FALLing more often....

Home from vacation and Fall is in full swing.

Am finally over the hump of feeling nauseous and tired, so it's time to have fun.  Now that I feel good, I have made it my mission to go to the gym every Monday when both kids are in school. I am and will stick with it.  Feels so good to run on the treadmill, and release tension. I usually get 3 miles in, and then do some arm exercises. Luckily I don't look pregnant enough to get many side eye looks at the gym just yet.  The kids have named the baby "Cookie". Anytime they refer to my belly or the baby they call baby B, cookie, kinda cute.  Wonder if it'll stick once Baby B #3 comes out.

Early October Bump

Late October Bump

The weeks seem to be flying by with Ashlyn in school 3 days a week, ballet, and gymnastics. Austin has quickly adjusted to school, and we don't have tears at drop off.  He goes NUTS when he sees me at pick up though, jumping up and down with excitement. Glad it only took a few weeks for him to want to go to school. He LOVES Miss Amy, talks about her all the time, think he might have his first crush.

 Ashlyn's 4 Year Preschool Photo

And the weekends are filling up with fun activities like Bengals games and hayrides.  This time of year makes me so happy, sunny days, cool nights, light jackets, crisp apples, pumpkin carving, school parties, zoo visits, and Halloween.

Pretty in Pink (Pinkalicious)

Pumpkinfest Field Trip

School Field Trip

Picking pumpkins with daddy

"Cookie" got a very bumpy ride through the mud

Pumpkin Patch Fun at Windmill Farms

 Yearly growth picture

Rooting for the tigers while making crafts

L&L Railroad trip 

Mastering the corn maze

 

Helping daddy carve a pumpkin

Hello Kitty Pumpkin that daddy free handed, impressive!! 

My little Monsters!

 Book Bums Halloween party with friends

A very warm night game

Hall - ZOO - ween 

Dorothy at her school Halloween party

Austin's school Halloween party

And of course it wouldn't be October without Halloween.  Ashlyn got a bride costume for her birthday, so she decided she'd like to be a bride for Halloween.  Sweet, no added cost of a costume for me, done! Now, what to dress Austin up as?  Every bride needs a groom of course.  I know.... I really did it... It's a bit crazy.  I made my kids, brother and sister, a bride and groom.  It was sooo cute and will only work at this stage in life, so why not?!?! Cutest bride and groom i've EVER had for sure. And Austin in his little tuxedo (borrowed from Lisa) was a huge hit.

Ashlyn checking out her curly hair for her veil

Darling.....

Dashing....

TOO DARN CUTE! (even in the freezing cold)

Trick or Treat

 And a bonus visit from the fire truck

I FALL more and more in love with my kids, and life, everyday!

Road Trip to SC

It is rare that Matt takes time off work, so when we had to head to the Carolina's for John and Lindsay's wedding we decided we would take a MUCH needed vacation.  Our first family vacation alone,  Austin's first visit to the beach, our first major road trip as a family of 4, and my first time back to Clemson in almost 6 years.

We decided to spend our week in Myrtle Beach, making our way back across the state and ending in Asheville, NC for the wedding. The kids did awesome on the trek down, being extremely easy travelers. We lucked out, since we went a week after "high" season ended, and got a GREAT deal on a 2 bedroom suite a mile from the beach.  Not only was our suite gorgeous, but the resort had huge pools, a lazy river, shuffle board, ponds, playgrounds, mini golf, and much more. We were spoiled with activities, without even having to leave the resort.

Ashlyn loved the beach and the water. The waves were really rough, even I could barely stand, so we had to be cautious of the kids by the edge. Matt certainly got his exercise taking the kids in one at a time to jump the waves. Austin was really into it the water the first day, but quickly became a towel bum and preferred just laying....or sleeping on the beach. No complaints from me on that one!  We made lots of sand creatures, and everyone got buried in the sand. The beach, fun for all ages!

We'd hit the beach late morning, pack a lunch, Austin would snooze on the beach, then we'd go back and swim at the pool then shower and hit the town for dinner.

We did a little bit of everything, walked around the boardwalk, did broadway on the beach (which had restaurants and carnival rides), ate on the water, and had pizza in.  Vacationing alone was nice, we only had ourselves to report to, could plan our day around what worked best for us, and go with the flow of the kids and our mood. It was truly relaxing, fun, and great memories for all of us.

We were sad to leave the beach, but had to move on to more fun.  Our first stop was an overnight visit with my BFF Stephanie. We got to be their first house guests, as in they moved into their house a week before.....now that's a true friend. Ashlyn and Addie were in heaven having a fun sleepover, doing more talking then sleeping. It was 24 hours that passed too quickly- wished we lived closer to do it more often.

Our next stop was a few hours at Clemson.  Drove around campus to check out all the changes, ran around Bowmen Field, had lunch downtown, then followed the tiger paws on to Greenville. Proud mama moment, as I was super excited to show off my alma mater to my kids.....even if they'll never remember it! Maybe i'll have a future Tiger....hint, hint kids!

Our last stop before Asheville was a visit with Nicola and Rhys. I hadn't seen Nicola since we were both pregnant with our little guys, so it was an overdue and fun catch up. I think I need to move to SC, beaches, mountains, warm weather, and the most amazing people in my life. Oh how I miss my friends!   Austin loved his playtime with Rhys, and it was another 24 hours that passed too quickly. 

Is it vacation time again?!?!?! Way too much fun that passed by way too quickly!