Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Fall Fun

Visiting the pumpkin patch the first day it opened

New boots - Watching our oven get repaired (post-Thanksgiving) - Driving the train

My pumpkin amongst the giant pumpkins at Bates Nut Farm


Once again, we made the trek out to Bates Nut Farm to pick out our pumpkins. Unlike last year, when it was cold, overcast, and a bit drizzly, this year was beautifully sunny and hot, hot, hot. Kaden was intent on picking out his own pumpkin - he searched high and low until he found one that he liked. I asked him what kind of pumpkin he wanted and his only criteria was that it be "big." However, there must have been some other magical element because there were lots of big ones that didn't pass muster. Kaden's favorite part of the excursion - the hay ride pulled by an extremely large tractor, of course!


We were joined this year by our friends, the Willoughbys. Sweet Brooke always wants to hold Kaden's hand, but he's usually not into it. I guess the pumpkin patch brings out the romantic in all of us.

We've spent several days at the beach this fall. Kaden likes to re-enact one of his favorite books, We're Going On a Bear Hunt.




The highlight of this fall was a visit from Uncle Sean and his friend, Julie, over the Thanksgiving holiday. We packed the long weekend with all sorts of San Diego adventures including hiking Torrey Pines and kayaking at La Jolla Shores. Kaden made sure there was plenty of snuggle time with his new BFF, Julie, though. He was a bit smitten! He was also infatuated with our little turkey pumpkin. He fed it several times a day and each time we left the house he'd say, "Bye-bye, Turkey" and when we returned, "Back, Turkey. Miss you, Turkey." I have a feeling he's going to have as tough of a time saying good-bye to Turkey as he did with Uncle Sean and Julie.

The end of Sean and Julie's visit brought the beginning of winter. We got the Christmas season off to a good start by visiting the Hotel del Coronado and admiring all the decorations. Kaden asked to have his photo taken with each of the Dr. Seuss characters.

In the middle photo Kevin told Kaden to hold his head still - he took it literally.

We also went to see the Holiday of Lights in Del Mar. I think Kaden's favorite part was helping drive the car around the track. Everyone enjoyed the beach themes - elves playing beach volleyball, Mrs. Claus surfing, and the seashore scene pictured above. Not quite the winter wonderland Kevin and I remember from childhood.

Like us, Sea World believes that it is difficult to get in the Christmas spirit without a little bit of that wonderful white stuff. So, through the magic of technology, Sea World brought Snow World to San Diego (notice the lady in shorts in the background of the last photo). Last year, in Park City, Kaden wasn't a fan of the cold stuff but this year he really seemed to like it. Hopefully, when we visit St. Louis later this winter, he'll get to see some real snow..but not enough to cause travel delays or prevent us from seeing all our friends! As pretty as it is when it falls, we don't miss the mess it leaves behind!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Autumn in the Bluegrass

Our week in Lexington turned into two...and not a single person complained about that!





Kaden loved the Children's Garden at the Arboretum.



He also loved the Georgetown Pumpkin Patch.


Kaden took Gammi on a special date to the Lexington Children's Museum.






Even with all the fun activities, Kaden had the most fun playing at Gammi and Pop's house. Picking up sticks in the "hay-barrow" and painting the pumpkin he chose at the patch were two highlights of the trip. Sleeping was a bit of a problem, but he was just having too much fun. His verbal skills increased ten-fold in the two weeks we were in Lexington and he also learned how to blow out a candle - big events in a little life!

Kaden also had fun with friends.
Monkey Joe's with Sadie, Everett, and Lucy - Flirting with Gammi's friends Mrs. Larson and Mrs. Gibson


Clyde Maggard indulged Kaden by showing him some real dig-digs. I don't think Kaden's eyes have ever been so big!

Kaden hitching a ride on a shopping cart and chilling out with George at B&N.


Autumn in the Bluegrass, I'm not sure there's a prettier place on earth.