One Apple Up On Top.

Summer is definitely a seasonal favorite, but leaving summer behind for the fall months ahead does not leave us feeling empty. Having football in full swing, the leaves beginning to change colors, thinking about all things apple and pumpkin, pots of chili and walks where the cool air will keep our littles cozy under blankets gives us plenty to look forward to...

I love Saturday mornings when we have the weekend ahead of us...time together. This past Saturday we decided to pack a small cooler and drive south to an apple orchard where we could picnic and pick your own apples. It was a wonderful way to spend time together.

As with nearly every hands-on activity we have ever introduced to Bennett, this little guy fully embraced apple picking and eating. He picked. And ate. And picked. And ate. And picked. And ate (and when we let him pick a tiny pumpkin, he tried eating it, too). I am quite certain that although he displayed no symptoms, his little tummy had to be turning after all the apples he ate on Saturday.

We continued on to Bloomington to visit our beloved IU campus. Zach and I are never disappointed with a visit to IU. Its like the campus knows just how to welcome you back and while we notice subtle changes as we walk about, it still speaks so much the same. We walked through the garden area just by Sample Gates and once again, Bennett confidently embraced the adventure calling for squirrels and picking up walking sticks.

We went to Nick's with our little guy!! How fun is that? We had such a great time looking at Bennett and laughing...thinking he is at Nick's and he isn't even two years old. The littles are only allowed downstairs and only until a reasonable hour in the evening. We had one of those great dinners where Bennett was content sitting, eating and talking with the sweet waitstaff who kept coming back to our table to visit with Bennett. Great way to end a fall day.

Lions and Tigers and Bears...

...and Cheetahs and Elephants. OH MY!

Zach and I (and Bennett - he loves to "clean" outside with a broom) continued our unpacking, sorting, trimming and cleaning throughout our long weekend, but found time to enjoy our new home and the fantastic weather over Labor Day weekend. Saturday we packed our dinner and headed to the Zoo. It was beautiful outside and the crowd was diminishing just as we started through the aquatics section. The Cheetah exhibit was impressive. They kept passing back and forth and Bennett would chase them on the safe side of the glass, repeatedly asking to "touch it, touch it."

"Elephant...Stomp. Stomp." It was so much fun talking with Bennett about the different animals. He likes to say their names or make the appropriate sounds (when prompted) and I am certain we told each animal "Bye, bye. Good to see you..." His new favorite prase.

Elk? Deer? Moose? Not completely sure what species this is, but Bennett was pretty sure it was a "doggie".

Our shaggy, blonde california-looking baby. Can't belive how big he already is and we have not even reached his second birthday.

Last day at the pool and we ended it with a splash...actually many of them. Warmed up to a perfect toasty temperature on Monday afternoon for a final swim in the pool. Bennett's end of summer accomplishment was walking across the shallow section of the pool (on his tip, tip, tippy toes) without any help. He was so proud. It was so cute. The timing is good, I think, because then he wanted to try and conquer all sections of the pool without any help - refusing any assistance. Already makes me excited for the fun he will have next summer.

A Box and Breakfast Part Deux

Please excuse the lack of blog posts of late. We have been attempting to finish renovations, move and unpack over the course of the last week. Playing off the last post we have entitled this one "A Box and Breakfast Part Deux." We are now in the house trying to wrap up a few things and living out of boxes. As you can see in the picture where boxes are surrounding our breakfast bar and stools.