Date night!

Josiah and I had a date night in October!  We went to Zaxby's for dinner and then went to pick up a present for Emily's birthday.  He enjoyed the special attention! :)  Josiah opened my car door the entire night and also the doors to the restaurant and stores!

Before our date

Josiah made me a schedule and gave me flowers!

Mercy's 1st haircut

Well, it was actually more of a trim.  I just wanted to even out the back a little.  She did great and stood VERY still!  She didn't want me to cut a lot off.  It looks much better now! :)

Before

After

and a front view

D6

Ryan and I were very fortunate to be able to go to the D6 conference together this year.  Ryan has been twice in the past, but I had never been.  In the past, the conference was in Dallas, but this year they expanded to Louisville.  Ryan and I sat session after session (not skipping anything).  It was a lot to take in, but well worth it!  It does get tiring functioning on eastern time when you have to have a set schedule.  We enjoyed our time together, and eating at different restaurants.  Marks Feed store is a must!  And, we found a dessert place that is so amazing!  I am tempted to drive up there just to get the Dutch Apple Caramel Pie! So yummy!  The Ledbetters watched our kids for us!  They had their own little trip to the aquarium in Pigeon Forge and also to Dollywood!

Mark'd Feed Store
The best BBQ I've ever had!

They had these big 'ol bean bags laying around. haha

Impress: the conference theme!

Here is the amazing dessert place!  It is real close to Southern Seminary.

Dutch Apple pie with cinnamon ice cream

Ryan's dessert

the baby-sitting queen

Mercy had another baby-sitting job in October.  She babysat Hannah's baby while Hannah was camping with her family!  Mercy did a great job!  She LOVES babies!

Busch Gardens

Finally, the Busch Gardens post!  I think I procrastinate this post because I have so many videos, and I know it will be time consuming.  But, I am behind enough, so here goes!  After two rainy days in Newport News, we were all prepared for more rain on Friday.  The weather forecast called for rain off and on all day.  We had decorated ponchos, but never had to use them.  The weather was perfect and with the threat of rain, the crowds were down.  The kids road ride after ride, and some rides they just stayed on for the next ride.  It was so fun!  We saw two shows: Pet Shenanigans and also the Wolf show.  The park was definitely more creeped out for Hallo-scream.  We left just after 6:00 because the common areas of the park were really scary.  Too scary for the kids.  Glad we were in England at 6:00 and were able to escape easily!

The Forest of Fun had some of their favorite rides!

Josiah rode the flying machine.  Last time I rode this (about 10 years ago) I felt soooooo sick!  He was on his own! hahaha

Josiah rode this one!  The Verbolten.  I wished he would've rode the Loch-ness.  I rode the Apollos Chariot and the Loch-ness.  For both rides, I literally walked right up and got on the ride.  It was awesome!

Glad he rode it!  Was a little scray for him, but he did it!

Land of the Dragons ride

Love this one!

and this one!

Aedan, Mercy, and I rode the egg together.  Josiah was running around the big tree house while we rode. 

the fox!

My amazing wolf shot!

The big pumpkin

This one is one of their favorites!  It goes up and down!  And, I love that Mercy is big enough to ride!

The kids also liked this one!  I rode it once with them, but it made me feel a little sicky!  There was another roller coaster in the Elmo area: a Grover coaster.  Aedan wasn't a fan, but Mercy, Josiah, and I rode it four times!  hahaha!  No pics because I had to ride with Mercy for her to ride!  She was just tall enough, and she said it was her favorite ride!

Aedan and I

And now for the numerous videos:

The elephant run ride!  The kids love this one.  Mercy rode, too, but I could only handle riding it once!

Here is Josiah on the coaster:

Land of the Dragons:

A boat ride:

The ladybugs:

Elmo's ride!  The favorite!

The Oscar Ride: