Our Jack-O-Latern

Camden wanted her pumpkin carved this year, so she and Kevin set to it.  All the necessary steps were taken...

Too "ucky"...had to go with the spoon.

Designs were discussed and Kevin (and Camden) went to carving.  She did all the "popping" out.

 

 

 

We are very pleased with the final product.  Just need a candle tonight...

Pumpkins and Cider

While waiting for Gramma Pat to arrive, we needed a break.  We headed into the store and got a cider slushie (Camden) and a hot cider (me) and a few apples from the samples.  This orchard has some of the best of both around.  We learned that they have won the best apple cider in Indiana award for the past 3 years.  It truly is amazing - frozen, cold, or hot.

It was also great that they had a fire pit going near the Barnyard Bonanza because it was chilly and we liked being able to warm up whenever we wanted.

Once Gramma arrived, the three of us headed over to the hayride to take us to the pumpkin patch. 

The patch was huge, a little picked over, and muddy!  It had rained significantly the day before and we had to negotiate our way around.  Our shoes were covered, but we did manage to find a beauty.

Beasley's Orchard Fall Break Fun

Our favorite orchard has added a play area, called the "Barnyard Bonanza" to their activities.  They do field trips (we have gone twice) to the pumpkin patch or the apple orchard, but also have had hayrides to the pumpkin patch and a corn maze every fall.

Camden has wanted to do the Barnyard activities all summer/fall, but when I saw they had a fall break special during the week, I knew we had to head over there.  I took the day off and we went on Friday.  Gramma Pat was able to join us about 1/2 way through our day after she came back from a quick trip to Columbus to take care of some house stuff.

It was a windy/chilly day, but Camden enjoyed it immensely.  We stayed almost 4 hours and she probably spent more than 1/2 of it jumping on the big balloon bouncer.  
 

She makes friends so easily wherever we go and quickly joined games of tag or just bounced with new kids she would meet.

This area had lots of other options as well and Camden took it all in.

I was really impressed with this carnival-like ball game area.  There were sections for baseball, football, and basketball.  We tried them all.

The big mound of hay didn't keep her attention for long, but you have to climb it at least once...cause it's there.

My beautiful girl in pink!

At one point she discovered the tetherball.  This was one of my favorite games as a child.  I discovered it at church camp when I was about Camden's age.  When I came home loving it, my dad got a tetherball set and put it up in our backyard.  She really enjoyed it too, so I think this is going to be a "must" at our new house.

GWL Arcade

There was a lot to love about GWL besides the water park.  At the top of Camden's list was the arcade.  It was huge!  And had huge games.  Our favorite - The Big One!

Rhianah and Camden both were able to snag a big ball.  We love that it has Great Wolf Lodge on it...it's a perfect souvenir.

GWL Water Park

We spent a good chunk of both days at the water park.  I only used my phone to take pictures, so they are not the best (but, I have misplaced the camera card from the rest of the trip, so these might be all we have).

Camden likes the water slides.  Big or small she enjoys them all.  She did a few by herself, but the long lines did deter her from doing them all day.

She and I did one together.  In the bottom right corner there is a large yellow "bowl."  We were in a two person tube that took us down a twisty shoot and into the bowl.  We circled it 3-4 times before we were flushed down another shoot that took us out.  It was super fun.

Rhianah does not have the same sense of adventure as Camden.  She didn't do any water slides.  She enjoyed most of her time in the wave pool and the lazy river.

Camden was in both a lot too.  As were Kevin and I.