Fall Break-- Part One

Eli had a WHOLE WEEK off school the 3rd week of October for Fall break!  David managed to take off the whole week, too!  It was perfect timing, because my sisters and their families were flying to Indiana for a visit the same week!  Reunion time at Grammie's!

We left Friday after school.  Emily's family was already there, and Beth's got in later that night.  Saturday afternoon we went to Apple Works, then grilled out at a local park for dinner.

Clara was dying to ride a pony.  But as soon as she was on she gripped on to my neck for dear life!  She stayed holding on me for the whole ride.  :)  She loved it!

Eli climbing the tall haystack.

All of the kids really wanted to ride the train.  It was a bit disastrous, as it ended up being a LONG wait in line, and then when we finally got our turn the kids had different ideas about where on the train they wanted to sit.  Maybe we should have just let them sit anywhere, but we adults had it in our heads that they could all fit together only if they sat in the caboose.  Holly had had her heart set on the front seat, apparently.  So her face never improved the whole ride.  Poor girl!  My mom said that Noah, Ben, and Kate kept shouting worriedly at Eli to "Get down!  That's dangerous!" as I guess he wouldn't stay in his seat.  Kids!

A funny story from Apple Works--I took Clara to the (semi) porta-potty (there were several stalls and the toilets did flush, but it still felt very makeshift).  After she went we left the stall and washed hands.  As we entered outside and started climbing down the stairs it was only THEN that I noticed that her underwear and pants were still at her ankles!  I felt SO silly and embarrassed that I let her go outside without her pants up!  HOW did it take me that long to not see?  I'm surprised someone else didn't mention it, ha!

Sweet Noah with Clara

Four Sisters--Rebecca, Beth, Emily, Laura

We roasted hot dogs and s'mores!

Digging in!

Sunday we went to church (where Ezra had a HUGE blowout.  He loves having blowouts at church.), and my Aunt Paula and Uncle Steve, and cousins Mark, Gina, and their daughter Nora, came for dinner.

Monday we visited the zoo, as our cousins had never seen the dolphin show before.  That evening David went out with Emily's family to take their family pictures.

Tuesday we originally thought we'd go to the Covered Bridge Festival, but we then decided to just stay home instead.  We took a little drive over to the Dollar Tree where Grammie bought each kid one toy of their choosing (One of Eli's very favorite things to do).  She also put on her "Grammie Tea Party" (another treasured activity),

Drinking lemonade from tiny porcelain cups.  Gotta get every drop!

Mom and sisters all went out for a yummy lunch at BJ's.  For a final "fun" we finished the night with everyone going out for ice cream at Mrs. Curls.  (Ezra was there, too, but had already been placed in his carseat.)

Here's a few other pictures of the kids having fun just playing together at the house--

These two older cousins are sure proud of their baby siblings!  They were trying to help me set up a picture of Ezra and Rosie together.

Both such great babies!

These ones were my favorite that I just happened to get, when I walked onto the porch to find these cuties squealing and screaming with giddiness and a little bit of excited fright because . . .

Grandpa was going to get them!

Love when we can get together.  :)