Cornucopia of VA and NJ

We had a fabulous time visiting with friends and family in VA and NJ.  It's hard to surmise all that we did as it's quite a blur at this point.  We mainly just relaxed and ate (A LOT), and watched everyone be entertained with the Helaina show.  She was a trooper and as usual did much better with the travel than Chris and I did.


We all enjoyed the cold and crisp air of Fall that we haven't felt in so long.  Did I mention we ate?  We noshed on Carl's Ice cream (a local favorite that we are usually too late in the season to visit), all kind of yummy delicacies at my dads house.  When we ate out, Chris and I were amused at the price of all the food.  2 years in Hawaii and we are still not adjusted to the cost of living here.  There is also something about eating home cooked meals or food from local restaurants that just scream "home"

Considering my energy level has sunken to a 3rd trimester predictable low and Helaina's has ramped up to surpass the speed of sound, I will share our visit with pictures to tell the story:

Helaina's favorite game at Mimi &
Grandaddy's was "cook"

The Goldfish and her Fisherman for
the fall festival

Uncle Jerm in his masked outfit made
quite the impression on Helaina

Helaina was not the only one who enjoyed

all the parks we went to

Duck feeding at the Lawrence family's house

Getting the mail was a fun activity that you take
for granted unless you live in a high rise

Painting a pumpkin with Grandaddy 

It's neat when my daughter gets to meet an old
friends daughter.In this case it was Stacy Dumas and Anslee.

Her Highness of Fall

Soccer with Daddy in the yard

2 of the 4 Kohl Girls (yup, I said 4)

Grandaddy's chauffer service to the train station

All Aboard-- Next stop NJ!

We thoroughly enjoyed our train trip and
talked about making another one!

Bike ride with Pop Pop

Improvised Pop Pop swing

Feeding the ducks at the Zoo.  

Cousin love

More cousin love

Hmmm.  More eating.

Frosty photo op

Exploring Pop Pops new toy, um Truck

It wasn't all fun and games. Helaina had to earn her
keep at Pop Pops to off set her food intake.  

Raking leaves

taking out the trash

Mowing the Lawn

This is what Pop would do if she didn't complete her chores ;o)

Cousin Tracy's Wedding - Congrats!

Dis' House

We, like most families have entirely too many toys.  I base that on this: regardless of the toys that you have, kids seem to want to play with everything else instead.  Mostly, everyday things like Tupperware, keys, and phones.  Helaina seems to really love boxes as well.

You may remember back to a post I had written about a large box that came with Helaina's new car seat.  She loved it so much that we did not throw it out and she loves when Chris or I, (or anyone who is willing) gets in the box.  I couldn't have just a hunk of cardboard sitting around so we have evolved this box into a play house for her.  Chris lifted the roof and taped everything into place.  We all ate the 165 eggs used to construct the roofing tiles which mommy hot glued.   Helaina hand selected the pictures that decorate the box with some direction from mommy.  I really tried to let the control freak in me let her decide where they were going on the box but I must admit that I ultimately had creative control for placement.  Putting it together was hours of entertainment in of itself. 

The door is sure to be the first to go.

Close examination reveals the zoo map and the
"hula" bus brochure. (2 of her favorites)

The box makes a great conversation peice for visitors.  All people under 3 feet love the box as well.  Helaina likes to knock on the door or have us knock and ask who is in there.  It has been a real inexpensive treat (which are always the best). 

On other updates.  The belly is getting BIG.  Helaina is busy as all get out.  Hope everyone had a great Halloween. The fisherman (Chris) and his Goldfish were a huge success.  Were on "cation" visiting cold weather states and family.  As if my blog's haven't been few are far in between, vacation is sure to put a damper on my updates.  Family visits are bad for blogs but good for the soul.  Hopefully I will make the time for uploading and updating after the visit!

28 weeks.  It's even bigger at 30.

The goldish had a great time at the fall festival
in Fredericksburg.  (info on another blog to follow)