Family Funday Monday!

Welcome to Louisville cooler weather! We are so excited you are here!!:)

Today we went to a local apple orchard. When I call this place informal, that is no loose translation. We drove down the gravel path, parked on the side of the road, jumped out of the car, and started picking! We never saw one person. There was a plastic table with directions of which rows contained what apples and some apple pickers there to use. We had our fun, left our money in the bucket, and went on our way! Ronnie and I didn't realize a place like this could still exist among all the neighborhood construction and constant building development. We will definitely go back again to enjoy this "off the beaten path" treasure.

Ronnie and I were talking last night about some fun things we can do with the girls this fall. Lately, between vacation and busy days, we have gotten away from doing our fun family activities on Mondays. I'm glad we are getting back on track! We had a great morning. Ella enjoyed using the apple picker, and Kinsley enjoyed eating some apples. A good old swipe of the apple on the jeans used to be clean enough back in the day - it's got to be clean enough for my little one now! Here are some pictures from our outing.

State Fair

Yes that is Keith - Right in front of us!:)

Ronnie asked me the question, "Do you think a place like California has a state fair?" My response, "Probably, but I doubt it is exactly like Kentucky's."

For those of you who have been, no explanation needed. Don't get me wrong, I love it and love the tradition of going with or meeting my parents there on opening day with the group they bring from church. However, you do see lots of interesting things. My dad and were commenting on how you have never really truly experienced people watching until you have experienced it at the fair! Everyone - I mean everyone - comes out for the fair!!!:)

Ella (and now Kinsley) love the animals and all the fun farm yard friends you can pet and watch. I'm sure the day will come where they care more about their shoes, the aroma, or what they might step in than the visiting the four legged friends, so I will relish these days while we have them! Ella got her "tricycle driver's license" from the KY State Police. I believe I was the only mom on the track with their 4 year old. We can either blame that on her inherited clumsiness (from me), or take it as a sign we need to practice riding the bike more! Of course, Ella's absolute favorite thing is the free stuff you can pick up at the booths. If they have chocolate candy, even better. She is a girl after my own heart!

So here are some pics from our fair days. Ronnie and I actually made a date night out of it this weekend and saw Keith Urban in concert. (Thanks uncle!) Ella saw the pictures on my camera and asked, "Who is the old man you let pick me up?" I could have explained it is our governor, but I just said, "Sorry - mommy shouldn't let strangers who are old men pick you up." That seemed easier!:)

The Beach

So it probably isn't news to anyone that knows me well that I love taking pictures. After our 2 week plus vacation to the beach, I came home with literally over hundreds of pictures! Of course they all aren't great, but I figured it was easier to weed through them once I got home. That was a big part of last nights' agenda!!! Anyway, here are a few of my favorite shots.

We had a great time! The first week was the four of us, and the second week, we joined my parents. We saw dolphins (which thrilled Ella), stayed by the beach and pool daily (thanks to a wonderful sun shade tent), and just had a really lazy and relaxing time! Kinsley discovered her new favorite food - sand. I'm not sure which food group that would fall into, but she is definitely a fan. I don't mean that she would get a little in her mouth and not seem to mind it. She would scream and throw a fit to get down on the sand in order to shove handfuls into her mouth repeatedly. Moments when I would look at Ronnie and say, "Your child?"

Ella had a new accomplishment on vacation - learning to swim! On day one, it was a challenge to get her in the pool. Heaven forbid water touch her face! Put a little Meme in the mix and presto! A girl who would jump in from the side, throw her head under the water, and swim without a float while holding her breath to meme's arms. (I think the M&M and Starburst rewards helped a little bit, too!)

We had great weather, but most importantly, a great time just enjoying family.