Birthday/Hike/Halloween Sandwich

October came with Owen's second birthday.

He was all into opening presents until the cars came out and then we could not convince him to give another wrapped gift a second glance.

Until this was put under his nose.

He loved his monkey cake even though these pictures may seem otherwise.

Seriously, this kid will. Not. Smile. For. The. Camera.

Or even look it's way. What he doesn't realize is that he is the third child so already there are fewer pictures being taken of him. His refusal to cooperate isn't helping. And you know who is going to be blamed when he is older…me.

Finally! This is the best shot I could get. And it is the only one. 

Mid-October was our little staycation during fall break. We visited the Louisville Slugger Museum. We toured the bat-making facility. It was very interesting. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it given I am not really a baseball fan. Maybe there is a reason it is "America's favorite pastime".

We also hiked to Natural Bridge. And that is what it is--a naturally formed rock bridge. There is no way to do it justice in a picture. So you will just have to come to Kentucky to see it. This is at the base:

 

And here are Randal and the kids hiking through a break in the rock to the top…where there are no protective railings…and where my children did not seem to recognize the dangers of getting so close to the edge…I guess it really wasn't that close…I was just having flashbacks to the time I proved my bravery at the Grand Canyon as a kid…when really I was a big chicken inside…and still am.

We had a great time. We need to hike more often.

The month ended with Halloween. Owen looks like we're torturing him with the pumpkin, but he was really just being silly. 

The weather turned very cold and stormy on Halloween. The kids braved it anyway and came home with gobs of candy from our sympathetic neighbors. 

Ethan wanted to be a bandit so that he would have an excuse to carry a bigger candy bag. Addie was a fortune teller. We had fun designing her costume and picking out the fabric together. And Owen stole the show by reprising Addie's old skunk costume. 

Now October is over, the weather is turning and the year is coming to an end. Time is flying by. Thank goodness for pictures (and for blogs) to help make sure I remember these three as they are right now because it doesn't last long, does it?

Skipping School

I may be slow to blog about it, but school does go on in Kentucky.

Addie is in the 3rd grade.

Ethan--the 6th, which means he is a mighty middle schooler.

And with great power comes great responsibilty so he has been designated Owen's chief transportation officer. 

We did play hookie and joined the Bangerters in North Carolina for some special education of its own kind.

And for some amazing views.

Giving us the opportunity to take some unique pictures. (Staircase inside the lighthouse.)

Owen did put in some time driving truck, however.

But it was obvious when he was ready to clock out...

And walk off into the sunset.

Ethan and his cousins labored too, but learned there is no structure that can match the strength of the tide.

We had a super time at the beach.

And felt inspired by the tenacity of the Wright Brothers when we visited Kitty Hawk…

to hang out with Wilbur (or Orville?).

We hiked the same hill these men hauled their airplane up over 1000 times during the course of a summer until they successfully flew.

There we soaked in the view...

then coasted on the backs of others down the other side.

Our education continued in Virginia at the early settlement of Jamestown. 

Where the kids helped with...

this:

On the way home we stopped at Hillbilly Hotdogs. Guy Fieri recommended it on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. He was not wrong. 

We did eat in a tub because…well, because it's Kentucky. (Actually, West Virginia...same difference.)

With our vacation over it was back to work adding some pizzaz to a boring, little bathroom. "After" pictures coming soon.

Cousins

We've been enjoying our nephew/cousin's company. Christian is visiting from VA. 

This kid thinks he's as big as the boys:

Ethan waited for his cousin to come to celebrate his birthday with a friend party.

We've had a fun week.

15 Years, Baby!

Randal and I went to Cancun, Mexico for our 15th anniversary.

We had an amazing time.

The view from our room:

We ate chicken mole here:

It was so delicious. 

At the Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico:

Where we met this guy (along with his entire family):

And where we cooled off at a beautiful beach:

We ran into these guys:

And him. He blessed out tour group. We think. He was speaking Mayan, so for all we know he was giving us directions to the nearest souvenir shop.

Weaving a hammok. (I wish I'd brought one home.) 

At the Mayan observatory. Evidence in this building alone shows the extent of the Mayan's knowledge of the stars and the earth. It was fascinating. And hot.

Something cool:

Ta-dah! One of the 7 new wonders of the world:

It was amazing, even at a distance like it is here near the burial ground. See all the heads engraved in the stones of the wall. Creepy. 

Here we are being stupid:

And here:

15 years. It really doesn't feel like it should be that long. Sometimes I still think we are just playing house and that we really are still just kids. But maybe the saying is right and feeling like time has flown is because of all the fun we have had. And we have had some fun. We have three awesome children, we have picked up and moved to new places, and we have seen a bit of the world too. But mostly we have spent our time doing all the mundane, everyday things that build a solid foundation to one incredible life together.  I love you, Randal!