apple farm.

So, I'm about three weeks behind in posting pictures. And, for once, I have a ton of pictures that are postable. These last three weeks have been crazy. Crazy hectic. And crazy fun. Three weeks ago we headed up to Ellijay for the apple festival with my parents, cousins and their kids, and my aunt and uncle. Two weeks ago we went to the beach for a wedding. And last night we had our Halloween party. Trick-or-treating tonight, then two birthday parties tomorrow. Phew. I'm getting tired just typing about it. But I'm not complaining. I love staying busy. So, I'm going to attempt to get all of these pictures posted, maybe in chronological order, or maybe in the random order in which I feel necessary. Either way, get ready for picture overload. Because I'm feeling behind. And I'm feeling guilty. And I'm feeling you need to see some pictures.

In Ellijay, we took all of the kiddos to BJ Reece's Apple Farm. We went there last year, too. The farm has a ton of kid friendly activities and also has some pretty incredible mountain views amidst the orchards. We chose the coldest day of the year to head to the farm, but the kids stayed active enough to keep warm.

Something was keeping P entertained....


Wow. He is so mesmerized. What could possibly be so fascinating, P?


Oh. Something loud. Something shiny. Some kind of gun that shoots its ammunition hundreds of yards. I get it now. That apple cannon is pretty cool, huh? He is all boy.


And here is the ammunition. Unripe, immature, miniature apples. What else do you do with a bunch of sour apples? They have a purpose in this life, too. To be shot from a cannon by a bunch of overeager boys.


We also picked apples, despite my husband voicing that this was a bad idea. I guess I must admit that he was right, for one of many reasons. First, there were few apples left on the trees due to an early harvest this year. Why the farm employee failed to tell us this is beyond me. I guess they still have to make money. But to send us up into the orchards with a bushel-sized basket knowing good and darn well that we would come back empty-handed? That's just wrong. And, of course, there was a sign behind the cash register that said "no refunds". Also, P wanted nothing to do with apple picking. He was cold and cranky. And apple-picking was not half as thrilling as shooting an apple from a cannon. And those apples that I just had to have? Well, they are currently rotting in our fridge. So, I'll admit it. My husband was right. Yeah, I said it.

The farm also had a great petting zoo. Out of all of the cute animals at the petting zoo, for some reason, P was intrigued by the goats. Goats, of all animals. Yuck. I strongly dislike goats. But they are P's favorite. So, I guess they deserve a picture.


He petted the bunnies. Then hopped like the bunnies.


And he stayed clear of the rooster. Can you pet a rooster? I've never seen it done.


And here's my favorite picture of my two boys. Taylor was warming P's hands throughout the morning, since he refused to wear gloves. They're such good boys. And I love them so much.


We had a blast despite the FREEZING temperatures. Stay tuned for more Ellijay pictures. Happy Halloween, everyone!

nineteen months.

Oh, I love this age. He is non-stop fun. He wakes up talking. Goes to sleep talking. He loves to jump and run. He's busy. And he keeps us busy. He's sweet. He's funny. He repeats every word we say. He blows great kisses and gives strong hugs. He's so grown up, yet very much still my baby. We are loving every minute of watching him grow, change, and evolve into the person he will become. I don't want to miss a thing.

carousel.

P absolutely loved the carousel at the fair. Maybe because it was the most thrilling ride of the few that he was big enough for. Or maybe because it goes around and around. (Which is, by the way, his favorite phrase as of lately. He uses this phrase often. To describe the oatmeal cooking in the microwave. The wheels on the bus. Himself spinning in circles until he dizzily falls down laughing hysterically. Or to describe the carousel.) Or maybe P loved the carousel because we rode it with him. As a family. And we rode it six times.


When we saw this booth, we just had to stop. What is better than getting a bag of cotton candy with your daddy's name on it?



My P is not much of a food adventurist, so cotton candy was really not his thing. I think the texture may have frightened him a little. And maybe the fact that it turned his fingers and everything else bright blue.

And for the record, Taylor hates fairs. Well, actually, he despises them. Everything about them. He thinks they are dirty. He dislikes the "carnies" that run them. He believes that they are a huge rip-off. And, he is deathly afraid of heights. Yet, he must love me very much because he took us to the fair. And didn't complain even once. He had a good time. And he bit his tongue, even when he noticed the ferris wheel car in which we rode had duct tape holding some part or another together. And the ferris wheel operator had marijuana stickers on his boom box. Nope. Taylor didn't say a single word. He just held on for dear life and smiled a fake smile. He must really, really love us. Thanks, Taylor. The rain held out just long enough for us to get in some good quality family fair time. Let's just wait and see if Taylor takes us back next year.

reveal.

We just got unpacked from our fabulous, freezing, family frolic in the North Georgia mountains. I am way too exhausted to download the pictures from my camera. But I promised to tell you where we went last week for our day of family fun.


These pictures from last week were taken on the ferris wheel at the State Fair in Perry. Once I decompress from our weekend, I'll post more pics from the fair and some from our Ellijay trip. Have a great week everyone!

faces.

I captured several of P's expressions today.





