Halloween Weekends at Holiday World

Holiday World with Leslie and Olivia for Halloween weekends has become a tradition over the past three years. This year, we went in September. We usually go in October, but this is what worked for both of our schedules. 
It was a hot day which made it kind of hard to imagine it was fall. I felt like we should still be going to the water park. I had just found out I was pregnant, and I was TIRED. I probably drove Leslie nuts, but I couldn't hang as well as I usually do. There was lots of sitting. :) 
The girls had a great time together. They are a good mix. Ella is quiet, and Olivia is not. By the afternoon Ella had warmed up to her, and they were good to go. 

 Olivia reminds me SO MUCH of Leslie when she was younger. She is talkative, lively, and there is never a dull moment when she is around. She is just like the Leslie I remember back in the day!

 The Halloween show is the best part of Halloween weekends. We look forward to it every year. 

We ended the day with the corn maze and ice cream. 

Brown County Camping

A couple of weeks ago the girls were out of school on a Friday so we planned to go camping. When we came up with the idea it sounded like a great plan for that weekend! We could enjoy some fresh air and family time. Sounds great, right!?
 Friday finally comes, and it is pouring down rain from the time we woke up until the time we went to bed! It poured the entire way to Brown County and to top it off it was COLD. That didn't kill our enthusiasm. We pushed on. We set up our tents and the campsite in the rain. We built a fire in the rain. We roasted hot dogs in the rain.  Did I mention it was raining? 

We all headed in our tents around 6:30/7 that night, because it was cold and rainy. We seriously FROZE that night. I don't think I have ever been that cold. Around 5am Adam, Ella, and I got in the car and turned on the heat. I don't know if anyone really slept.
We ended up getting a space heater and two electric blankets, because we could not handle the cold another night. It helped tremendously. I'm guessing we had the toastiest tent at the whole campground. 

Later in the afternoon, the girls went for a pony ride. I think it was the highlight of the trip for Ella. 

 Ella's pony was very friendly. 

Everyone was thrilled when I pulled out my tripod that night so I could get a picture of us around the campfire. :)

The next morning we were up bright and early. We all packed up and headed out of there around 8am. Even though it was cold, I'm thankful to have these times with my family. This camping trip will definitely never be forgotten!

Field Trip and Franklin Street

This past Friday Ella had her first field trip with her class to Cates Farm. It was her first all day field trip, and she was so excited. My mom and I joined her class for the day. 
They played in the play area, had story time, took a wagon ride, ate lunch, picked a pumpkin, decorated their pumpkin, and ended their day back in the play area. I think Ella's favorite part of the field trip was coming home early with me. Ha! 

Saturday afternoon, we went trick or treating on Franklin Street with Autumn, Penny, and my mom. There were all kinds of activities beforehand that were free. It was a fun (but HOT) day. 

Ella insisted on being the blue power ranger this year. 

She is so good at hula hooping. She definitely has some moves!

My niece as a pink witch! I love her wig!

 Ella lasted in her costume for about ten minutes. We can not win with the weather. Luckily, she had shorts and a t-shirt on underneath. 

I love our fall activities, but I say bring on the holidays!!

Evansville Half Marathon 2014

A few weeks ago Sarah and I ran the half. This year was a little different for both of us. She was 11 weeks postpartum, and I was two months pregnant. We decided we would do it and just walk if we needed to. 
It ended up being a great run. We only walked through water stops, and we both felt great. It was one of my favorite runs with her. I will miss running with Sarah over the next six months, but I know she will be a great motivation to me to get back to running after I pop this baby out. We have been running together for four years, and I can't imagine stopping now!

"Sole Sisters"

Ella is one of my biggest fans. I pick her up close to the finish line, and she runs to the finish with me. I hope she is a runner someday!