In ten years...

A lot changed since Cory and I graduated from Furman in 2000, not the least of which is conversation topics such as...

• the opportunity for Floridians to see the change in leaf colors 
• bottle strikes and potty training
• and actually discussing the football game outcome

There is still an unending litany of stories that never cease to make us laugh, and Cory and I, who started dating in the middle of our senior year, still get to hear a few new ones that reaffirm that it's a good thing that we didn't start dating until the middle of our senior year.

Henry hung out with us on Saturday of homecoming, and seeing the festivities through his eyes made me re-think our resolution to teach the boy the value of an affordable state college education.  (Scholarships, Henry.  Scholarships.)

This one makes me smile...  

Look!  A train!

New attendee to the Hurricane Club tailgate:

A roll down the hill...

FU Allllllllllllllll the time!

Boo!

Scary, huh?  Actually, it's just a picture of a sleepy frog shining his flashlight in your eyes.  It was taken a few weeks ago when Henry turned his attention to the frog costume/ snowsuit hanging in his closet and determined that adding pajamas to its utility would be a good idea.  Considering the higher temps in which he slept we can also add "sweatsuit" to the frog suit's list of roles.  That suit is now residing in a neighbor's closet and will be brought out for trick or treating this weekend.

Meanwhile, we introduced Henry in his his new costume...

We joined the Ekebergh family for Boo in the Zoo, and even though it was members only night, about half the people who go to the Greenville Zoo are members.  The line of costumed children and their accompanying parents moved quickly, although my tired little triceratops (with four horns?), exhausted from a day on the apple farm, sometimes struggled to keep up with the pace. 

This little airplane had the right idea, though:

This little one, too.  She was either held or strolled the whole night.  Gah.

Since Friday night also kicked off our 10th reunion, I just have to add this photo:

I'm certain that 10 years ago, we were not imagining this scene. 

Field trip!

Last Friday marked Henry's second field trip.  It would have been his second trip to Nivens Apple Farm had they not cancelled on Henry's class last year, forcing them to relocate to Callaham's orchard.  Daddy went last year, but his schedule wouldn't permit for him to go this time.  I got to go along this year, and I had a great morning with my boy.

We arrived by bus.

And we were greeted by a ruler wielding pumpkin.

And after the hayride (the most anticipated part of the trip)...

We embarked on the corn maze.

The direction wasn't always clear, and there wasn't always a consensus:

But we made it out in time to jump on some inner tubes.

Then we took in the farm animals and picked out (but didn't pick from the vine) our pumpkin.

 Wesley and Henry played checkers like old men... so cute!

The hayride, corn maze, inner tubes, farm animals, pumpkins, and other miscellaneous attractions were pretty great, but here is what I think was the most fun part for Henry... this rail that led into the store.

I love this boy.

Fall Family Fun

As if our fall wasn't fun enough already, the yW hosted a family fun night on the 18th--potluck dinner and a cookie decorating station for the kids.

Henry, who has a propensity to eat only icing and not its carrier, ate his whole cookie.  We were so darn proud!

Driving Lessons

Hehe...

Almost one...

Ryleigh turns one on the 28th, so we celebrated a little early.  This pre-birthday party was very casual as you can tell from H's selected attire.

Happy Almost Birthday to Ryleigh!

Meanwhile, back at the pumpkin patch

Here's what was going on while Anna played soccer... related activity.

Here's what was going on while Evan played his soccer match... pumpkin patch!

The church who hosts the Upward soccer teams was also hosting a pumpkin sale to go towards their mission efforts.  We didn't purchase a pumpkin, but we did offer our examination of their offerings, and Anna let Henry know that they already got their pumpkin from this patch.  Later, they also made good use of the stickers and candy they were given which inspired creative sticker placement and lots of energy.