Halloween

We enjoyed Luke's first Halloween last night! We decided to wait on trick-or-treating until he can walk and eat the treats. So we joined our neighbors for their annual driveway party and enjoyed yummy chili, passing out candy, and eating a few treats of our own. Luke munched on crackers, played with his friend Madeline "Miss Monkey", and just looked adorable in his alligator costume!

Despite no actual trick-or-treating Luke was not short in the treat department. Our friend and neighbor Meredith (Madeline's mommy) filled a very cute pumpkin sack with toddler treats and Nana & Papa brought over a treat bag with puff cereal and a few treats for Luke's Mommy and Daddy too!

My sweet alligator!

Madeline "Miss Monkey" smiling with Luke's Nana.

Aunt Sarah "Cinderella", Nana, and Papa stopped by to trick-or-treat and visit for a while. Then they went to Chipoltle for dinner...on a side note, Chipoltle gives out free burritos on Halloween if you come dressed in costume or as a burrito (i.e.wrap a little tin foil around yourself for free dinner!).

Looking for treats.

Winding down at the end of a fun evening.
Good night hugs for our next door neighbor Lorie. See you later alligator...

HallZOOween!

This morning we met friends at the Cincinnati Zoo for HallZOOween! Kids are encouraged to come in costume and there are special Halloween events during the day...like treat stations, pumpkin smashing & eating by the animals, and pumpkin carving demonstrations (by the zookeepers...not the animals). We were a little early for most of the activities because we were trying to fit in our visit before afternoon naps, but we did manage to pick up a couple of treats before leaving. I was so worried today would be rainy (after all the rain yesterday) but it turned out to be a beautiful sunny crisp Fall day at the zoo- perfect for bundling up and drinking hot chocolate while visiting the animals. We will definitely be making this a new family tradition : )!

Corinne "Flower", Luke "Alligator", Bryce "Elephant",

and Adam "Dinosaur"

They were all SO cute dressed in their costumes!

When Luke smiles his big wrinkled-nose-grin you can now see two top teeth coming in!

Cuddling with Mommy. We love how Luke gives us hugs and kisses!

Staying warm with hot chocolate!

The giraffe exhibit is so cool, Luke and Daddy were able to feed the giraffe a piece of leafy green lettuce. See the giraffe tongue reaching for it? Mike actually got licked by the giraffe! We encouraged him to use a little hand sanitizer after that encounter : ).

Such sweet kids...

One of the treats being passed out was a cup of UDF icecream. Luke enjoyed a little bite and then Mommy and Daddy helped finish it. A fun way to end our time at the zoo!

A cute side story...
While Luke was enjoying his nibble of ice cream a zoo keeper stopped us and commented "I didn't know alligators enjoyed chocolate ice cream." I said, "Of course they do! Maybe the zoo should consider adding it to the zoo alligator's diet. I think they would like it." Then he asked, "What kind of alligator is he?" Mike responded, "A wiggly, tired alligator." The zoo keeper said, "Yes, I'm familiar with that species!" So are we...and hopefully after a nap our little 'gator will be all smiles again!

"Get your blog on!"

Yesterday Mike said "Megan, you need to get your blog on!" and post all of the pictures we've taken over the past couple of weeks. I admit when it comes to blogging I have been a bit of a slacker!! So I think I am finally caught up now...enjoy our past two weeks in review!

Also, a few pictures at home with our pumpkins after we returned from the pumpkin farm...

Pumpkin Farm

On Saturday we went to one of our favorite places...Hidden Valley Fruit Farm! I love our family tradition of going to the 'pumpkin farm' and look forward to the apple fritters, pumpkin donuts, and fresh apple cider all year!! Of course picking out pumpkins is also part of the fun! This year was extra special because we shared the experience with good friends and our sweet baby boy!

After our visit to the apple orchard last week and Luke's new found love of apples I think he is trying to take a bite out of this weird looking apple. Sorry buddy, this isn't quite so tasty!

Luke and his friend Adam chillin' in the pumpkins.

Luke, Corinne, and Adam in the pumpkins!

I like this one Mommy!

This pumpkin patch is fun!

I found some more my size!Mommy's little pumpkin!

Zoo & Park

First...The Zoo
Last week Luke and I met friends, Betsy and Corinne, at the Zoo for a fun Tuesday morning. It was beautiful out and we enjoyed strolling through the exhibits and even visiting with a few friendly goats. Of course, they may have been more hungry then friendly and I think they would have enjoyed a few cheerios from Luke's snack cup if we had shared them!

Luke and I enjoyed lunch al fresco under the shade of a table umbrella.

A few feathered friends tried to join us...
Luke loved watching the peacocks as they strolled around us. A few brave birds even got close enough to munch on crumbs Luke dropped on the ground.

Next...The Park
On Wednesday I took Luke to the Park for... a stroller ride (i.e. mommy needs some exercise),

swings (Luke's favorite),

ducks (this time we did share our cheerios), and

a picnic!

Non Camping Camping Weekend Continued! (Finallly!!)

So...here are the pictures I promised a week ago. We had such a fun time with our friends! Thank you again for being such great hosts and making it such a fun and memorable time. We enjoyed every minute and are looking forward to our next non camping camping trip!!

Kristi and Luke visiting on her front porch.

Walking to Chris and Chrissy's house. Luke really enjoyed riding in his new sling!

Family photo at the orchard.
Luke looks a little old school rapper, but I think he's cute!

Luke LOVED the apples. He kept asking for "bites."

The "Apple of Friendship"
We all took a bite of this tasty little apple. There is nothing better than eating an apple straight from the tree in the middle of a beautiful orchard, except maybe sharing that apple with friends!

Did I mention that Luke LOVED the apples!?!?
Watching BJ find the perfect pumpkin.

Mission accomplished.

Chris and Chrissy have several beautiful gardens at their home. ( I was very inspired for our own garden next spring.) They were so kind to share flowers, an eggplant, and tomatoes with us! Even Luke enjoyed the eggplant parmesan that I made for dinner last week. Here are a few pictures from their garden, aren't these flowers gorgeous!

Non Camping Camping Weekend

At the apple orchard...Kristi, Chrissy, Megan & Luke, and Jessie

We just returned from our Non Camping Camping Weekend! This is an annual reunion with some of our very best friends from Purdue...Kristi & Cary, Chrissy & Chris, and Jessie & BJ. What began as a weekend of camping a few years ago quickly turned into a fall weekend retreat filled with all of the things you might do while camping- without the camping part. This year was hosted by the Millers and Smiths in Indiana and we had a wonderful time sharing delicious meals, enjoying great conversation, watching football, playing frisbee golf (for the guys), going antique shopping (for the girls), and even making a special trip to an amazing apple farm!! (More pictures coming soon!) We are already looking forward to our next non camping weekend!!!