Oh, it has been awhile since we posted pictures… this fall has been busy, busy, busy (but fun!).

In September, we had another great day at Millstone Creek Orchard. Almost missed the last of the apples. But we got enough for a batch of apple butter, some apple cider, and a couple of pies. YUM.
We had lots of visitors this fall.
My Aunt Mary came down from NY for a great long weekend. We took Jonah to the Durham Life Science museum to check out their new dinosaur trail and the butterfly house. Mary and I enjoyed an evening at the Umstead Spa. Mary joined me at my ballet class and then we went to see the Carolina Ballet perform Swan Lake. We took Ella and had a lovely “ladies night” at the ballet. Kids loved having her here. Great visit.
Then, Leah, Katie, and Eddie came. We took all the kids to a Carolina Hurricanes Hockey game. We tailgated (although we are amateur tailgaters) and then had a blast at the game (it was actually the last game the Hurricanes have won so far this season!). Eddie cheered and clapped and was a HUGE fan. Ella screamed her lungs out. Jonah had fun until the middle of the third period. He told Andrew, “Dad, tell all these people to be quiet so I can watch the game by myself.”
While Andrew got a surprise ride in a Stearman bi-plane at a Sanford air show, we took the kids to a corn maze. It was a first for all of us and it was fun (corny-but fun! Ha ha !). Hay ride and bouncy castle at the farm were also a huge success. Andrew babysat all three kids while the sisters went to the Umstead Spa (I certainly was spoiled with all the spa time!!). All the siblings hung out on Sunday. Great visit.
For my birthday, we took the kids to Atlantic Beach for a kite festival. Gorgeous weather! The kids were in their bathing suits on the beach. Warm, sunny, and beautiful. Kites were amazing. We also visited Ft. Macon and went to the aquarium twice. The kids were enthralled with the rays and we spent a long time just petting the rays. Ella got chosen to be the shark “model” during an educational session. Afterwards the educator let Jonah were the shark fins so he didn’t feel left out. Kids also loved being in the indoor pool (Jonah preferred the hot tub, of course). There was a graphic indicating that diving was not allowed. He thought it meant: “No Spikey-Hair.” Kids loved being in the hotel right on the beach (and so did we!)

Fall has also be full of time at the park, walks and rides on the greenways, ballet classes, gymnastics, guitar lessons, Y Princess meetings, Driveway parties, and work, work, work…

Sarah, Andrew, Ella, and Jonah