Wild, Wonderful West Virginia #2

The first weekend in October we went to West Virginia to my aunt and uncle's lakehouse.  They have a quaint lakehouse on a quiet lake called Rock Lake.  It is outside of Fairmont (northern West Virginia) where my aunt and uncle live.  My other aunt and uncle (they currently live outside of Louisville) just bought a lakehouse there too because they loved it so much when they were visiting. We went two years ago and were excited to return.  David, Carrie and the boys went too because it was Dylan and Addie's fall break.  Lots of pictures below!

After about a 6 hour car ride, which included a car sick kid (if is not one it is the other...ugh!), we were happy to get there and get to catch up with family we don't get to see much. And of course we did that while enjoying some Yuengling.  It is our favorite and they don't sell it in Kentucky.

The next morning we woke up to this!  So pretty!  The leaves hadn't changed much yet, but it was still beautiful nonetheless. We had great weather most of the time we were there.

Kate and I played on the dock together early in the morning.  I love taking photos in the early morning light.

And the other kids soon followed.

   

Love this one!

Then we went exploring the grounds a bit.

 

Then it was time for some canoeing fun.  

The boys love Uncle Jer! 

Then paddleboat fun!

After lunch we played games while Kate napped and then eventually we went on a walk to the playground and beach area.

Kate loves to swing!                                                    

This slide is very high and goes straight into the lake. Dylan chickened out and walked back down.  Addie said she would do it, but didn't even get to the top before coming back down. Maybe next time! :)  There is also a big diving board that goes into the lake. Dylan did do that a few times.

                                                                                  

It was a pretty warm weekend for early October. The kids found it warm enough to play at the beach and in the water even though the water was really cold!

 

Walking back to the house.  Beautiful scenery!

 

 Addie found a salamander on the walk back.  She is such a nature girl!

Jeremy smoked ribs and chicken for dinner.  Yum!  Afterwards we went back on the paddle boat and canoe. 

This is blurry, but had to get a picture of all the kids in the canoe with Dylan rowing in the front.  He is tough stuff!

After we put the kids to bed the adults had fun playing some board games.  My brother and cousin might be two of the most hilarious people I know!

The next morning we spent some time fishing.

 

   

Kate would not put down her little bowl of Corn Pops.  We joked that they were the secret to catching fish because she would cart them around everywhere and fish would start nibbling.

 

I think Jeremy might be in heaven here! :)

 

Evidence I went on the trip too.  Ha!

 

Lauren, Bill and their dog, Coach. Ah, the life!

Since we weren't haven't much luck catching fish with just lures the kids and Jeremy went on a hunt to find worms. That might have been Addie's favorite part of the trip.  She loves worms!

And off they went again.  Love this pic too!

Ta-da!  It worked!

 

 

Since I had just started  my new job I couldn't take any time off so I had to drive back on my own on Sunday evening. My mom wasn't able to come up until Sunday evening so we passed each other on the road.  The kids enjoyed going to the lake's library with Grammy, doing puzzles, playing games and enjoyed more time at the lake before Jeremy, David, Carrie and the kids came home on Tuesday.  

Thanks to the Pettys for another great trip in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia!

End of September

Jeremy was sick one weekend so I took the girls to Henry's Ark in Prospect.  I actually had never taken the girls out there before.  It is an exotic animal farm and the best part is...it's free!  We had fun looking at the buffalo, llamas, turkeys, roosters and more.

Jeremy and Addison camped out in the backyard one night.  Kate joined in for the fun for a little bit, but eventually Kate and I came inside.  Jeremy said Addie was asleep in 10 minutes!  Guess we need to do that more often since she went to bed so well.  Next time is real camping.  Addie loved camping and was so excited to finally sleep in the tent!

Our church does a Children's Sunday where all children do all parts of the service. Addie sang in the beginning of the service.  I was able to snap this photo of the girls quietly watching the children's handbell choir.  So sweet!

