Fall

The humidity is gone (fingers crossed). The mornings are cool enough to grab a sweatshirt and want to be cuddled under the blankets a little longer. The windows are open and the breeze blows in big gusts that make me smile. I love this kind of weather. We have been taking full advantage of the exit of summer and the entry of fall. Although there are still some bugs lingering to make us a little more cranky than usual, we are getting by. Quick update-Will is on his 3rd ear infection coupled with pink eye and Jack has strep. WEEEEEEEEEE

We were blessed with a special visit from Kay Kay and Bampa last week. They arrived late on Wednesday night to the Greenville airport. I kept Jack up and at the last minute told him he would get to come on a special adventure to pick them up. I knew if he was still awake when they came in the door that he would be downstairs instantly, so maybe this would help him to use up that silly, excited energy and go to bed easily. We 'surprised' Kay Kay and Bampa by sending them a text saying just I was waiting outside in the car, when we were actually INSIDE. Jack was so excited that we were "tricking" them. Kay Kay was SOOO excited to see her Jack. We then enjoyed 4 wonderful, adventure filled days. We brought them to The Children's Museum in downtown Greenville. We have been many times already, I just have never made it to post all or any of the pictures. Jack LOVES it!

Bampa and Will on the race track.

Shopping at the Bi-Lo market!

Watch your toes-it's all going on the floor! 

Kay Kay is putting a "cast" on Bampa-Jack's not so sure about this. 

 We went back to Sky Top Orchards (I talked about it here) for more Apple cider donuts, to adventure through the bamboo forest and feed the farm animals. We didn't pick anymore apples, but did bring home a yummy bag of already picked Macintosh!

Looking at the grape vines. "I want to pick THOSE."

and we brought the wagon because.....

On top of the mountain

Will is not amused....

Is that Shen? 

Will thought feeding the bunnies was HYSTERICAL

In the bamboo forest

Jack-"Where are the pandas?" Bampa-"In China"

And of course, some apple cider donuts!

Making special cookies with Kay Kay

And the best part....eating the frosting, i mean, decorating them. 

A little for the cookie, a little for Jack, a little more for Jack...oh and a little for the cookies. :)

We ventured downtown to show off the farmer's market that we love (I talked about it here). We went to the playground, we rode on George the train (a mini train that takes you on a 3/4 mile ride around the playground at one of the parks-you even go over a little bridge). Jack and Will got to blow the horn at the end of the ride. There was street hockey and secret agents and pirates and sword fighting and cars and adventure walks. I know that Kay Kay and Bampa were worn out by the end of each day. It was busy and fun. We were all sad to see them go (especially since Will got sick the next day), but we know we will see them again soon.

On George, the Train

Go Dukes!

Go Dukes!

Until next time.....

Bampa Doc comes from Florida

We were fortunate to have another visitor come and see us in the month of June. Bampa Doc drove up from Florida to spend a week with us. Since I am waaaaay behind in my posts I will try to wrap up the details quickly and let the pictures do the talking. We had a few hot days in the beginning of his stay, but nothing he wasn't used to from living in South Florida. We spent a lot of the mornings inside playing and the afternoons at the pool. Jack loved having a someone to play with in the big pool. They went on all kinds of adventures as he rode on Bampa Doc's back through the water. I was able to have Will in the kiddie pool so everyone was happy. Bampa Doc bought Jack a snorkel and mask which he thought was very cool-until he tried to put the mask on. It was too smelly for him! Jack (and Will) played with the snorkel in the kiddie pool, taking turns filling it up with water and blowing into it to shoot the water in the air. Unfortunately, I do not have enough hands at the pool to both swim and take pictures. 

During one of the first days of his visit, Bampa Doc showed Jack the proper technique for car washing as they both gave my car a much needed bath. Before they started he asked me, "Is Jack strong enough to work the trigger on the hose attachment?" "Just wait and see I said." In the end, Bampa Doc and the trees ended up the most wet! Jack can work the hose JUST FINE! I later explained that if Jack gets a hold of the hose, Tom and I end up soaking wet in an epic battle to get to the faucet to shut off the water or try and regain control of the hose. He LOVES soaking us!

Filling up the bucket.

Getting his first lesson.

"I'm going to add just a little more water."

Shiny and clean.

Wash, wash

Rinse time.

The days were hot, but we were still able to be outside. We ran around, played catch, rode bikes and explored the backyard. Jack drove Bampa Doc's car around the circle and they played a game of "Find a ______ color car." Jack chose yellow as the color in one round of the game, but after quite some time they had to give up. Not too many yellow cars pass by here I guess. Will, although short and tiny, kept Bampa Doc on his toes. He walked all the way to the end of the cul-de-sac and just as Bampa Doc caught up to him, he doubled back and headed back towards the street. He had us all laughing. 

Trying to make a run for it. 

Just when he wasn't looking, Will doubled back to make his escape.

If only my legs were a little longer....

But I can still ring this bell....

Finally some cooperation!

Thank you Bampa Doc for driving up from Florida to see us and spend a week with us. It was crazy, but fun. We loved having you visit and look forward to our Skype dates and another visit soon.