The weather was awesome on Friday and Saturday, and the girls played, hiked, and explored non-stop with our younger nephews, Josiah and Micah. We were at the campground with a large group of Tim and Dawn's fellow homeschooling friends, and we hardly saw our older nephews all weekend since they were off having fun with their middle- and high-school friends.
Dan helping Hallie navigate a nearby stream. She wanted to go everywhere as long as we were with her.
Emma needed no hand-holding. She had the best time discovering everything and trying to keep up with her cousin, Josiah! Even after an exhausting day, we were all awake half the night since the girls were so excited about sleeping in a tent! on the ground! outside! in the dark! beside Mommy and Daddy! what's that noise!
The homeschooling group held a Saturday morning worship service. Dan's brother, Tim (in the back, wearing a blue shirt & holding a guitar), helped lead the music. After the worship service, the group headed to the resort's lake to play.
Emma caught her first salamander at the lake!
Hallie had a blast playing with Micah in the shallow water and sand. The lake had an island in the center, and Dawn, one of her friends, and I swam to it, and Dan took Emma there in a kayak.
Unfortunately, there was a very heavy rainstorm on Saturday night, and we all hunkered down under a canopy that Tim and Dawn had packed.
When the storm passed, we found that everything along the edges of our tent was soaking wet! Instead of sleeping in wet gear, we decided to pack it up because we are fair-weather campers. Ha! We got home at midnight and did not regret sleeping in our own beds that night.
Even though school was in full swing, we made a point to do fun fall activities on our days off.
The girls and I met Emma's classmate, Elisha, and his mom, Jenna, at Busch Gardens one afternoon. The kids had free "preschool passes" that expired in October, so we squeezed in one last visit. Sadly, this was the last year that Emma and Elisha could get free passes, since they make you pay for kids older than 5. It sure was good while it lasted!
Hallie, on the other hand, still has two more free summers to visit Elmo and his friends at Busch Gardens!
Emma completed her first big project at school. The kids got to choose a weather condition to research and present in class. I listed every weather condition I could think of and asked which one she wanted for her project, and she chose "warm, sunny days." That's our Southern California baby!
Apparently she was in her element when she got up in front to teach the class.
The girls and I visited a local farm one day when Emma was off from school.
They loved the farm animals
We enjoyed a hay ride
They climbed and played on haystacks
And we wandered around in a corn maze. Just as we got to the farthest point from the exit, both girls suddenly had to pee, so they helped water the field. Ha ha! They are pointing at the pee spot and were so grossed out about it, but I thought it was hilarious!
The girls helped carve jack o' lanterns for Halloween.
Emma actually did eat some of the raw pumpkin and liked it.
It's hard to tell, but they both chose unicorn jack o' lanterns.
We had a Halloween party at my office and I dressed as a pirate.
I won 1st prize for my pirate ship pumpkin carving!
I stole the girls' dress-up necklaces and jewels to fill my ship, so I now have a criminal record to go with my pirate costume.
Emma and Hallie, on the other hand, dressed up as beautiful princesses for Halloween.
Every time my coworkers see this photo of Hallie, they say "that one's going to be trouble when she gets older."
We joined Dan's parents, Tim, Dawn, and the boys for trick-or-treating in Williamsburg. It was the warmest Halloween night we've ever had! I think it was 80 degrees that evening.
Princesses, superheroes, and an old Asian man.
One of my favorite photos of the night. Micah teaching Hallie his superhero pose. The girls trick-or-treated for about an hour before they were too tired to continue. As soon as they ask us to carry them because they don't want to walk anymore, we know it's time to head home. They get more than enough candy and we usually make it home by their bedtime. Best of both worlds.
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