Fall Fun

These past few weeks have been a lot of fun.  We have had tons of fun fall activities. Our lives have been saturated with pumpkins, candy, and excitement.  Everywhere we go the kids spot the spooky decorations around town.  As much as they love all the scary ghosts, witches and monsters that they are suddenly surrounded by, they have also been somewhat plagued with bad dreams and pretty regularly show up in our room at night for reassurance that the scary things are just pretend.

Autumn just keeps growing.  Today for the first time she had tears when she cried. Its heart breaking to see them.  She also made the big move from our bedroom into her own.  Although she still prefers to sleep on one of us.

4 weeks old

We went to a children's fall festival at Shavers Creek. While there, we went on a hike down some nearby trails. Ellie, of course found many fantastic sticks.  That same night we went to a pumpkin festival at the arboretum. It was at night and there were hundreds of carved pumpkins all lit up on display. The kids thought it was so great that they got to be out in the dark. 

The stadium had trick or treating one night.  The athletes handed out the candy and Ellie charmed extra helpings out of most of the them.

Saturday mornings the kids usually climb in bed with Jake and I for some snuggle time.  It is one of my favorite events each week. Although, I'm starting to think we need a bigger bed now that Autumn has joined in.

 The kids were so excited for the first snow of the year.  They loved playing in it and even did a little sledding.  They seem to think it is Christmas now though and can't stop talking about it.

                                                                             5 weeks old!

Spider Man and Kitty Cat

The kids have been talking non-stop about going trick-or-treating. I already loved Halloween, but they make it even better.  They sure loved going door to door for treats.  They certainly weren't shy- Ellie walked right into a stranger's home and Jake had to go in after her. After working the neighborhood, we went to a Halloween party at some friend's house and made haunted houses out of gram crackers and candy.  The kids had such a great Halloween and I'm sure they will be counting down until next year.  Fortunately we have our ward Trunk-or-Treat tomorrow so the fun can continue for one more night. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Early October

Another couple of weeks have flown by.  Autumn is nearly 4 weeks old.  She still feels so new to me and I  catch myself staring at her in amazement. She is our little cuddle baby and we have sabotaged our nights by training her to think she needs to be held every moment.  She is such a sweet little thing and even her brother and sister treasure her.

One afternoon we set out in search of a nearby forest that due to land disputes, has never been logged.  It is full of trees that are over 500 years old. Most of the trees in Pennsylvania are only about a hundred years old, as the forests here have been clear cut three or more times since the area was settled. We were excited to see it. However, as Pennsylvania dirt roads go, we once again got lost. We still had a great time. It was a beautiful drive with fall colored leaves. We were still able to go on a little hike, which the kids loved.  One funny thing about Ellie these days, is that she is obsessed with sticks.  Everywhere we go she collects as many as she can carry and is heart broken when she has to leave them behind.  Often times she is so loaded down with sticks she can hardly walk.  She comes in pretty handy when you want to make a fire!

 Our Hudson boy turned 4!!!!

I cant think of anything more worth celebrating then being able to have our wonderful son for four fun filled years. He is such a good boy, and it has been a joy to watch him grow and learn more every day.

It was an all day celebration, with chocolate chip pancakes, games, presents, blue train cakes, and a pizza party dinner. Grandma Wendy got to come and share the big day with us. Hudson told us it was the best birthday ever and hasn't stopped talking about when he will get 5th birthday yet.

We took a trip to the nearby Altoona Horseshoe Curve, and historical train museum. It was really neat to see the trains pass through the 220 degree arc, and the historical museum was really interesting as well, but of coarse the kids were just thrilled to get to see all the new and old trains. 

I think it is safe to say Hudson was most impressed by this enormous train table in the gift shop.



Riding the tram up to the top of the curve.

Hopefully this one learns to love trains as well! 



Much thanks to Gram Wendy for coming to visit us and helping us out so much.  She took the kids on adventures and kept them entertained.  She also took turns with Autumn at night and let Jake and I get caught up on a little sleep. Jake and I even got to go on a couple dates thanks to her willingness to baby sit.  More then anything it was just nice to have her around.  I'm sure missing all of our family back in Utah right now. 



Snuggle Up

Typing with one hand is pretty tedious; and these days at least one of my hands always seems to be holding a baby, a book, or a train. So, the writing portion of my blog will be considerably shorter.  Autumn is now two weeks old.  She is doing great, although during the day when the house is full of tons of noise and commotion she escapes the chaos by sleeping. Then at night when all is still and quiet she decides its time to be awake and alert, and NEEDY! Its not that we mind loving on our little girl, we adore her snuggles and seeing her pretty eyes taking in the world around her.  Its just that at one in the morning we also love to sleep.  We are trying to just enjoy it as much as possible, because we know that all too soon these sleepy snuggle days will be over, and we can catch up on our sleep then.  She is sure a sweet baby and since my only complaint is that she wants to be with Jake and I at night I know we are very lucky.

Life has started to fall back into a routine and it feels good.  The three kids and I have been making trips to the park and trying to soak up a little sunshine since it has finally decided to return.  I have even made it a whole week without crying so either the sunshine is helping or my hormones are finally leveling out a bit.  We took Autumn on her first hike on Saturday. It was so fun to get out as a family again.  The trail led to a train track and Hudson and Ellie thought it was the greatest thing ever. 

First Week

Well, we have made it over a week of being home with little Autumn.  Fortunately we had Grandma Andrea here to help us through.  With as tired as I have been this week with all her help, I'm scared to even think about what it would have been like without her. We are all so grateful for her help.  Not to mention how much fun it was for the kids to get to play with their Powell Grandparents. 

Here are some of my favorite photos of the week:  



I wonder what she was dreaming of.





Nothing better then a Grandma




Go Aggies!
The kids had so much fun with their grandparents.
  They had a football party, and slept over at the hotel with them.  They loved wearing out Grandpa Gary.



After lots of begging we finally let Hudson hold Autumn for the first time.
He is such a sweet older brother!



On Sunday we had to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa and no one was more sad to see them go then me.....except maybe Autumn. The kids had been so happy to have grandparents here they didn't pay a whole lot of attention to her.  Almost as soon as the Powell's walked out the door the kids attention focused on Autumn. They want to share their favorite blankets and toys with her, and give her lots of loves.

 She is going to be one tough little girl!