Pumpkin Patch 2011

We took a trip to the pumpkin patch to get our pumpkins before they all went away for the season. They had Toddler Town for little kids to play, pumpkin train, mini-pumpkin patch for kids to waddle through, and lots to eat. Philip had to work and Emilia was cranky, so we'll go back again in a few weeks to enjoy the festivities a little more. I still managed to capture a few photos of our trip.

Petting the chicken

Horse just her size. 

 Picking a pumpkin

One apparently wasn't enough

 Maybe this one? It tastes better!

 Could not get her to look at me, but at least she put her head in the center.

Next year we'll get to see how much she's grown.

Halloween

Very different from last year (we stayed in town and Emilia is now very mobile), but we still had fun. Emilia, dressed as a fairy princess, trick-or-treated at the Kitchens' house. She got a treat!! She was our ticket in for dinner, games, pumpkin carving, and fun. It so happens that she's our ticket in to a lot of things these days! :) We attempted to stay and watch a scary movie, but by 7:30 (yes, that's right) we were all starting to fade fast (including the little one).

She started out with the full ensemble, but as minutes progressed she ended up in only her onesie by the end of the night. I added the wings for effect so I could take a picture.

Pumpkin carving commences

Sam - really wanting to scare all the little ones coming to get candy. We wouldn't let Emilia see him like this for fear of nightmares…

Checking out the finished product. She touched the inside and then licked her hand. Afterwards, she wanted more! Really? Raw pumpkin??

The finished product: Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Trunk or Treat

Our church had a trunk or treat for the little ones. It was our first time going (Emilia was too young to go last year), and we had a great time. Emilia dressed up as a little fairy - I made the skirt and found the wings at Wal-Mart. She did very well keeping them on and not whining. She loved seeing all the children walk around asking for candy! Maybe next year the candy part will be for her.

She wasn't too sure what was going on, but was signing "thank you" anyway!

Enjoyed seeing all the boys and girls.

This is Clay…our babysitter's little boy.

We tried to get a cute picture of them together, but a one and two year old don't really understand the concept! ;)

All the boys and girls. They had some really cute costumes!

Waving to the camera :)

The Apple Orchard that was NOT like my childhood

I was very excited to go to an apple orchard with Emilia. My childhood memories of Fall consisted of pumpkin patches and apple orchards where the cider was freshly made, caramel apples stuck to your hands and teeth, hay rides were the transportation of choice, and children laughed and ran carefree. This was not the case for us this past Saturday. There were no children. There was no freshly made apple cider. There weren't even trees (we were told they were off limits). However, we did get to see an almost empty shed with a man in his pajamas selling outsourced products. The trip did give us a medium-sized bag of "freshly" picked apples, and Emilia got to play with some leaves. Maybe next year we'll find a neat little cider mill...

Choo Choo! Train Day.

Emilia and I ventured into the world of big kids. "Train day" encompasses food, families, and kid-sized coal locomotives. We picnic, chat, and ride the train - apparently this is an annual thing, so I'm looking forward to go again next year. Emilia loved hanging out with other toddlers and babies her age, and watching older children run around and play catch.

Hanging out in the big-kid train until it's our turn.

Riding the train!

Rolling over already??

This morning while I was at work and Philip was watching Emilia, she rolled over! Truth be told, she did roll over when she was two weeks old, but I'm pretty sure she didn't mean to. This time was a little different. When I got home, Philip showed me. She was on her back enjoying her duck when Philip flipped her over to her belly. She apparently didn't like it because she balled up her little fist, pushed it to the ground and rolled back over to her back (now we know her preference). We got so tickled at her determination, we witnessed it a few times before she got too mad. I managed to catch one of the instances on video.

The pictures are from her belly scooting session a few days ago. She managed to turn herself in almost a complete circle. She got three quarters of the way then gave up - so tired! Apparently she was practicing to roll over.

Halloween/First Trip

I will take this rare occasion of quiet time to update you on our recent "festivities." No trick-or-treating or crazy costumes this year, but we did manage to drum up quite a scare. Emilia broke from her somewhat of a routine at 4.5 weeks to visit her great-grandparents, grandparents, and a slew of friends in Charlotte. We didn't realize how exhausting nor alert she would be. (No naps Friday or Saturday, no matter how hard we tried!) Thus, the Minters were very very tired by the time we got home on Monday.

Papa and Emilia's first meeting!

Grandma Carolyn loved holding Emilia.

Emilia in Traci's baby cradle.

Halloween evening was enjoyed with some of Philip's friends who braved a fussy/screaming infant during a scary movie. She wasn't in the mood for trick-or-treating! This picture was taken before we left.

We got on our way home late Sunday afternoon. Due to the detour on I-40, we went through Atlanta to get back to Nashville. On the way home, as Emilia was peacefully sleeping in her car seat, the front right tire blew out while we were going 80 mph down I-85! Philip and I were scared stuck on the shoulder hoping a semi didn't cream us as we sat patiently for a tow truck...Emilia still sleeping peacefully. We were blessed by a policeman who pulled up and waited with us. After an hour and a half, we had a spare tire and were safely on our way to my cousin's for the night. The next morning was spent getting a new wheel and tire... Home never looked so good!!

The Pumpkin Patch

I was recently informed that perhaps more pictures and updates could be added to the blog; therefore, I will attempt to be more diligent in keeping you guys updated on the Minter escapades or, more precisely, the escapades of Emilia.

Last week, we took our three week old on her first trip in the stroller. We were very excited to see how well she liked it. However, she fell asleep within minutes of riding around (meaning she didn't get to see pumpkins, animals, the corn maze, or the nature trail hike). It was great to be out in the fresh air, away from the indoors. Perhaps next year she will stay awake to enjoy all the festivities!