Birthdays and Fall Fun!

October 2 was my big brother's and my little sister's birthday! Michelle was born on Kevin's 7th birthday. We got to enjoy celebrating their birthday with family this weekend and enjoy some fun fall activities as well.

Me with the birthday girl and birthday boy.

Alexis couldn't wait until Halloween to show off her costume...

Austin checking out the sweets.Chocolate cake for Kevin

And pumpkin pie for Michelle.On adorable "Happy Birthday" plates...

Austin was very excited that he got to help Auntie Michelle blow out her birthday candles.

Whoa! I got lots of cake!

No, your cake is over there.

A fun time was had by all. The beginning of the party was full of anxiety provoking Notre Dame football. The outcome was good, but delayed supper a bit because of overtime. We were all very excited about the win (even Keng got into it, even though she's not familiar with American football). I think the Irish need to stop making the games close enough to be so exciting!

Steve and Brian excited about the Irish win and showing off their "man hug"

Austin was so wound up from the party that he didn't settle down and go to sleep until 11:30pm. We figured we were in for quite a treat the next day when he still woke up around 8am.

On Sunday, despite a cranky toddler making us question our plans, we went to Aamodt's Apple Orchard for some fall fun! Nanny, Auntie Michelle, Uncle Brian, Austin, Daddy and Mommy all went together. Austin actually did great the whole time we were there and had lots of fun, with no melt downs or tantrums. What a trooper!

The adorable couple enjoying some hot apple cider."Hi Mommy!"

Driving the tractor...

Hayride through the orchard

Strolling through the vineyardClimbing the apple tree with Mommy and Daddy.
(Yes, Mommy definitely has a belly now!)

Hanging out with Auntie MichelleNavigating the hay bale maze

Feeding the animals bits of corn.
There were goats, sheep, ponies, etc., but this little goat was the friendliest.

We had lots of fun and enjoyed the fall festivities, despite the cloudy, intermittently rainy weather. We got to have caramel apples, kettle corn, and apple oatmeal cookies, then return home for apple pie. Mmmmmm, feels like fall now!

We also continued to work on potty training while at Nanny and Grandpa's house and I think he's starting to get the hang of going "peepee in the potty." He's even starting to stay dry for a few hours in between. In fact, after the whole morning at the apple orchard, he kept his pull up was dry and when we got home, he went in the potty! We're making progress! Woohoo!

Potty time with Nanny

That's all for now. We were going to try to visit the pumpkin patch this past weekend before heading up to the Twin Cities, but it was closed due to bad weather. We're hoping the weather will be much better this Saturday, so we can go enjoy the activities and pumpkins at Tweite's Pumpkin Patch. We had lots of fun last year and now that Austin is another year older, I bet he'll enjoy it even more!

Baby continues to kick and grow. We've got another level 2 ultrasound on Wednesday to check out what's going on with the cyst in her pelvis, so stay tuned for an update.