Mom and Dad's First Visit to the Home of Purple & Orange

TRICK OR TREAT!

This year I figured that we would have more kids for Hallowe'en than the 15 we had last year so I purchased enough candy for about 50 trick or treaters. Then, after dinner it started to rain.

CAITLYN KITTY-CAT

HANNAH KITTY-CAT

CAITLYN KITTY-CAT, AUNTIE WIZARD, HANNAH KITTY-CAT & BIG BABY MOMMY

LEFT OVER CANDY FOR MOMMY & DADDY!!

(We had a grand total of 20 kids)

Fall Fun? Not really!

During the last week we've had quite a bit of rain, but one evening in particular it seemed as though it was getting quite windy outside. We heard a loud noise outside after putting the girls to bed, and I checked and noticed that our barbecue had rolled into our deck table. That's when I also noticed something else different, our canopy was no longer above the barbecue. I turned the outside light on to see that the entire canopy, including the "high quality steel construction" had completely ripped out of our deck and landed partly on our lawn. Getting our shoes and jackets, Amanda and I quickly went outside in the pouring rain with a flashlight to remove the awning (canopy) part before the whole thing blew away even further.

So much for thinking that it would last us a few years, more like a few months!
Apparently, the deck screws I had were pretty good, as they stayed in place.

"LIKING HIKING" ????

As you can see, we were all smiles as we started our hiking adventure.

The girls wanted to do some exploring and wanted to find pinecones and leaves.

Starting out on our trek.

Due to all the rain we had the previous week, there were quite a few places where walking was a bit slippery due to the mud and wet leaves.

Still smiling!

Not smiling anymore. (Especially after finding out that we were only half way!)

When the sign at the parking lot said that the nature trail would take

1 1/2 hours, we figured that wasn't too bad. We got back to the car after 2 3/4 hours!

We were all grumpy, sore, tired, thirsty and HUNGRY!

As Hannah said to me after our hike "Daddy next time Caitlyn and I are bored at home, we won't come back here we will just find different toys to play with!"

Somebody Turns Seven!

We celebrated Caitlyn's birthday on October 2nd quietly at home this year, as we knew that her aunt, uncle and cousins were coming the following weekend.

Caitlyn was very spoiled this year with stuff coming in the mail for year and, yes, we waited until her 'actual' birthday for her to open all of them. (Unlike a certain Aunt from the West!!)

Caitlyn sitting 'criss-cross' apple sauce, waiting to open her mail.

Birthday cake #1 - Store bought but still yummy!


Thanksgiving Weekend - Annual Fall Parade

Three (of the four) kids waiting for the parade (and candy).
Four (out of four) kids waiting with their candy bags.

Birthday Cake #2- Homemade and yummy!

VERY CREATIVE!

Opening some more presents at Gramma & Grampa's

The bouncy castle was a hit with all the kids (and the adults!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAITLYN!

At the end of the day the kids helped take the bouncy castle down.

We then all enjoyed a very yummy Thanksgiving dinner!

Although, it felt very different for everyone because a certain someone was missing this year!