Pumpkin Carving

This Saturday, Daddy took a break from studying for some much needed family time, and we carved our pumpkins... a favorite tradition for us. Amelia loved it. We let her paint the outside of her pumpkin first. This is her "smile" face.

Daddy helped the bug get started gutting her pumpkin, which she immediately started eating ...

Amelia's favorite part was taking the lid on and off... over and over. The finished product:

She even let us take a few pictures afterwards. Looking forward to continuing Halloween festivities this coming weekend. Our little lion roars and everything.

Interview with Amelia

Amelia let me sit her down and ask her to show off so you could see the stuff she's been learning. I missed a few good ones but clearly she gets distracted by the cat ...

What Amelia is up to ...

Running... like crazy, and never stops. It's nice to go on a walk now... without the stroller.

She is being extremely silly ... she squeals and giggles most of the time. She has quite the personality.

She has been continually making messes, finding new places and exploring everything she can.
she is quite excited about her new second cousin, Brenna Humphrey!
She now gives this extremely forced smile when you ask her to smile ...
She is still trying to learn how to use her spoon... but sometimes get frustrated and gives up.
She is learning new things and doing new things. We collected leaves and made this ...
We are having fun watching her grow and change.

Hess Family Reunion

Every October, for the past 27 years, my dad's family has gotten together for a weekend at a campgrounds in northern Illinois. It is one of my favorite times of the year. It was great to see people, catch up, fellowship, and just be together. We had a wonderful weekend: great weather, 47 people there (I think) with only a few cousins missing.

The leaves were just starting to change

So glad my cousin, Emily got to come Saturday after work ... We missed you, Drew!

There were several board games and card games played, as usual.

(can you tell these people are related?)

And many hours spend telling stories...

James and I with my sister, her husband, and a couple of our cousins made breakfast Saturday morning. With an obscene amount of food. James making pancakes and Julia making bacon...

Amelia did GREAT! She enjoyed walking everywhere, being outside, having so many to people to see ... sleeping wasn't so great, but that was expected.

Walking...

She also very much enjoyed playing with her cousins ... this is her 2nd cousin Josiah who is 2.

It was a great time remembering my Grandparents as well. So thankful for the heritage of which I am apart. Furthermore, blessed to have James and Amelia be there as well. Can't wait until next year already!!!

Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard

On Saturday, We went to the fall festival and had oh so much fun. It is now an annual thing. We walked around several booths, took in the fall air, went on a hayride and picked out a pumpkin for Amelia.

Daddy and Amelia ready for hayride

Amelia loved it! but mostly loved pointing at all the trees ... which becomes tiresome in an orchard. "Yup, that's a tree."

Family photo...

Her favorite part was the pumpkins. And walking up and down the patch.

one of my favorites...

She found one we liked and made it back on the hayride with minimal tears

Tuesday, Bug and I went to another orchard with our playgroup. We got to pick our own apples, play in some hay, and enjoy some good cider. Bug had some rough moments ... she wanted to walk everywhere but rough, hilly ground was quite frustrating. But we were able to get some apples and enjoy friends.

Bug with her apple

Walking with Ava

playing in the straw with the boys.

Now... what to do with all these apples ???

want to see more pictures ... look here.