Pumpkin Time!

After hearing wonderful things about Critz Farm, we took a little drive last weekend to pick out a pumpkin.  It turned out to be a really nice place with food, an amazing playground, cow train rides, lots of pumpkins, live music, and hard cider for the moms and dads.

Story time at the zoo

Someone knows he's making a pretty good owl.

Family Camping Trip!

We spent last weekend at Watkins Glen State Park.  It was our first family camping trip.  The kids learned how to build a campfire and roast marshmallows.  We hiked the 1 1/2 mile trail at the park to see all the waterfalls and walked the Indian trail above the waterfalls back.  We visited an animal farm refuge the next day and got to pet giant pigs and cows.  Everyone had a fantastic time.  It was a perfect weekend to go and see all the leaves on the trees change colors.  The Fingerlakes region really is one of the prettiest places we've been.

Achievement Unlocked: Tae Kwon Do White Belt!

Tonight Joseph passed his first test in Tae Kwon Do, earning his white belt and the high fives of his classmates.  Joseph claims it might be his "best day ever."  The video shows him performing his basic motions, kicking and breaking a wooden board with his "hammer fist."

Here's Joseph with his Tae Kwon Do Master in kicking stance.

Another photo with Joseph and his belt... he wouldn't smile in any of the pictures because he wanted to look tough.  I think he looks ready for his first Ultimate Fighting Championship bout.

Pancakes: Breakfast of Lil Devils

The butterfly dance

Happy 5th Birthday, Lena!

We celebrated Lena's birthday today with a Ballerina Tea Party.  Her friends from school and ballet class all came.  The girls got to decorate tea cups and saucers, make bracelets and necklaces, dress up like ballerinas and dance, and eat fancy tea party food.  The kids and parents all seemed to have a great time.  So did the birthday girl!

Dancing like a butterfly in her wings from Nana and Granddad.

A princess ballerina cake.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!