Christmas Town 2011

We went to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens twice this year. The first time Grandma and Grandpa were here and the weather was beautiful! At night it was mid-50's and we could get away with light jackets. Such an improvement over last year when we were freezing in the snow and over the second time we went (no pictures from that night) when it was raining and 40. YUCK! As always, the gardens were beautiful and going was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season.

Cousin Christmas

Heidi, Jeff, and the girls came out to celebrate Christmas a few weeks early since we were going to be gone most of December. Grandma and Grandpa were already here for Thanksgiving so they got to join in the fun with the girls (and Carter). Great minds thought alike for Christmas this year and all the girls got new dress up clothes. Heidi, knowing Carter well, got Carter a few new Cars 2 cars and he was in heaven. We love that we are so close and get to see the girls as often as we do.

Happy Halloween!

ARR MATEY!  Happy Halloween from our house to yours.  We were finally home for the first time in three years and the kids got to enjoy running around the neighborhood with their friends.  A perfect evening!

Pumpkin Carving

Who doesn't like a good gooey pumpkin carving session.  After picking pumpkins four times (one was Addie's field trip) we had plenty to carve.  Too bad here on the east coast they get nasty quickly due to all the humidity so a carved pumpkin is short lived.

Woods Orchard

If you were following the Presidents visit to Hampton Roads you would know that our favorite local pumpkin patch was inculded on his stops.  Woods Orchard is a super cute patch down the street that's been in operation forever.  Unlike Belmont, they did have pumpkins, and really good ones at that. 

Belmont Pumpkin Patch

It's fall... you know what that means... PUMPKIN TIME!  I love, Love, LOVE pumpkin patch photos and I'd heard really good things about the Belmont Pumpkin patch in Matthews.  So one Saturday we loaded up the car, drove an hour into the middle of nowhere, and visited the patch.  Too bad the hurricane had rotten out the pumpkins and there were none there to pick.  We did take a hay ride and walked through the sunflower field.  I doubt we'll make the trip next year but it was fun for our first pumpkin outing.

Apple Picking in Charlottesville

I have a running list of things to do before we leave Virginia and apple picking was one of those things.  On our way home from Lynchburg we stopped in Charlottesville at Carter Mountain Orchard.  Carter was so cute the whole time we were there saying we were visiting his mountian!  This place was beautiful and you could see for miles ontop of the hill.  They not only grow apples, but peaches, and grapes for wine and I definietly see another trip out there in the future. 

Dan and Liz's wedding

Henry's cousin got married in October in Lynchburg and the kids got their chance to go to their first wedding.  We had a long talk about how they needed to behave and be quiet during the ceremony and they were SO good.  Dan looked so happy and Liz looked beautiful.  We're thrilled to have her in our family.  They had their reception in an historic old building in downtown Lynchburg and it was so neat.  Lots of exposed brick and cool character.  The kids got to sit with their cousins, and after dinner all 5 of them along with Lily, Bella, and Liam hit the dance floor.  They were by far the cutest dancers out there. 

Yes, it's just water

Carter and Mia tearing up the dance floor

These little people are trouble together

GG and 5 of her 9 great grandkids the next morning

Disney on Ice

If you've never been to an ice show you should go.  I was very impressed with the skaters and the story line.  We've taken the kids to many "shows" and this was by far the best one we have gone to and while it was more for Addie, Carter enjoyed it too.