Fall Fun

We have been enjoying a very full and festive fall so far!  We had a lot of weekends here in Rochester in September and October and took full advantage of it by taking the kids on a bunch of outings!  Each one turned out better than the last and it's exciting for us to see our kids enjoying things outside of the house.  Here are some of the things, with accompanying pictures of course, we have been up to!

Chuck E Cheese's:
We hadn't originally planned to go, however, the day we had picked to go to a Fall Festival in a town nearby ended up being a torrential downpour, so we re-routed ourselves down to Chuck E Cheese's and were SO glad we did!  I hadn't been there in awhile (ok, more like since I was 9) and both Evan and I were impressed with how clean, fun, and enjoyable it was!  Both kids absolutely loved it, particularly all the motorized "rides" and all the other kids running around.  We will definitely go back during the winter doldrums...

Although timid at first, Jane went all in with the hug for Chuck.

I know they're not looking at the camera, but I thought this was so cute.  I couldn't compete with the lighted buttons and sirens in this car.

Undoubtedly Jane's favorite "ride" the whole day. She lovers Barney.

Luke really figured out all the ins and outs of this car - and he was only 8 months old here!

Ft. Wayne Children's Zoo:
We have heard so many great things about the FWCZ, that on an unusually warm (near 80!) and sunny day, we decided to finally take the kids to the zoo, after we had talked about doing it all summer!  We could not believe how wonderful this zoo was and how great the kids did!  They have a lot of animals, as well as some rides, a petting zoo, a station for feeding ducks/fish/etc.  We actually stayed there almost 4 hours and I don't think either child complained once.  We are so thankful to have a nice zoo nearby and are eager for it to open back up next Spring!

Jane and I pretending we're "camping" at the zoo.  She was more interested in the popcorn stand than obtaining the perfect picture.

I love this picture of Jane.  Evan let her take her sandals off and splash around in the fountain (this was a permissable activity, not illegal).  I think she just embodies a little girl in this picture.

Still not looking at the camera, but love this picture anyway.

Thistleberry Farm Pumpkin Patch:
This was such a fun outing for us!  We didn't get to do a pumpkin patch last year, and I really wanted to do one this year.  Luckily, we found one (thanks for our friend Ashley F. for the suggestion) that was only about 30 minutes away and it was wonderful!  I don't think they lacked for anything you could possibly want/imagine from a pumpkin patch - they had a huge, homemade slide, large trampoline-esque thingy, tricycle course, 3 different corn mazes, pony rides, hay rides, "cow" rides, pigs, and of course, pumpkins!  It was a beautiful day (slightly chilly) and we had a great time!

Luke was stationary in his stroller a majority of the time, but didn't complain at all

This trike was a bit big for her, physically.  Mentally - she overpowered it again and again.

Jane and I wanted to see just how many different shades of pink we could get in one shot...

"Cow" rides - the kids LOVED these!

Neither kid looking at camera, but still think this is a great one

I included this picture of look for the background - look at all the activities on this HUGE farm!

Jane loved her first pony ride.  She knew exactly where to place her hands and how to sit on the pony.  She even let go to give daddy a little wave!

She liked the bigger pumpkins initially....

...but we did settle on one just her size.  She loved picking out pumpkins for everyone. (How about that Donald Trump hair?!  We just pulled off her hat, I promise...)

Although we don't have any pictures to account for the trip, we did enjoy a jaunt down to Indianapolis to take the kids to the Children's Museum!  I am forever amazed at that place and can't wait to go back again.  Both kids loved being there, particularly the Barbie exhibit (Jane) and the Playscapes area that has things to do for kids of all ages.  Luke loved rolling and playing around in the section designated for his age group, and had a special affinity for pressing a button that made a wall light up.  I think he pressed it nearly 284 times. 

All in all - we have been busy creating memories and enjoying quality time with our kids!