Fall Pictures

 

A couple of Sunday's ago, I made the kids get all dressed up in their finest "warm" fall outfits to head out and take some pictures in the beautiful fall foliage that the Midwest brings.  From what I understand, the leaves start to "turn" and they get to a point where they reach full color, then a big rain storm comes and all the leaves fall off....then mother nature turns the switch (November 1st) and then it is cold....for what seems like forever! BUT, for the moment, I will enjoy actually having a fall season.  I must admit, it is absolutely beautiful here right now. 

 

I just want to eat this little guy up, he is so FREAKING cute!

They were wondering all over the park checking everything out.

I love this picture.  They are the best of friends.  As much as I don't want them to grow up, I look forward to watching their friendship grow.  Pictures like this capture the memories.

You can probably sense the sarcasm through her little smile.  She was like "mom, its really cold...are we done yet?"  Well, Jocelyn....bad news...this aint cold!

Kudos to the hubby for this picture recommendation.  Since we know nobody :( it was just the 4 of us in the park.  So, Derek recommended that we set the timer on the camera, place it on a picnic table and take a family picture.  Much to my surprise, the picture turned out amazing.  We only took one too!  I set the time, and started running, picked up Grayson and popped down next to D&J!  HAHA!

The landscape here is really beautiful

I told Derek that when we get to put landscaping in at the new house, I want to have trees that change color...he quickly reminds me that they will be approximately 5 feet tall and will NOT look like this one.  I can wish for it right?

Jocelyn taking a picture in the "pink" leaves

Jocelyn and her "Texas sized" leaf.

Daddy was throwing leaves at the kids to add to the ambiance of my photo session.  Grayson loved it even when a stick hit him in the head.

I still love this picture even though I have on zero makeup and my hair is not fixed.  Such a sweet picture.

The lighting was so pretty in this one.  Thanks to the family for putting up with my mini photo session.  Since we won't have bluebonnet pictures anymore, we will have to start this "Fall leaves pictures" as a new tradition!

Pickering Hill Farm

The Fall season in Ohio is pretty awesome, If I must admit.  Not only is the weather cooler (much more so than Texas), but the trees change color, AND there are a ton of really awesome activities to do with the kids.  We went to a local "farm" and got to pick pumpkins from their patch, and had our first experience going through a corn maze.  Fun stuff!

G was on the move!

Jocelyn immediately found her pumpkin and wouldn't put it down

G trying to pick up a pumpkin as big as he is

Kissing in the pumpkin patch

Grayson adores his big sister and follows her everywhere!

This cute farm also had a hay ride to/from the patch.  The kids loved it!

Jocelyn was our leader through the maze.  Multiple times she would turn around and tell us "shhhhh, mom....you are being too loud...follow me".  She is bossy like her mama!

She was so proud, and Grayson loved it!

Cleveland Happenings!

Sorry for the radio silence, I have no excuse other than I am lazy?  While Grayson is taking a nap, I thought I would post a little update on The England's.

So after our "fiasco" we finally got moved into our temporary apartment.  It is a perfect space for the 4 of us, but I must admit...we will be SO excited to get into our house.  Having the kids share a room has been difficult at times.  We have had numerous days were we got up WAY earlier than we should have because Jocelyn will hear Grayson, and then she jumps into his pack and play (which sounds cute) but not at 5am.  The temp housing company felt bad about the "fiasco" they created, so they left toys (and beer) for our family.  Kind gesture.

 We have been experiencing some cooler weather than we are use to, so Grayson was trying on his cold weather clothing!

I am very excited to report that I have been working with a designer for our new house, and it just so happens that she is a dear friend, so that makes doing business with her even more fun.  I shared some of my ideas on Pinterest with her, and she took it from there.  Above is the design board for what will be our new living room.  We have had fun shopping for all of the new items, it takes our minds off of the fact that our house is still not done. 

Kitchen Area

She also helped me do our master bedroom too!  I am so excited!

Jocelyn modeling her cold weather outfit!

We reluctantly got our cars registered in Ohio...and got our licenses too.  Crazy!  I guess we are officially residents here.

We have been on the hunt for a good Mexican food restaurant as well.  It is safe to say we haven't found "our spot" just yet, but this place was pretty good...I think Grayson agreed!

We have been wearing our Aggie gear around town loud and PROUD!

Jocelyn and Grayson are back in school, and they LOVE it!  Each day, we get multiple pictures emailed to us of their daily happenings.  It just melts my heart when I see them smiling and having fun!  It helps me feel confident that we made the right decision to put them in school.

Last week, Derek and I celebrated 8 years of marriage!  I can't believe how fast time has flown.  We actually got to go out to dinner and celebrate.  We had our realtors daughter come hang out with the kids (probably the easiest $$ she has ever made)!  Jocelyn keeps asking when Ms. Jordan is going to come back to play!  :)

For a change of pace, Derek and I have joined a local CrossFit gym in the area, and are loving it!  I typically go at 5am, and Derek goes later in the day.  It is challenging, but the environment is fun, and it is a good way to meet people.

 

Jocelyn did her first workout at CrossFit too.  She did the obstacle course in 55 seconds, and got to write her name and time on the board just like mom and dad.  She had a blast!

Daddy helping Jocelyn do a "pull up"