November's been fun

The days have started to go much more quickly this month. I think it has a lot to do with how I'm feeling. I changed my diet and it has seemed to help. I am still nap-dependent but I don't feel the overall "yuck" that I had been.

So we've actually gotten out to do some fun stuff. Yay!

Saturday morning breakfast at Patachou was definitely fun. Have I ever mentioned my love for this place?

I love that my kids are old enough to enjoy it too.

Especially this one. Look at that face :) That pretty much means she's up to no good with that fork and straw, but she's proud of it!

  

Then we went to the zoo. It had been several months since the last time we went. We got to spend lots of time at all the exhibits inside since it was super windy and drizzly.

We enjoyed the dolphin show, then came out to find a completely soaked stroller. The rain had finally picked up.

The orangutans were up nice and close. They are so interesting to watch. I'm sure they think the same of us!

Selah has been keeping me busy. She is EVERYWHERE: On the table, standing on chairs, getting out markers, yelling "daw daw!" (draw draw!--her favorite thing to do), and even trying to feed her stuffed animals. It's challenging to get school work done when she's awake. *sigh* But we make the most of it.

November has had a hard time deciding what season it's supposed to be. We took advantage of a nice day to go ahead and put up our Christmas lights. Nice as in "jackets only". 

(And don't worry, we weren't the only ones in our neighborhood to get them up early. I've already seen 2 or 3 Christmas trees up!)

But then it decided to get super cold!! We even had several inches of snow. The kids were thrilled that it stuck around for a few days.

Here's the beginning of the flakes. They couldn't wait to get out there. Ari is trying to catch some on his tongue. 

But by the next day it was plenty cold and snowy that we had to get out the snow suits. Even though I'm not a fan of all the bundling and unbundling (repeat several times a day), it was totally worth it to see how much joy they were having together outside just running all around and exploring. And yes, I let them enjoy some hot chocolate at 10:30 in the morning. That was a once in a lifetime thing :) But seriously, I loved watching them get along for such an extended amount of time. Plus...look at Evangeline's gloves. They came in with a layer of ice all the way around their gloves and the bottom of their boots. It was bitterly cold!

We also filled our Operation Christmas Child shoebox. The deal was that we would choose a boy or girl based off of what baby we were going to have. So since we are having a boy, we decided to send a box this year to a little girl. The kids wanted me to take their picture so we could continue to pray for her. (We have a collection of Christmas cards that we rotate through and pray for people every night, so this will be added to it.) Gotta love their hearts.

our trip to Brown County

Every year we use the greatest holiday known to bankers (Columbus Day) to celebrate all things fall.

After stopping by my grandparents (sad- no picture this year), we stopped at a clearing for a picnic lunch. The kids were so excited to be on our way that they ate in a very timely manner.

Our first stop was at the fudge shop. We only have fudge once a year and this is our splurge. This little shop makes all the fudge right in front, so the kids get a kick out of peanut butter being spread all over the counter. :)

We were so worried that we were going to be rained out this year...but it turned out to be the nicest weather we've ever had! Not too hot and not too cold, we hardly needed jackets.

We hiked down a trail and made it to the horses. After forgetting our money, AJ graciously hiked all the way back just so the kids could ride.

Ari's horse was a little stubborn and wanted to stop to eat all the leaves along the way.

Evangeline's horse was calm and kept its head right by my hip the whole way around. This girl sure loves her animals.

Selah wasn't sure what to think. She kept acting like she wanted a turn so we let her sit on there. But for some reason decided it wasn't a good idea after all. Go figure!

We enjoyed more hiking and marveled at all the trees, animals, and nuts. (I am still finding acorns around the house from our trip-some little boy had a stash in his pocket.)

The kids loved running up and down these steps. We've never been here post-wedding, it was so neat!

This was our first year staying the night in Brown County, the lodge's swimming area did not disappoint! There were things to do for all ages.

Not sure why but this little one wanted to be serious. She was avoiding any smiles for the camera.

After dinner we ventured out one more time since it was supposed to rain all of the next day.

Ari and Evangeline loved "fishing" the most.

Or I guess they were really just stirring up the mud.

It was dark by the time we made it back to the car. It was getting a little tricky not tripping over the roots in the dark!

The next day it poured and poured. Since the pool didn't open up very early, we spent some time at the nature center. I w as so surprised to see how many birds were out in the rain, they were everywhere! The kids kept asking though when it was time for the pool...they were so excited to go again.

We finally made it back for a bit before we had to check out. 

The girls were happy playing in the shallow area, while Ari tried out the slide.

It took him a while to warm up to the idea, but once he finally did it, it was "THE BEST THING EVER!" The line was short so he was able to just go and go and go.

Happy. Camper.

I'm thinking staying the night at the lodge was a good choice. We normally try and cram everything in to one day but when you have several children everything takes longer. This made it a relaxing trip with nowhere to be at no particular time. Well...except the pool!