Bonfires and Lollipops

Over the weekend we went to my parents. John was out of town on a men's weekend and my cousin Tina came up from Florida. As always, Tina brought the kids some surprises - among them giant Disney World Lollipops (or as Isaac keeps calling them - lollipolli's).

Ask my kids what they do at their grandparents house and they will give you any number of answers about fire. My dad has them all loving bonfires, flashlights, and smores. So since we were all there over the weekend there were bonfires each night at dark.

Hope you like the combination - fire and sugar. My kids sure did!

Livy playing games on Tina's phone.

Isaac and Livy with Tina.

Hooray for Lollipops!

Around the fire- it looks like it is snowing- but really it is ash falling.

Let the Festivities Begin

The Hoots spent this weekend at my parents. I think this may be my children's favorite place on Earth (or at least a close second to Disney).

When Ethan realized we would not be there again before Halloween he insisted we carve a pumpkin and go to a Fall Festival.

So of course we did both.

I have some holiday loving children.

Ethan and Liv scooping out the cuts.

Ethan is in the zone.

While the other two were scooping - here is what Isaac was doing.

His conclusion - "This does not taste like pumpkin pie!"

Starting the carving.

My mom probably had 100 fancy stencils to make an ornate or creative pumpkin face- however Ethan wanted to do his own design.

Isaac likes it!

The finished product.

A masterpiece according to Ethan.

Apple Picking

A couple weeks ago we joined some family friends and went apple picking. This is our second year going to this particular farm and we have really enjoyed it. Last year, we waited too long, and there were basically no apples left. This year, we went earlier and there were plenty of apples, but it was still blazing hot. One of these years we will get it just right!

Pretty lady picking Golden Delicious.

All three trekking through the orchard.

Olivia watching the apples get counted, bagged, and priced on the shoot.

The gang getting ready for the hayride.

Little man killing a little time on the tire swing.

First Day at a New Preschool

Isaac and Olivia started pre-school last week and our house returned to normal! I do much better with a schedule! Even though I love summer- I am always happy to see routine and order return. The twins started at a new pre-school this year (mostly we just wanted different curriculum) and they have loved it so far.

Check out my big kids! Where have all the babies gone?

The Watauga River

One final post on our mountain day and then I will be on to some other events in the world of Hoots. After ruining our teeth we walked around a park that backs backs up to Mast General store. At the back of the park is a river... the Watauga River. We came to this park many times in college, I have walked around it a thousand times, and I never really noticed the river. I am sure I noticed it was there - I had just never paid it much attention. But, as we turned the corner on the path and the river became visible all six blue eyes lit up. The first question, "Can we get in?". So the kids jumped right in clothes, shoes and all. It was cold and beautiful. Here are my cute cold kids.

Trying to stay somewhat dry.

Gave up on the dry idea and went under.

Crying because it was cold on little southern toes.

Our Dentist Loves Us!

So, after we stopped on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we took the kids to one of our favorite places.

The Original Mast General Store

John worked at the annex in college and we have loved it ever since. Truly an old timey kind of store (with some great modern stuff - like Chacos). One of the best parts is the Candy Barrel. We let our kids pick out anything they wanted and get soda in glass bottles. They were thrilled...

One happy guy with his root beer.

Isaac would not drink one sip of his. He decided he hates soda.

Candy for all.

Enjoying some good ole fashioned sugar.