Mount Magazine

 Still enjoying the patio weather and our local BBQ joint...and Syd's comedy!

Second weekend of October, we headed to the much hyped Mount Magazine State Park!  It takes almost 3 hours to get there, so Lily was not happy.  She's a pretty great RV rider though.

We had to roll in at dusk

Up bright and early the next morning though, ready to explore.  This is our first time to this park!

I brought some Halloween pumpkins for the girls to paint.  It's funny to watch them come and go with their projects.  It's a nice downtime alternative to TV.

JKK and I got to read a lot - it was a very relaxing trip!

We started off on a hike, with Syd insisting she ride her bike.

Shortly after this picture, Syd slipped on some gravel and went down hard.  She didn't want to ride the rest of the way...

...JKK to the rescue!  She was okay, just scraped up in spots.

So strange - these sticks bugs were EVERYWHERE.  Like falling from the trees onto us, scaring the bejeezus out of us.  Even though they are harmless.

Oh look!  

JKK and I hiked up to signal hill and went over to check out the lodge.  There are some beautiful views here!  Just not at signal hill.

Ticket to Ride with my little game player!

Mills just doesn't love board games like Syd and I do.  She was happy to paint next to us.

Hobo dinner prep!  We spent most of our time outside this trip - just how I like it.

Evenings and mornings can be a bit chilly though...thankful for our shelter

A new day!  We forced the kiddos to hike with us to signal hill.  Then we took them to the lodge for breakfast - made them earn it. ;)

A great view from the lodge!

Fun with the panorama photo options: 2 Millies!

Ta-da!  Halloween art projects done!

One of my better ideas: to head to the lookout for sunset!  We took some drinks and snacks and had a good time hanging out for a bit!

Look, four children ;)

It was lovely!

Hocus Pocus movie night on the back porch is kinda awesome.  When the kids go to bed, JKK and I have been working through some of the classic older movies.  This trip we watched Top Gun...still good!

Oh dear.  Gotta have a vandalism talk with Syd.  

And maybe also don't sign your "work"

We love camping!

Happy Fall, Y'all

This year, instead of the boring old pumpkin patch, we decided to visit someplace that had more fun activities for the kids.  We found the Exeter Corn Maze and it delivered!  Unrelated: Syd's teacher is very into Harry Potter, so we found the purrrfect Fall shirt for Syd!

Millie chose to take Leah along and Syd chose to bring Syd H!  I chose to bring Nana.  We also met Cayden and Beckham there!

First up was the pumpkin trampoline where the kids dominated until they realized this was the toddler section.  The big kids pumpkin jump was a bit more aggressive!

Everybody loves the corn.  It gets....everywhere.

Oink.  The pig races are always thrilling.

Breaking more rules...the kids picked up ALL the bunnies and THEN saw the sign asking you not to pick them up ;) whoops.

This is tough for Millie to have two friends there...

Syd really gets into the pics these days...makes me so happy!

Nana even got in on the action!  She's very patient with my chaotic mind on these outings.  It's always overwhelming to bring a bunch of kids anywhere, but to a place like this where there are so many things to do...they just scatter immediately and it's hard to keep track of all of them!

There was a LOT to do here.  I have a feeling we will be back!

Wow, this haunted house was a terrible idea for the younger kids.  Never listen to Millie (she said it wasn't scary).  I barely got the two Syds out of this house without having to carry them.  There was crying and shaking - never again!  But the big kids loved it!