Halloween 2013

Coop was a policeman for Halloween this year.  As usual, we enjoyed several fun festivities leading up to Halloween, including his preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch (Aunt Sharon came with us!), pumpkin carving, and a neighborhood Halloween party. Three of the 4 grandparents (Grandpa had to work) were here on Halloween night. After a minor hiccup of refusing to put on his costume, Cooper got into the spirit and was literally running up to houses to get candy. I'd say he thoroughly enjoyed himself.

 

Annual mountain trip

This is the second year we've taken Cooper on our annual mountain weekend getaway, a tradition Jason and I started when we got married.  While taking Cooper with us makes it a NOT relaxing experience, it is fun to bring him along and expose him to something totally different from the normal routine.  We had an awesome place this year called High Lonesome Cabin. Despite fearing for our lives getting up the ridiculously steep driveway, it was a great cabin. Cozy and simple, but had everything we needed.

We tried to strike a balance between down time at the cabin and exploring the beautiful area. Highlights were making s'mores, dancing to bluegrass music on the porch, playing games, going to a local apple festival, taking a hayride to the pumpkin patch, apple-picking, checking out the farmer's market, and walking to the swing bridge near our cabin.

Meeting Baby Andrew

We took a trip to Delaware in October to meet our new nephew, Andrew. It was also our first time up there to see Carrie and Joe's stomping grounds. Andrew is precious and we loved getting baby snuggles. Cooper was very sweet with him and just got a little concerned when he would start crying.

Saturday we had a delicious pancake breakfast (thanks, Joe!) and visited a nearby playground/park. We stumbled on a local festival, where Aunt Carrie got Cooper a very cool helicopter balloon hat. We got to be part of Andrew's first restaurant experience Saturday night at a yummy Mexican restaurant, and on Sunday we had amazing Amish donuts from the local market and went to another playground.

Carrie and Joe, thanks for hosting us and letting us take over your home for a couple of days! Such a fun visit!