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!

Back to School...

School has started both for me and the Mt. Lebanon kids, however the official end of summer is still a couple of weeks away. This is going to be a busy semester for me with two different clinicals, definitely a full time schedule. What did I get myself into?! Hopefully it will all pay off in the end.

While John, Amois, and Paloma were in we were able to relax and visit a bit before they left for home. On Thursday we went to the Zoo and saw both of the baby elephants. Paloma was all about the animals, very cute. The weekend lended themselves to chill days with babies and Uncle John feeling a bit under the weather. However it was very nice to enjoy the company and take in some much needed relaxation after a busy Friday night.

Here's Autumn during her first finger painting experience. I think she liked it!!
Proud Daddy and Audi. They're both making their cheese faces.
Super cute Paloma. The girls got along fairly well. Audi thought she would be able to take Paloma's toys away from her...but Paloma used some unconventional methods to hold her ground. However, there were times of genuine love for each other as they figured out cousins rock!!
This picture is funny. I was cleaning up the house when Miles kept shouting, "Katie, get the camera!" Over and over again. So when I rounded the corner Autumn was completely vegging out on Miles watching "The Potty Movie" in a complete trance. Now it may not seem like much, but this was a huge deal because Audi rarely sits still. So yes, I got there in time to take a picture.
This is a picture of one of the baby elephants. The other one was sleeping in another room so it was hard to get a good shot. They are super cute to watch...

Happy 30th Aniversay Grammie and Papa

On Friday we pulled off a Surprise 3oth Wedding Anniversary for my Mom and Dad. I have to admit it was fun that they were both surprised by the whole thing, I thought for sure they'd figure it out. We rented a pavilion at South Park which worked beautifully (there was a park right there for the kids!) It was really cool that so many of their friends and family were able to make it in, and were so excited to celebrate with them. John, Amois, and Paloma flew in for a long weekend so we were able to soak up the baby for a couple of days! Below are pictures from the party...
JW made the trip in from Florida for the party and to visit with relatives. We're so glad you were able to meet Autumn and Paloma! I'm already trying to figure out how I can fly down there over the winter for some sun!

When my Dad walked in he looked around and said, "Wow, Surprise". Then he saw his good friend John who flew in from Florida and said, "Big Surprise"...priceless....