Sky Top Orchard

Today we took the boys to Sky Top to go apple picking! This was our first time and we had a blast! Once we pulled in we knew it would be a long day b/c everyone was there. It was perfect weather and not a cloud in the sky! Once we figured out what we were doing and where to go, we headed for the orchard. B was serious about picking the apples. Before he picked them he would ask to make sure they were just right ha! We let C pick one too, but he only cared about eating them. We spend the majority of the time picking the apples. We got Jonathon, Gala, Fuji, Cameo, Pink Lady, and Granny Smiths. We ate some along the way too ;) After a quick potty break in the woods for B (ha!), we trucked ALL the way from the end of the orchard, up the hills, and back to the barn. We bought the apples and some local honey, then let the boys play in the pumpkins. B was climbing all over them and C tried to copy B. After that, we went to see the barn animals. B fed all the chickens, roosters, peacocks, and turkey. We pet the goats then headed through the bamboo forest. It was really cool in there! We also made a stop at the sheep, and I'm SO glad we did. B ran up and started petting one of them which surprised me b/c he's usually scared. We got C out of his stroller and let him pet the sheep too. We gave the boys some food to feed them, but B was afraid of their tongues, so Bri and I fed them most of it. We gave C a handful to see what he would do, and he stuck his hand out and let the sheep lick it all up! After a good hand scrubbing we headed back to the car, but before we made it, B wanted to sit on the tractor. We had a great time and can't wait to go back next year. We're definitely making it a tradition!

Mmm thats good!

LOVE this one!

So after we got home, I decided to make an apple pie with some of the apples (since we have like 50!). It was my first one and I think it turned out pretty good. All the taste testers said it was delicious, especially B!

Our 1/2 bushel of apples!

A Day Out With Thomas

On Saturday Brian, B, and I headed to Spencer, NC to meet Thomas. B has been looking forward to this day for a VERY long time. We wanted this day to be really special and it was the first time that we have done anything just us 3 since C was born! After we arrived and picked up our tickets, we let B play for a while before our scheduled train ride. There was a bounce house, corn maze, museum, and several model train stations set up. He got to see the "real" Tidmouth Sheds where Thomas lives and see a turning table. He was in heaven! Then we went to see Thomas before our ride. He talked to him and waved, but wasn't sure why Thomas didn't talk. I had to tell him he was resting before he pulls us along! After we hopped aboard the (super hot) train, B was handed a Jr. Engineer certificate from the conductor, signed by Sir Topham Hatt himself lol! He loved his ride and waved to everyone we passed. The train only went about 10 miles an hour in a large circle, but he didn't notice! We're so happy we got to make one of B's dreams come true!

He was talking to Thomas

Such a cheesy smile...never seen this one before but he was extra excited!

Giving Sir Topham Hatt a hug!

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His very 1st train ride

Waving to everyone

He was out on the ride home!

13 Months

This last month seemed to go by in half the time as normal. I guess because we've been so busy! And it's been so much fun! C had his first birthday and party and started school! He also went on his first outing with my in-laws. They decided 2 Saturdays ago that they would take BOTH boys with them to run errands, etc. That left Brian and I with nothing to do but spend time together. It. Was. Awesome! We didn't know what to do! At first I thought about all of the errands I needed to run and cleaning that needed to be done...but then I decided, forget it all, I'm chillin at home! So Bri and I stayed home and watched football all day! The best way to spend any day :) We also left C with the in-laws last Saturday b/c Bri and I took B to meet Thomas the Train! That's another post all in itself!

Here's what C's been doing this month:

• WALKING! He started taking steps at about 10.5 months. Then it started to be about half crawling/half walking. Then about 5 days ago he decided, I'm ready, and gave up the crawling. I'm LOVING this stage. He's been trying to run with B and has picked up speed just in the last 2 days!

• Eating like a little piggy (that's B's nick name for C ha!) That kid eats so much I have no clue where it all goes. He will eat anything put in front of him! I'm loving this too :

• Not really picked up any new words, but they're getting clearer. He can recognize and tries to mimic the signs for "more" and "all done", so that's been cool. He also says "more" (which sounds like "boar") when he needs more of something. 

• The kid loves his Dada! When Bri comes home, he walks as fast as he can toward him while saying Dada. It's super cute. 

• He's still taking 2 naps, but some days he only takes 1. He needs both, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way.

• He loves playing with his ABC Train, ball popper, trucks and balls. He's also a climber and can climb up on most anything!

The first 4 pictures are from his 1year shoot.