Halloween

Okay, I know I am late posting Halloween stuff.  I never even posted anything on facebook!  So, here are the long-awaited pictures!  We had three Halloween events this year.  Ryan and I had a party.  An actual dress up party.  We went as a tree and a tree hugger.  We were supposed to be dressed together, as a couple.  It was the first time I had dressed up since, ummm...maybe, 8th grade.  hahaha.  Here we are looking SOOOO good!  I love Ryan as a tree!

 

 

On Sunday night, we had the Harvest Carnival at Cyprus Creek.  It went well: great chili!  YUM!  Mercy was a strawberry (again this year), Josiah was a transformer (again), and Aedan was a tiger!  (which Josiah was a couple years ago!)  Also, a regular outift during football season!

On Halloween, we went to the Carnival at the church.  This time Aedan decided to be Clemson football player!!!  He also hooked me up with LOTS of Reese Cups!  hahaha!

A fall swim

While in Lexington, the kids REALLY enjoyed swimming!  They had a blast!  They also enjoyed nightly Sweet Frog trips, and pizza! :)

 

The Natural Bridge

For several years I have wanted to go to the Natural Bridge.  I pass the exit for it when I go visit my mom.  Finally, we saw it!  woo hoo!  It is really pretty:)  With admission, you also get to go to the Toy Museum, Wax Museum, and Butterfly Area.  We did it all!  The walk to see the Bridge itself wasn't far at all.  Then there is a trail to walk on that leads to a small waterfall.  The trail was great (nice and wide) and was a perfect length.  I think total (there and back) was about 2 miles.  On the hike there was an indian area.  The boys liked it and seemed much more interested then I thought they would be.  (Maybe they'll be ready for a Jamestown visit next time we go to Newport News!)  Here are some pictures:)

 

Gift shop.

a beaver dam...picture taken for Josiah

an underneith shot

Checking out the raccoon fur!  Yes, I was surprised they were willing to touch it! :)

at the waterfall

The Butterfly Garden:

 

The butterflies were everywhere.  All over the walls and even on the floor.  You had to watch your step!

Looking at the butterflies!

And, one Wax Museum photo!  Adam and Eve!

The Virginia Safari Park

Our fall break trip this year was to Lexington, Virginia.  It felt odd not going to Clarksville.  I think this was the first time in several years that we didn't go there.  We stayed in a hotel for a few days.  The kids enjoyed the pool and the short walk to Sweet Frog, a yogurt shop.  We went to the Virginia Safari Park on our first day.  Quite the adventure!  Lets just say the animals were a little hungry!!!  Gee, they were ravenous!  Here are some pictures:

 

Before hand

This is a common site along the drive-thru

The animals come in front of your car, forcing you to stop.

Then they walk to the side and hope you will roll down your window. 

Here I am feeding the llama.

Wow!  Gigi didn't like this guy.  Please stay away from the car!

Feeding another animal.

A hungry llama.  Poor guy...no food for you!

Here's the entrance as we drove out.  The animals are waiting to attack the next car.

What is this picture?  Well, it's llama throw up.  aka.  PUKE!  Yes, the boys were very excited that the car was puked on!  A definite highlight.  Another highlight was when an elk attacked the car.  Yes, putting a 12 in (at least) scratch on the car:(

Hungry pigs

hungry goats

go girl!

another hungry one

go Aedan!

"goat baby goat"

very excited to feed

Aedan the camal

Catherine the kangaroo and her baby, Mercy

Josiah as the baby!

The Serval

The boys were VERY excited to see a Serval, which they have learned about on Wild Kratts.

one more shot

pretty tigers

Mercy Cate

a kangaroo

Gigi feeding the animals.

Things we learned from the Virginia Safari Park:

~Don't drive a car through the park that you actually care about.  It might be attacked, scratched, or puked on.

~Don't make an elk angry.

~Blowing your horn is not a method to call for help, even though it says to in the instructions given at the gate.

~The poor pigs get nothing.

~Children aren't strong enough to hold a bucket when three deer come at once to eat from it.

~The animals will not move if you just keep driving.

~Stay away from the ones with the big horns.  If one is in the road, it is best to just turn around and not go through.  hahahaha!