Oh, and then this happened.  Yep, Addie cut her own hair.  I know most kids do this, but I was surprised at the age of 5.  Look at that beautiful curl!  And this isn't even all of it.  We found hair in the bathroom for 2 days.  So, when you see pictures of her in the coming months and she looks different because she has some short bangs, now you know.  This was a time when I wish I had a parent manual so I knew the appropriate punishment for the offense. Ha!

I finished my work with The Kentucky Center/GSA on a Thursday and I was a hot mess!  I LOVED the people I worked with, really enjoyed my job and practically grew up there so it was a day full of many emotions.  I knew it was the right move and the right timing.  I got one day off in between jobs.  Woo hoo!  I would have loved something like two weeks between, but it just couldn't happen that way.  That Friday Kelly was in town from NYC so we went to Wild Eggs for breakfast and mimomas to celebrate new jobs for the both of us.  Yum!

Our next stop was to see the house Jeremy built.  That day he turned the keys over to the owners and they moved their stuff in.  I am soooo proud of him!  He worked with the owners on the design and built the home.  He is one of the most driven people I have ever met in my life, which is clearly needed to own a business, especially in this industry.  He is so talented, has very high expectations, is a strong communicator and really enjoys the work (well, most days).  I hope to post more pictures soon of the inside of the home.  Here is a before and after picture.  Stunning!  What an accomplishment!

Kelly and I's final stop was to surprise Addie at school for the lunch.  I figured it was one of the only times I could do it since I can't take much time off with starting a new job.  She was surprised to see us and I loved seeing her in her element.  Mrs. Mercker (our friend, Kim) let us hang around for recess, too. 

And then I started my new job the last week of September.  I am the sole admissions counselor for the University of Louisville School of Music working with undergraduate, graduate and international applicants.  I will also do some academic advising and help work on retention issues, which means helping students get back on track after struggling with classes.  After a meeting with the main Admissions Office I came back with a bunch of UofL swag.  I felt official!

Early September

Trying to recap things from early September.  My memory is a little foggy.  :)

One night on Labor Day weekend we had the Bells over for dinner.  We ended the evening with s'mores.  We love our firepit and the girls love s'mores.

Emma stayed the night.  These girls grew up together since their moms worked together and they were at the same daycare.  Now they go to different elementary schools so they were very excited to have a sleepover. BFFs! 

Addison played soccer again this year.  Last year she was doing cartwheels.  This year she actually went for the ball.  Lots of improvement!  Verdict is still out whether or not she will continue with this sport.  Sometimes she seemed really into it and other times she didn't care much.  We shall see. 

 

 

Addie had two great coaches this year!  They were really good at encouraging the kids, were very fair and did lots of good exercises.  The last practice night the kids played the adults in a scrimmage.  I was at practice that night.  I have never played soccer in work clothes/shoes before, but it was nothing that this soccer mom/soccer star couldn't handle!  Ha!

One afternoon my parents watched Dawson so we met them at Brown Park to feed ducks and play.

 

This is now the way Kate smiles for the camera.  She cheeses so much her eyes close.

Love this one of Addie girl.

 

 

 

 

It was Living Organism Week for Addie so one day the students had to bring a living organism or a picture of a living organism.  In true Addie fashion, she brought a container full of worms!  Recently we were talking and she said, "Mommy, the next time it rains, can we go outside..."  I interrupted her thinking she was going to say, "...to play in the rain?"  But instead she said, "No, mommy, so we can go looking for worms!"  She is a nature girl.  Here is a picture of Addie showing off her worms and walking Sadie.  Sadie actually came to the bus stop that day.  Sadie is so old and doesn't do long walks well.  It took her some time, but she made it there and back.  Addie liked having Sadie at the bus stop that morning.

Addie and I went with David and Dylan to a UofL football game.  It should indicate how little we (well, really Jeremy) watch sports on tv when Addison asked on the way there, "So, what is a football game?"  Ha!  It was a very hot day.  Addie got bored, but was entertained by eating game food and watching the cheerleaders.  This was right before I started at my new job at UofL.  It was pretty cool seeing the marching band and being at the game knowing I would soon be working for the UofL School of Music.

More updates soon.  Trying to get to October because I have lots of pictures from all of the fall activities!  I love fall!