Pumpkin Patch and Carving!

We went to the pumpkin patch with Jonah's preschool class on the 24th. We got an okay pumpkin but it seemed to be slim pickins in the patch at that point. I don't know if the patch had just been picked over already or what. Oh well....we got a pumpkin regardless. But it was too little to carve so we went and got another pumpkin elsewhere to make our jack-o-lantern.

This is Will, Jonah's best friend in his class. They were in the same class last year as well and apparently, are attached at the hip according to their teacher!

And now, let the carving begin!

This is the face Jonah wanted....

Reagan tries to escape with the pumpkin top!

The finished product!

A little fall craftiness

Self-admittedly, I am not the most creative person, especially when it comes to doing things with the kids. I guess the thought of the mess that will be made keeps me from even breaking supplies out to do things with them. I know, I know....it's pathetic. Well, the other day, I guess I was needing to feel like a good mom or something because we actually did a few things!! The kids and I decided to get a little into the fall spirit. We went and bought a few pumpkins and covered them with "stained glass" aka tissue paper. Unfortunately, there was a limited selection of tissue paper colors at the store, so the pumpkins ended up looking a little ummm....patriotic I guess. With the upcoming election though, I guess it actually worked out ok. They had fun nonetheless, so....who cares there are red, white and blue pumpkins in my dining room?? :) Here are a few pics....


Then, we made Halloween cookies (place and bake....not homemade. I wasn't that on the ball!) and enjoyed them followed by a little snuggle time on the couch. It was great now that the weather is finally feeling like fall!


We went to the pumpkin patch with Jonah's preschool class today. I'll try to post some pics soon!

You might want to grab a drink and snack.....

...this is bound to be a long post! I know I haven't posted in a while....a few people have been fussing at me about that so I will do my best to catch up before I have to go to work!

So....let's see if I can remember what's been going on. I guess to start, we are thrilled that fall is finally here! The kids have been outside more thanks to some cooler weather, football has started up again (GO HOKIES!!), Rush and I have had hours and hours of political discussions thanks to the upcoming elections, the last State Fair in Richmond is over (Rush is thrilled he doesn't have to work it anymore!), and we have done some travelling. So, without further ado, let's jump right in....

Playing in the yard....

The State Fair... Reagan didn't enjoy her pony ride so much!

Then we checked out a straw maze on the way back to my mom's house.

I went to Dallas to the 2008 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conference. This is a group I am involved with through church and the convention was awesome. It far exceeded my expectations. We stayed at a Gaylord Conference Center which was unreal. Here's one pic of the interior....
Ok...so I got back on a Sunday, unpacked, did laundry, repacked, and on Monday, we headed to the mountains. We went to Douthat State Park and stayed in a cabin for a few days with the kids. This is the place we were when we found out I was pregnant with Jonah....we haven't been back since then (5 years ago!!). We had a great time. The cabin is pretty rustic...no phone or tv and not glamorous by any stretch of the imagination, but it had a great fireplace, which ended up being a good source of entertainment. Rush even got some packets of stuff that you put on the fire and it turns the flames different colors. It was weird checking out blue and green flames! We did some fishing and hiking (as much as you can do with a 4 yr old and 18 month old), Jonah caught his first fish, and we explored around a bit. It was a great time!

Our cabin...#23

Ready for a little fishing...no luck on this attempt!

Let's try some hiking instead!


Jonah's first catch....a little bass!

We went to Natural Bridge one day.....


And to Goshen....

On the way home, we stopped at Carter's Mountain in Charlottesville for some apple picking.




Next week, Jonah is off to Sea World with Rush's parents! I am jealous! I'm sure he'll have a great trip and be more than spoiled rotten when he returns. :)

On the adoption front, there's not much to tell. We have been told that ANY DAY NOW we should be getting our Immigration Approval, the last thing we need to complete our dossier paperwork to send to China. So, we are trying to continue to be patient, but after waiting for over 3 months, it's getting annoying! Also, we heard back that we were not selected to receive a grant from the foundation we applied to. I wasn't as disappointed as I thought I would be. I know God will open up other doors for us. Plus, like my friend Rachel told me, if the money's not coming to us, at least we know it's going to another family who has the same goal as us....to bring a child into their family through adoption. So....I guess everyone wins.

Ok, I'm out of time for now. Stay tuned.....