Hello, October!

A busy week with Amy away for a work trip, the kids participating in the walk-a-thon, Cub Scouts events on Wednesday and Saturday, and a hike and a football game on Sunday!  We hope everyone is healthy and happy and enjoying the fall weather!


Ayson working on his Five Nights at Freddy's drawings after dinner


while Adam cleaned the pool :)


Well, hello!


On Wednesday and Thursday, Amy was in Niagara Falls NY for the designation of the Niagara River Corridor as a Ramsar Convention Wetland of International Importance!   There are over 2,000 sites world wide with 39 other sites, such as the Florida Everglades, in the U.S.  It was great to celebrate the effort put forth by the local partners to get the Niagara River recognized!





Friday was the elementary school walk-a-thon and the kids walked outside and inside (there was a little bit of rain) to raise money for "Art, Music and Physical Education Departments, that will benefit ALL students"  Addie and Ayson each walked at least 11 laps (so over 2 miles each!) and we will get their final lap tallies this week.  The prize for the most laps is the pumpkin from each class:
Story Book Pumpkin Patch Prizes

On Friday night, we went to Tully's for dinner
Ayson showing off the $5 he turned into tokens - he ended up winning one lonely tootsie roll - hahaha.


Addie with her loot


On Saturday morning, the Cub Scouts cleaned bird boxes along Onondaga Creek in our valley and we all tagged along!


Gorgeous fall day!


Sunday morning was a lazy day with inside fun for the kiddos (and chores for Amy) while Adam and Grandpa Chuck attended the NY Giants game.

Addie making a bead creation


Ayson trying to build a fort that the kittens would not destroy :)


Pictures from the football game





Ayson's lunch creation - a face!  Ayson insisted that Amy take a picture :)


After lunch, Amy and the kiddos went to Labrador Unique Area




The fallen leaves make a great contrast with the greenery and the grey rocks!


The kids walking and talking along the board walk


A pretty fall leaf!

Friday Date Night and Cub Scout Camp Out

Not many "kid" pictures this week but we had a good week at school, work, and at home!  We invited a neighbor friend for Friday Night Pizza and we attended a Cub Scout camping event over the weekend.   We hope everyone enjoyed the weekend fall weather! 

On Thursday morning, Amy put the kids on the bus and then went kayaking before work with Robyn








For Friday night Pizza Night, Ms Annie joined us!  She brought an amazing salad and we feasted on salad, chicken wings, fried pickles, and garlic pizza - yum :)  Thanks for joining us and hanging out, Ms Annie - we all enjoyed it!

Saturday was a Cub Scouts camp out.  Adam and Ayson spent the night while Amy and Addie just played for the afternoon.
Ayson holding the ladder so his friend could reach the top


The boys being boys - climbing and making a leaf pile.


A hike in the woods


Practicing their skit


While the younger girls colored


Another walk in the woods to the ravine


Ayson and Grant feasting on their fire "roasted" apples


Grant: "Look how awesome this apple is!"  :)


A tired boy and his kitten taking a Sunday afternoon snooze :)

The New School Year Routine

It was the third week of school and the first week with the new school routine, including homework, for all 4 of us (no traveling for Adam or Amy)!  It was nice to be home and learn about what the kiddos are doing in school.  Auntie Julie, Uncle Dan, and cousins came over on Saturday to help stack fire wood.  We had a fun day and evening and a low key Sunday of puttering around the house and yard and a little bit of swimming - it was 87 degrees on Sunday!!!  We hope that everyone had a great week and are happy and healthy!

Addie wanted a picture with her pillow pets :)


Bad, Thunder!


A gorgeous card Grandma Pat sent the kids


We experienced a few bumps in the after school routine - by Wednesday the kiddos had it down!


Working on crafts after dinner


Denise watched the kiddos on Wednesday so that Amy and Adam could go to Curriculum Night at school.  Amy went to Ayson's class and Adam went to Addie's :)  We both learned what the kiddos will be up to for the school year.
A picture in Ayson's classroom - the  kids had to pick one word to describe themselves, define the word, and then use it in a sentence about themselves.


On Thursday and Friday, Amy participated in Conservation Field Days (sponsored by the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District).5th and 6th graders played the part of a bird in the game called The Great Migration Challenge!  The kids had a blast and Amy needed a nap at the end of each day :)

A Master Gardener was also at Conservation Field Days and she showed Amy the bird house gourds that are growing at the 4 -H camp (where the event is held)


Can you see the large gourd hanging from the netting?


Friday night bonfire


On Saturday, Auntie Julie, Uncle Dan, and cousins came out.  The big boys stacked wood and smoked a pork shoulder and brisket while the boys played and the girls gallivanted :)




The kiddos scoping out the free goodies at the Elegant Barn - an antique shop with crafts and so much more (also a friend and neighbor)


Of course we had to stop at Deer Run for apple fritters!


Hi girls!


The kiddos playing in the pool


Cousins





Pretty sunny!