Fall Fun

The past week has consisted mostly of settling in and getting used to the weather changes. It's chilly here now, but it's also the most beautiful season of the year. We celebrated its arrival with the Morrisons at the Curtis Orchard with pumpkins and playing outside.

 The big guy goes down by himself now!

 This picture totally captures Michael: he refuses to follow the herd.

 Pumpkin found and claimed!

What a great time. Now starts the countdown to the dissertation defense, a focus on job searching, and fighting fall colds.

We're HOME

So much has happened in the last few weeks, and I haven't had any time to blog about it all. Since Labor Day, Michael started school, and we were out of town twice. But now we're back and things should settle down for fall. Whew! I need a home-vacation. Okay, here we go. Michael started school right after Labor Day at a two morning-per-week preschool. Besides Sunday School, he's really never done something like this before, but he loves it! He cried the first day, but since then, he's ready to go every morning. This is him on his first day with his new backpack. He's looking cool.

Right after school began, we drove to South Carolina for a beach vacation with my family in Hilton Head. It was a fabulous trip and so nice for the family to get to spend some real time together. The weather was beautiful, the company was great, and we stayed busy.

 

 Michael still liked the sand the best, but he started getting into the water too.

 Shrimp boat!

 

He loved his time with Gigi and Pops and still sings, "Pops goes Gigi!"

 

 There was this fabulous ditch someone dug on the beach that Michael adopted as his construction site.

The whole gang.

Finney!

 

 On our way home, we found this awesome seesaw at a rest area. It has been ages since I've been on one, and it was Michael's first. I think we might have had a bit too much fun here.

 After returning, I left forty-eight hours later to attend a conference in Indiana for the weekend. I am so ready to be home for a good, long time!

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend, we joined the Batsons in Michigan for our annual Labor Day festivities. As usual, we had a great time. Michael has been traveling so much better this summer: he sleeps, he eats, and he has more patience, which has made our trips ten times more fun than before. And good thing since we have one more comming up this weekend. We arrived in Michigan Thursday night and began Friday with a trip to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Yeah, I didn't know what to expect either.

 It turned out to be a great display of all things air--planes, helicopters, space shuttles, hot air balloons, you name it. It was very interactive too.

 Not only could you get in many of the displays, but there were all kinds of similators for the older visitors, and rides for everyone.

 I know this isn't the best picture, but it was Michael's favorite ride, so I had to include it. Michael and I are in the green balloon, which circled around like a Ferris wheel. I think he rode it about seven times.

 He also really liked the air plane ride, and I just enjoyed watching JD try to fit into the plane.

 

 

 We also spent a bit of time in the pool. Michael thought he wanted to go down the slide, but he changed his mind at the last minute (thankfully!).

 We also shopped, ate, took Michael to the carousel, watched football, and played with the Batsons' incredible collection of toys. What a great visit! We headed home Sunday, and Monday morning, Michael and I joined Melissa and Miles in downtown Bloomington for the Labor Day parade. Michael's favorite part? The big elephant in the background, advertising for the Republican party.

Now we've got a couple of days of school and work before we head back down South to Hilton Head for our second beach vacation. But up first: Michael's first day of school tomorrow! Wish us luck!