Zoo trip...again

We took another trip to the zoo (I love my season pass) awhile ago before the weather started to get cooler. I know I've said it before, but it really is cool to watch the baby elephants together, which is why we went. Autumn is really into watching the animals, but when I asked her what her favorite part was she said "food". I guess I can't argue with that!

On a side note we went to the Carnegie History Museum today with Aunt Nellie, Grammie, and Papa. Autumn did very well walking around and looking at the exhibits. I hadn't seen the dinosaur exhibit since it was finished. I thought it was definitely worth the trip...so if anyone comes to visit and wants to go...we're in! There was also a "life on mars" temproary exhibit that was interesting to walk around. I enjoyed a portion of art work concerning suburbia...makes you want to advoid sprawling America...

Update

I know it has been what feels like forever and I havn't had a chance to put up some new pictures!! School work has kept me so busy, I can't even begin to explain what the end up the semester is going to feel like. I won't know what to do with myself!! Everyone here is doing well. Autumn is really starting to talk a lot more. Everyday she says something else that cracks me up. I love it!!
This girl has got some personality. Autumn has been having some "terrible two" moments, and I had to call my friend for some "are all the 2 year olds acting crazy today?" Which, they were, go figure. Some weeks I feel like...wow, she is really behaving well, and listening, and this is so much fun. While other days it's like...where did you come from?!! And then she'll come over and say "I better Mommy", which just melts your heart. Oh, the joys of being a parent. Some random pictures...

Another Slide!

Fireworks downtown

This past weekend we went downtown for the largest firework display ever in Pittsburgh. It was awesome!! We rode the trolley into the Point which was an experience for Autumn itself. She says "dots" when you ask her about her train ride and then she says "I sit on dots". (The seat fabric had dots). We went to the concert at the point, mingled, and got chicken on a stick...one of my personal favorite festival foods. One of the nicest perks to this exertion was that Grandma and Grandpa had a hotel room on the 21st floor that overlooked the Point. We headed up the room when Autumn got restless...and hung out watching National Treasure on TV while we waited for the show to begin. It was worth it. There were three different barges that we could see that set off amazing fireworks. Since we were inside the noise didn't bother Autumn as a previous firework display had. She was amazed, and it was so much fun to watch her watching the fireworks. We did catch the finale outside before we high tailed it back to the trolley home. Autumn stayed up the whole ride home...crazy!! What a fun night...

Here's Miles and Autumn on the trolley...
Here we are hanging out in the living room...

Trax Farms

Two weekends ago we went to Tax Farms for their fall festival with our friends. You couldn't beat the weather...and it was nice to get the girls outside for the afternoon. We went on a hayride, the girls climbed on pumpkins, there was a moon walk, a petting zoo, a HUGE slide, and a little train ride for the kids. Not to forget the funnel cake for everyone. It was a nice afternoon and I really enjoyed spending some the time with Miles and Autumn.

Here are Ryann and Autumn on the pumpking patch. I don't recommend adults climbing on the pumpkins as they didn't feel to sturdy. There's a good chance that a foot might find its way through a pumpkin.
Here we are on the hayride. Along the ride they had different animals for the girls to look at including goats, pigs, cows, and ducks...the list goes on. They really enjoyed it, as did the adults. I think even little Nora had watching the scenery...

Here's Autumn on the train ride.
Dad's all smiles with his little girl. I think this is a cute picture of the two of them.
Here's a funny picture of Autumn...

Yard Update

We've been busy with yardwork the past couple of weeks. Here are some pictures to show you our progress...or lack there of. I admit it's been slow going, but in the end it will all be worth it. Miles has been working very hard to pull everything together.

Miles is building a retainging wall off of the back porch to help level off the yard. He wasn't able to watch the delivery of the blocks so I just had to take a picture of thr truck that delivered the stones. It really was amazing to watch. Each of the larger blocks weights 80 pounds to give you an idea of the size of the truck needed to lift the pallets. Autumn enjoyed the entertainment.

The fence is a work is progess...but here is a picture of the design.
Here you can kind of see the end result of the back patio. To the right of the grill along the back of the patio is where Miles has been building the wall. More pictures to come later to show you the final masterpiece!!

Philidelphia Weekend

We took advantage of a the long Labor Day weekend and took a trip down to Philly to visit some college friends. We were able to stay at Meg's place which was an awesome old home near Manyok Street (I may be a bit off on the spelling). I had a fabulous time and was so happy that I was able to spend some time with my old friends. Friday night the girls spent going out on Manyok Street while Miles was awesome and stayed at Meg's with Autumn. Saturday morning we went out to brunch with Miles' old college roommate, and then made our way to a park before a much needed nap time for everyone! We went to Meg's brother's house for a cookout, and then took our time Sunday traveling home. Autumn did awesome on the car ride thanks to nap times and a borrowed DVD movie player. It really did make life much easier.
It was so nice to escape home for a weekend and spend some time with my family and friends. We really did have a nice visit and hope to see Cate and Meg again soon!!

Here's a picture of the girls on Saturday morning before Cate had to leave and go back home.
Here's Miles and Autumn at brunch. In the background you can see a bus out the window. I mention it because the carriage rides with horses would walk up the street and Autumn would climb over Miles to look at them.
Here we are on the Merry-Go-Round at the park after brunch. We're sitting on the bench because Autumn is scared of the movement of the horses. I have no idea why, but she doesn't like any rides where there is an up and down motion. However, being thrown by Miles in the air is a different story...
Play hard...Autumn was very into running around the park. We all enjoyed the fact that she tuckered herself out and we were all able to get a long afternoon nap when we got back to Meg's!