little morning trips to the zoo a treat!

A big favorite of the day was the giraffe feeding.

We had her talked into feeding the giraffes until she saw the giraffe tongue coming at her!

And always a favorite -- playground break at the zoo!

This was Jay's first trip to really take it all in and get out and run around -- his little personality is coming alive more and more!

And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds - 

livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds." 

And it was so. 

And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, 

and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. 

And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:24-25

Savoring Summer

We're soaking up every last bit of sunshine before fall hits!  

We ended up on a crazy schedule this summer with a low energy mama so
we're all enjoying some pool time and being out of the first trimester!  

Kirkley is sooo proud of her big kicks and going under!

Jay will not be outdone and has tricks of his own!

Loving going under like his sissy!  Hasn't quite gotten the mouth closed part down but comes up happy!

"Yours is the day, Yours also the night;
You have established the heavenly lights and the sun.
You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth;
   You have made summer and winter."

Psalm 74:16-17