"What in the world was keeping P so entertained?", you may ask. Stay tuned for the reveal and more pictures from our super fun family day. We're off to the mountains for a weekend full of family, fun, and Fuji apples.

we be little.

Just one of the hundreds of varieties of pumpkins at the State Farmer's Market today. My mom went with us to help me pick out a trunk load of pumpkins for my Fall decorating. Thank goodness I had a helper. There were way too many pumpkins to choose from.


We Be Little. Their name doesn't lie. These junior-sized jack o'lanterns quickly became my favorites. We left with a twenty pound box of 'em.


You name it, we found it.

White pumpkins and pie pumpkins.


Gourds galore.


And we brought home some warty ones.


Even with a helper, the decisions were still overwhelming.....I think we just picked some of each.


And don't forget the corn stalks.


After all of this rain passes through and I get all of the pumpkins unloaded, I'll post more. And I promise to post more of P and the pumpkins. He just wasn't feelin' the camera today. Cutting molars makes for a miserable little boy. Bless his heart. Happy Fall!

baptism.

My cousin Amy's baby was baptized on Saturday. We had a great time watching the ceremony from the "cry room" in the back of the church and then, afterwards, we noshed on some yummy Italian food with our extended family. I just love family days. Their church is exquisitely landscaped, complete with a cobblestone bridge, a koi pond stocked with goldfish, and a waterfall. It provided the perfect entertainment for my busy eighteen month old while the others snapped pictures of the baptized baby and his family.


I practically had to restrain P while my sister snapped this shot of us. But it's definitely postable, since it's one of maybe three pictures in existence of me and my little man.


The cousins: my sister Jennifer, me, cousins Rachel and Amy. Our moms are twins. Can't you tell we're related? I've always thought we could all pass as sisters. I love these girls!


I got a couple of cute pictures of P while he caught his breath on the bridge. Doesn't he look so handsome and grown up?



Granny and P checking out the goldfish. "Fish" is a favorite word in P's rapidly expanding vocabulary. It comes out more like "sssh". Close enough, buddy.


Taylor and I also attended my friend Jami's wedding. She looked stunning and was beaming with joy the entire evening. I am a sucker for sappy love stories.

Here's me and the pharmacy school gang. It was great to catch up with these girls!


I just love weddings. That's a good thing because we are headed to Florida for another wedding in a couple of weeks. Can't wait! Have a great week everyone!

family pictures.

We finally had our family picture session. I've been procrastinating. Many of you know that I am much more comfortable behind the camera. I could not have asked for better shots of my family. Jenn is such an incredible photographer! (And a sweet friend.) I can't wait to get these hanging on my walls! Thanks, Jenn!

where in the world?

My mom and dad are somewhere in New England. Somewhere in New Hampshire, maybe? Somewhere with no cell phone service. Somewhere incredibly gorgeous and serene. And cold. The pictures speak a thousand words. I just know they are having a fabulous time, despite lack of communication. They have each other. And the beautiful scenery. I am out of pictures of P for the moment and I received some unedited pictures from my dad from their trip. I'm bored. And I couldn't help myself. So, I edited. These are mid-trip, somewhere in New Hampshire, somewhere I wish I was at the present moment. My dad is an incredible photographer. A Canon photographer. (I love my Nikon.) But an incredible photographer. Darn, I wish we could share lenses. Aren't these stunning?


Check out the reflection of the mountains and the sky in the water. Beautiful, dad!


I wish I was there!


Have a safe trip, mom and dad. Hope you have a fabulous time!

haircut, round two.

I finally broke down and took P for his second haircut. I know. It was about time. I realized his hair was a bit too long. Especially after someone in the grocery store said, "Oh, your daughter is beautiful!" I like long hair on babies. But once it began resembling a mullet, I quickly gave in. We revisited Snip Its in Peachtree City, the same place I took him for his first haircut. He was a bit too young to really get this place. But now? He totally gets it. He loved his haircut experience. But how could you not enjoy this place? It looks like someplace out of a Dr. Seuss book. I half expected the hairdressers to be dressed like Cindy Lou Who.


P loved his prize out of the prize machine. He was so excited to get his prize card. And he was even more excited that his prize was a bouncy ball. And to top it all off, his prize shot out of the prize machine and flew across the room. He screamed with laughter. And then tried to steal the other kids prize cards.


He played with all of the other gadgets and gizmos, but clutched his prize for dear life. He worked hard for that prize. Haircuts are tough work for eighteen month olds. They deserve a prize. Where's my prize for taking him? Huh?



This picture was before the prize. Can you even tell he got his hair cut? I think I drove the lady crazy, hovering over her and making sure she didn't cut off all of his adorable baby hair. At least the mullet is gone. Even if it is still long.


I could not get him to leave. A river of tears was shed when we left. We will definitely go back. But it may be another six months.

okay, just one.

I know I said that I was giving P a break from my camera, but I couldn't resist. I love this one so much. Cooler weather equals cute hoodies. I love Fall.


It is also a special day for one of my most loyal blog followers. Happy birthday, Dad! I love you.