Lake Time

Needless to say this has been a perfect fall weekend! To cap off an already amazing weekend we spent some time with our favorite folks!

On Saturday we took a trip to Chick Fil A and Target. Since our move this is a big deal and adventure for us! It really is the little things! We also enjoyed dinner at our favorite soda shoppe with Nana and Dubba D too!

Sunday we visited Buffalo Lake! We had a blast riding on the boat, playing and just relaxing! It was. Nice way to spend a fall afternoon!

I hope this weekend is an indication of all the fun we are going to have this season!

Fall is here and I love it!

That is the title of one of my favorite fall books I read to my class each fall! I just pulled it out to read to my first grade buddies yesterday and today is the first day of fall so I think it is an appropriate title!

To celebrate our favorite season of all we have been busy around here! Yesterday we went to a local apple orchard! There festival was last weekend so we didn't have a ton to pick from but we had fun none the less! We used our apples to make homemade apple sauce today! We can't wait to eat it! Ella Ruth keeps walking around the kitchen saying YUMM! She is ready!

We also made pumpkin spice cookies to share with our family tomorrow! We are heading to the lake to enjoy some time outside by the water before it gets too cold!

Football is here too so we are also hoping to cheer on the Heels at some point from home! Fall is the best!

Ice Cream Adventures

Everyone has their "happy place."  Mine is Yankee Stadium.  Preston's is the softball field.  Ella Ruth's is City Park in Burlington.  During my last week of summer vacation we took another "field trip" to my grandfather's happy place, Homeland Creamery in Jullian.  He loves ice cream and this place delivers!

We had a great trip even though Ella Ruth was more interested in the calf than eating ice cream.  My favorite flavor is strawberry!  Ella Ruth helped her Daddy eat a cup of Chocolate.  Papa Poe went back for seconds and even took some home!

It was such a special day with awesome weather!  Homeland Creamery... we will be back!

 Happy girl!  

 Feeding the baby calf!  

 I spy a sweet girl!  

Checking out the turkeys with Mama Poe 

Spin your Partner...

Even though we live in the middle of no where our little community is still know for something pretty big. It is called Shakori Hills. About nine years ago a group of folks started a little music festival. It has turned into quite a big event. In fact over ten thousand people visit each during the four day festival.

Tonight we visited the grounds for their annual Hoppin John Bluegrass Festival. We were not sure what to expect but we had a ball. Ella Ruth was a huge fan of the music. She even participated in a real square dance! When we left she could hardly hold her eyes open but she didn't want to go. I have to admit, I was enjoying the music too so I know how she felt!

I am so excited this little claim to fame is just a mile or two down the road! We will be back for the big event in October!

Big Girl School

This past week was a big one for a special little girl! Ella Ruth went to "school" for the first time. Even though it is only once a week and just a preschool she thinks she is an official big girl.

On her first day she did great! She even slept on her mat! That was something we were really worried about. Her second day went even better! She even earned a smiley face stamp that she was so proud of.

She is having a blast, making some new friends, and loving her teachers Mrs. Jan and Miss Brooke! We are so happy for her too!

Viva Las Vegas

Our last trip of the summer was an exciting one. We headed to Las Vegas with 16 of our closest family! Call us crazy but we were excited to get away for a little adults only fun.

Although we missed Ella Ruth like crazy (mommy may or may not have cried a couple times) we knew she was in good hands having a ball with her Nana and Dubba D. We stayed in touch with lots of text pictures and Skype too!

In Vegas we ate amazing meals, visited tons of beautiful hotels, lost some money in the casinos, and even spent some time by a couple amazing pools. Fun was had by all!