Halloweeny things

Normally we do fun things every weekend in October leading up to Halloween. There are so many great things to do this time of year. We missed out on quite a few things this year due to being in Australia (I'm not complaining! haha). But we were able to squeeze a visit in to Homestead Gardens! Their Fall Festival was so much fun!

Decorating pumpkins!


Pony rides!




Pumpkin Express!


Super cute kiddos!




We had to go to four different places to find a pumpkin! The first one didn't have any carving pumpkins, the second and third didn't have ANY pumpkins, so our fourth stop was the winner! Emily picked out quite a...unique...pumpkin. It has character! Very lopsided and kinda bumpy. But she picked it out.



Cleaning the pumpkin


Pumpkin guts!


They both loved sticking their hands in and pulling out the guts


Taste test?


Final product! She said she wanted triangle eyes, rectangle nose and 4 teeth. So this is what we ended up with!

Markets and the beach

We checked out the Eumundi markets. This small town hosts a HUGE market twice a week. Lots of great music, lots of great food, and lots of great shopping! Then we did some beach/playground hopping :)

Didgeridoo stand


This little man is stealing all my smoothie!


She LOVED this toy. Would have played with it for hours if we let her.


"What? No - No - I wasn't eating sand. Nope, not me!"


Now that's a look...


....of pure...


...determination!


Ethan loved climbing into the holes we dug in the sand.


I caught him in the middle of a happy shreik...this kiddo loves him some sand!


I know it's a lot of beach pictures - but we spent a lot of time there!




He was shivering. He's got the cutest cold face I've ever seen!

Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo

We spent this day at the Australia Zoo. This is Steve Irwin's zoo, and since his passing, his family is in charge of it. We were lucky enough to see his wife and 2 kids in the Crocodile show at the zoo!

Checking out the new Africa exhibit!


Pretty kitties


They had African drums out for the kids to play with


Hangin' out in a crocodile's mouth


Feeding the elephants!


Terri Irwin in the Crocodile Show


The kids


These guys are crazy!


This smile was brought to you by the promise of an M&M






Tiger demonstration


Chris and I both loved the snake section of the zoo. There were all these dangerous snakes with labels like "most venemous snake" and "most deadly snake"...and then below that was a picture of Steve holding, poking, or harassing that snake. He was a crazy guy!


We really loved the zoo - there were so many interactive exhibits and talks and demonstrations. A really great experience.

Emily's first day of preschool

My big girl started preschool this week! She only goes 2 days a week for a couple hours. Here's the big girl before we left for school.



She was very excited for school. When we got there, she walked up the steps and into the classroom without a look back at me! No tears, no scared face. Just a happy girl ready to go to school! I'm so happy she loves school!



Her second day of preschool went great too! They had a halloween parade and party. She dressed up as Abby Cadabby, a fairy from Sesame Street.



Standing at the front of the class!