the most wonderful time of the year

I love halloween. And with a four year old, it's a gazillion times even better, if that's possible. On the big day, I think Finn's level of joy may have matched mine on my wedding day. He was dancing, oohing and ahhing over costumes, setting up apple bobbing, arranging the giveaway candy...I mean, I could go on, but I'll just post the photos to show. Leading up to the end of October, we had plenty of opportunities to celebrate fall and make halloween preparations. I'll give you those pictures too. Happy fall!

Trying his hand at the cider press

Crisp fall day, with an apple in hand at the local orchard. ahhh!

the two cutest pumpkins in the patch!

This. Sweet. Friendship.

What is cuter than Emma and Finn? Emma, Finn, and a duckling. 

Hayride!

The experts practicing their dress up skills for the big day

Roar!

Pumpkin bowling at zoo boo.

Finn road along with me as I ran my favorite 5k of the year at McCormick Creek State Park

He made sure to get out of the stroller at the end to ring the bell. 

Hoosier Hysteria. A fall tradition.

And now the serious halloween preparations begin

Trick or treating at the Greek Houses is the best

Especially when the paw patrol joins 

Silly Halloween antics

party preparations

These bobbers were adorable (and successful!)

Finn earns full credit for choosing both our costumes. 

Happy Halloween from our ocean to yours!

Superman/batman, a panther, and a scuba diver. 

At the start of the night...so many houses, so little time 

and on an unseasonably warm Nov 1, we hiked!

This kid...

Back to Pre-K

Finn has been in the swing of school for over a month now, but you wouldn't know it by all the new and exciting activities that he experiences each day he goes into his classroom. He's making new friends and relishes seeing old familiar faces. This is Finn's last year of preschool, so I'm taking full advantage of the days Finn isn't in school and our free afternoons, knowing that next year we won't have this much freedom. Below are some obligatory (and adorable) first day photos and some others to show Finn's activities through September.
Happy Fall!!

First day of school!

These two.

these hugs!

"Next year this is where I will ride the bus! It will pick me up right here."

Field trip! This is baby Avery.

All the cuteness

Ah, I can't even...

Climbing the maple tree encourages the sap flow?

Fall project: Finn's Nature Center. More details to come.

Finn spent days building and painting this volcano. The culmination was the explosion witnessed with his friend, Emma. Such excitement!!

When life gives you lemons

On a VERY hot Thursday, Finn decided he wanted to make a lemonade stand. We went to the store for lemonade and poster board, brought up his table and chair from the basement, and set up shop in front of our house. I brought out the Nancy Drew book we've been reading to keep us occupied. We didn't open the book once. Finn waved to every car that passed, and SO many stopped for a drink. We ran out of lemonade mix in a hour. It was a blast.
Finn plans to donate part of the profits (and generous tips) to a good cause, the fire department "so they can buy new axes and fire extinguishers." The rest goes into savings for legos and other essentials. Summer is fun, but even more fun with this kid.

Stuck a feather in his cap

We celebrated the fourth of July and the week following in Montana. The trip was delightful, and we left relaxed and happy. Highlights include 1.) a HUGE crop of huckleberries all around the lake. Finn ate his share while hiking, and the rest of us brought them home to sprinkle on oatmeal, turn into a crisp, and to add to my birthday cake (lucky me).  2.) Nonnie taught Finn to fish, and the kid showed a level of patience that I didn't think was possible in a four and a half year old. The persistence paid off when Finn caught a good size brook trout that he brought home for an appetizer. 3.) The weather was unseasonably rainy and cold, but that meant more camp fires and cozy afternoons reading and doing puzzles. LOVELY. 4.) the cool temps meant more pleasant runs and hikes, something you don't get in July at home. 5.) A trip the bison range! Finn loved using the binoculars and looking out the sunroof for critters he's only seen in books. Finn loves animals, but this visit inspired him to learn even more. He now studies footprints and scat to identify animals. Mostly endearing, but also a little more than I want to know. No matter. I'm in. 6.) As always, the best meals,  beautiful views, and wonderful company. I love this place.

His best friend from the 4th of July celebrations. I mean, he's a large mammal, a firefighter, and he gives out candy.

The best little hiker EVER. 

Our crew!

This rookie caught a brookie! (poetry credited to Barbara Burns)

On safari.

I mean COME ON. This was a typical view out the car window this day. No filter.

BISON!

Canoe rides were pretty much a daily activity. In any weather.

Finn was a natural!

Hiking to Holland Falls

Nonnie and Papaw watched Finn so Clark and I could go out for dinner. After the most heavenly meal,
we took our coffee mugs out to sit in these chairs. It was just as peaceful as it looks. 

Finn chose the bucking bronco for this ride. He LOVES Montana!