Fall is here!

This past Saturday we took the girls (all three) to a local Tree Farm.  They held a "Military Appreciation Day" free to all active duty military and veterans.  It was such a special treat! 

They had a lot of fun activities for all ages.  They even had llamas and goats to visit and feed.

They gave us a goody bag when arriving, and I received a carnation to wear with a red, white and blue ribbon. 

They fed us a hot dog lunch.  And they also had other treats like donuts, water ice, etc. 

We took a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch and the girls each got to pick a small pumpkin for free! Riley was a riot carrying two pumpkins around, one in each hand. She had a major tantrum out there too (as it was about 1:30 pm...well past her afternoon nap time). 

The girls each got a fake tattoo put on, even Riley.  Ha ha.  They were so cheap, that they rubbed off that night (thank goodness).  Riley's said "Girls Rule" in a pink heart.  Very weird seeing a tattoo on my 18 month old, but it was all in good fun. 

There was a magic show and a craft table too. 

Riley had a blast playing in the pit of corn.  Ha ha.  Not sure what you call it?  "Pit of Corn" sounds like it could be a scary movie title.  It was a sandbox but instead of sand it was corn kernels.  How fun! 

My camera completely pooped out on us shortly upon arriving.  Dead battery.  Aaron was able to get a few pictures of us playing with corn.  Riley didn't want to leave that area. 

We had a really fun day!

Aaron was able to experience some of Fall before deploying too...

pretty dress

Another post regarding Riley's Aunt Julie and Uncle Ian...

They also gave Riley an adorable dress and "Princess" green and pink shoes for her first birthday.  The shoes fit her perfectly now.  Riley's been wearing dresses even more often now that we are attending church regularly.  I wanted to get some pics of her in this particular dress to share with her Aunt and Uncle...and of course, all of my readers!  Riley wouldn't sit still (typical) and wouldn't flash a big photo shoot smile (sadly)....but, you can still see her in the pretty dress!

Thank you again, Julie & Ian!

blankie

Riley loves her "blankies."  Her Aunt Julie and Uncle Ian gave her one of Jackson's really soft and lightweight aden + anais swaddler blanket with giraffes on it.  We liked it so much that I ended up buying a pack from Target (same brand, but a cheaper quality - I think).  Riley still likes the ones I got too.  These are her "blankies."  I have four that I switch out so that I can wash them, etc.  They are so cozy.  Riley loves soft things - pillows, blankets and stuffed animals.  So cute seeing her walk around hugging all her softies.

hugs all around

Here were some pics from the day we had the girls last, when we gave Aaron a bunch of goodies in celebration of his (early) Birthday.

Enjoy!

Riley loves Hannah's polar bear

Riley being silly

Hannah & Emillie being silly

Aaron opening his keychain from the girls

hugging Emillie

hugging Hannah

hugging Riley

kitty butt

yes - literally, a kitty butt.

weekend in Baltimore

Aaron and I enjoyed a really nice visit to Baltimore this past weekend.  We walked a lot, ate lots of good food, took pictures, saw some cool things and just relaxed.  Riley had a blast with her grandparents while we were gone.  I think we all needed this weekend, it helped to break up the normalcy around here.  Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful trip! 

USS Constellation

Hyatt (our hotel) behind the shops in Inner Harbor

Me
(It's only fair I post a picture of myself, since I'm posting some of Aaron...)

Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse

view from World Trade Center (Baltimore)

My handsome hubby...aka Aaron

Maybe someday Riley will ride one of these water dragons!

Aaron with a huge Rice Krispie...and no, we didn't buy it.

us on the water taxi

flag at Ft. McHenry

us, again, on a water taxi

Baltimore at night

Aaron and I are not city people.  I highly dislike the fast past, in your face, feel of a city.  I need a big bubble around me (at most times) and don't like feeling crowded.  It overwhelms me.  However, I do visit cities (in short trips) and enjoy many things they have to offer - like museums, theatre, shops, sightseeing, etc.  If you aren't big into cities...you would enjoy Baltimore.  If you stick around the Inner Harbor area it hardly feels like you're in the city because of the water all around.  There are a lot of people there, but if you plan it right you can visit off season and avoid some of the crowds.  I've been to Baltimore more times than Philadelphia and we're further away from Baltimore!  Go figure.  (Yes, I need to get out more!)

Hopefully you all can visit Baltimore sometime, if you've never been.  You'll have to let me know what cities you like and why.  I like to hear tips so when we travel we know what to check out, and what to avoid...

10 things

Hello readers of mine!
(Did that sound corny?  Because that was my intention.)

I thought it time to give an update.

Since my last post:

1. I've started attending church again, after a long hiatus.  I feel really good about it.  Riley's first time was this past Sunday (she did great).  I started going to this church while pregnant, thanks to a friend who introduced me to it.  Since Riley's been born, I haven't really gone.  Now that she's older I felt ready to start back up again.  They have great childcare during services and even during some women's groups.

2. Speaking of which...I signed up for a Mom's Time Out (which I previously mentioned on here) and also a Bible Study.  Both start later this month.  I'll keep ya posted!

3.  I had a fabulous girls' night out this past Friday.  We ate some yummy Mexican food and drank delicious margaritas.  It was so fun talking and just relaxing.  I really needed that time with girlfriends.  Thanks to my girls that made it, and thanks to Aaron for putting Riley to bed that night.

4.  Aaron and I took a walk one evening with Riley in the stroller.  We let her play at a nearby playground.  During that play time we got caught up in some torrential rain.  It was crazy!  We ran and hid under the slides (ha ha) and then decided to walk/jog home in the rain.  We laughed about it.  All of us were soaked!  It was a walk I'll always remember.

5.  We celebrated Aaron's birthday early this year since he won't be home with us on his actual birthday next month.  The girls wanted to do something special for him too.  We decided to plan something for Aaron this past Saturday.  I helped the girls purchase a keychain for Aaron and they came up with a sweet saying to engrave on it and the back has all three girls' names.  We gave him some other goodies too and enjoyed a delicious dinner and store bought cheesecake.  Yeah, you heard me right.  Store bought.  I had a plan of baking a beautiful cake for Aaron that day.  Had my cake pans in the oven; took them out to cool; went to turn them onto a cooling rack - and they fell apart.  I was so upset!  Everyone was totally fine about it - except me.  I was angry.  Dumb cake.  I obviously didn't let it cool enough, and didn't spray the pans well enough either.  Ugh.  So frustrating.  Regardless, we all got to enjoy some yummy dessert, some cheesecake.  (A fatty favorite.)  That is one thing I've never baked (don't have a special pan for it).  I think Aaron had a nice day.  He surely deserved it!

6.  I got my hair trimmed last night.  I felt pampered.  My hair looks the same though.  I'm so boring when it comes to hair.  There are days I forget to brush it.  No, seriously.  I pull it up in a ponytail and realize later that day (or at night) that I never brushed it.  What's wrong with me? 

7.  Riley is talking a lot.  She says "hi baby" to us.  I call her "baby" sometimes and she obviously picked up on it.  Just like she picked up on "i see you" and "cute."  She says hi to our cat too.

8.  Riley is climbing a lot.  She can completely get into her high chair when the chair is pulled out from the table.  I pulled it out the other night in preperation for dinner and came back out into the room and saw Riley sitting in it.  It blew me away.  It's amazing how one day she'll just be doing something, and it makes us stop and literally say "wow." 

9.  Aaron took off this coming Friday.  Woot woot!

10.  Aaron & I have some lovely plans this weekend.  More on that later...

Happy (belated) Birthday, Mom F!