October's Fall Festivities

Phew! October was a busy month! We started off on the first weekend going to Greenville and Clemson for the big CU/Notre Dame football game.  Oscar had spent weeks accumulating all new tailgating gear so we had no intention of even entering the stadium.  Thanks to a new gigantic tv and a portable satellite we could watch the game from the comforts of our car and tent.  And thankfully we had a tent because it rained the entire day.  We considered cancelling the trip because of the weather reports but in the end we made the trip and just let the kiddos play in the rain.  We also stopped and visited my oldest friend (oldest meaning the one that I've known the longest) and her family at the their home in Greenville.  It's always so nice catching up with Meredith and each time we see each other we're able to pick up right where we left off.....the sign of a great long-standing friendship.

pre-game treadmill run with Meredith

ready to cheer on the Tigers

our tailgating setup

yes, we had 2 tvs--one for football and one for kiddos

playing in the rain by the lake

a stop by Build-a-Bear before heading to Clemson

The second weekend of October was spent in Asheville visiting the Davis family and the Biltmore Estate. This year we stayed at the Biltmore Inn which was beautiful!  And while we were there I was able to meet up with a couple of my Oiselle teammates for a run around the grounds and brunch at the hotel.    

the only picture with the Davis girls

outside the hotel

miniature horses at the children's farm

the botanical gardens

A few days after we returned from Asheville Nana and Nono came for a visit along with little Nik.  While they were visiting, I went with Savannah and her kindergarten class on their first field trip to Maple View Farms.

On Sunday, October 18th Oscar and I ran the Bull City Half---my 4th time and Oscar's first.  On the drive home we learned that Nono had to be taken to Duke hospital after a scary fall.  Thankfully he was okay, just dehydrated,  but it did require an overnight stay which pushed their visit back three more days.  All in all it was so nice to have them here and to be able to spend extra time with them.  Next time let's just hope an ambulance ride isn't in their itinerary.  

Maple View hayride

Savannah's class

all ready for the race

The third weekend was full of fall festivities.  On that Saturday we visited Hill Ridge Farms where we rode the train, took a hayride to the pumpkin patch, had a pony ride, and played games.  On Sunday we had the Pumpkin Express train ride at the Museum of Life and Science which was immediately followed by the fall festival at the country club.

Hill Ridge train ride

this was much harder than it looked

train ride at Museum of Life of Science

Mr Choo Choo in his element

dunk tank at the country club

Mr Walt didn't stand a chance with these two

another fall day another hayride

 

And that brings up to the final week of October that was filled with Halloween celebrations at school and home.  Walker had Halloween parties on Wednesday and Thursday at both of his preschools.  Resurrection even had a Halloween parade that the parents were invited to see.

the 2-year old class at Resurrection

my little fire engine

the 2-year class at Westminster

he added a wand to his fire engine costume

pumpkin carving at home

On Friday we attended the Halloween carnival at St. Thomas More.  All the children dressed up in their costumes and came back to school to play games, have dinner, and see their friends and teachers.  Walker had decided earlier in the day that we no longer wanted to be a fire truck but instead wanted to be a witch.  Apparently we had been watching Hocus Pocus a few too many times and witches had become glamorous.  

the witch and Anna heading to the carnival

Savannah (Anna) and Katerina (Elsa)

By Saturday we were all ready to go trick-or-treating.  Unfortunately Oscar was in NYC getting ready for the marathon on Sunday so he had to miss out.  We stopped by the Tomasini's house first for a birthday/pre trick-or-treating party and right after dinner we headed out to get some treats.  Walker was a little shy and slow going at first but once he realized that neighbors were giving him chocolate, he was the first one to ring the doorbells.

my pretty little princess

and my cute as can be witch

our trick-or-treating crew

inspecting his treats

all tuckered out and ready for bed

Oscar in the home stretch of the NYC Marathon

October really is one of my favorite months.  It's always full of so many fun activities and it's a great way to bring in the holiday/birthday months.  And now it really gets busy!!