Hiking

During one of our trips to Cassville we went to Roaring River to hike. After all of these years of hiking there we actually found a new trail that we didn't even know was there. We weren't really planning on hiking and so we didn't have K's pack so it made the hike a bit more difficult as we just had to pass him back and forth to carry.

No matter who had him, we all had to understand that the stick came with him. It was his own little walking stick.

We made lots of stops along the way as K is at the age where he is interested in everything. We probably hiked for 30-45 minutes and the total number of "What's that?" more than doubled that.

Apple Butter Makin Days

One of the highlights of the fall is returning back to Mt.Vernon for Apple Butter Making Days.

K started the weekend by riding this trike around everywhere. He was set on riding it as soon as he woke up, which you can see was accomplished as he still has on his pajamas.

K and John Paul were very excited about the parade. John Paul loved getting all of the candy and K loved the bands.

He would dance from beginning to end and he was more entertainment for us then the actual parade. There were a few times that he wanted to join in with them and march beside them so we had to keep him close by, but for the most part he just danced and gave everyone around us a good laugh.

We have to pick up our yearly supply of Apple Butter. It is cooked right on the square.

The weather was great during the weekend and we were glad that we were able to return home and enjoy ABMD.

We think that K liked everything about it, but we know for sure that he loved the "bounce house." Even though he may have been a bit young for it, he just went right in and did the best that he could. He loved it so much he started crying when we made him get out. He still asks to go back so that he can "bounce, bounce, bounce."

Fall Craft

I love pinterest- This is just one little craft that I got from there.  It was easy with a little mod podge and scrapbook paper.  We enjoyed it on our front door this fall!

Apples

One of the highlights of the Fall is heading to the orchard and getting apples. We were bummed this year as we found out that you can no longer pick them yourself, but it is still worth the visit.

 We got these a few weeks ago and we only have a few left. Next year we will have to get four bags.

Kellens First Slumber Party

K had is first slumber party with his friend Ava

They raced around-- Ava is coming around the corner

She is gaining on him

She is closing the gap

And it is a tie at the finish line!

They had fun jumping in his crib

One of the first times they weren't moving allowed us to snap a picture that isn't blurry. There wasn't many moments like this so we had to take advantage.

Building a fort!

and reading with flashlights.

We had a great time and can't wait for many more slumber parties.

Cook Out

We recently had a wonderful family cook out in the back yard.

What is a cook out without smores?

Or a battery operated marshmallow toaster!!

Puerto Rico- Part 4

Our fourth day was definitely the highlight of our trip. The meetings were over and so we were able to head out for an all day adventure. We meet up with our group and headed to another forest for some hiking, repelling, and zip lines.  

The hike consisted of going up the river bed. The majority of the hike was over large rocks and through very rough terrain so we had to have on our safety gear and use ropes to help us climb.

Once we got up, we had to come down, so that is were the repelling came in. It was our first time to repel and what better time to experience then repelling down a 100 foot waterfall.

The first step was a bit scary but after that it was a great experience.

The last part of the adventure was three ziplines that were each about 300 yards long. If you look close you can see Jill ziplining across the jungle.  

Overall, the trip was one that was full of adventure and unique experiences. For a trip that we were initially hesitant about, this was one that we will remember for a long time. It seemed like every day was a new experience and we are thankful that we were able to enjoy them all.   

Puerto Rico - Part 3

Some of the highlights of the trip was the fact that we were able to experience a lot of new foods and flavors. The unknown fact that we didn't know about  Puerto Rico before going there is that every thing there is fried. We don't use the term "everything" loosely, because all meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, have something fried. This is a good thing for a meal or two but after a few days, we were looking for anything that resembled a fruit or a vegetable.  

We visited this row of kiosk, also known as heart attack alley for lunch one day. It was 41 kiosk of anything and everything all stuck in deep fryers and sitting under heat lamps. Probably not the most sanitary place that we have ever eaten but hey - it's all about the experience.   

One night we were able to go on a nighttime kayak tour. In Puerto Rico there is a body of water that has some microorganisms in it that will glow if there is movement around them. So you paddle out through this huge tunnel of mangrove trees to the lake, and once there you stick your paddles in and it is like a glow stick everywhere around you. There are only about five places in the world where this can be experienced and it was really cool.

It is completely dark and the only thing that guides you is a small light on the boat in front of you. Needless to say there were some pretty crazy times as we are not the best paddlers in the world, but we still made it through it and were still smiling at the end.