Big day

After a housecleaning marathon, we decided to get out of the house and go bowling, one of our new favorite past-times after Josh's birthday party. With the help of the bumpers pulled up, Josh and Molly scored higher than an adult (who brought her own shoes and ball) in the lane next to us.

Josh's bowling form usually ends up with him falling down from the exertion of his throw.

We could have gotten a snack and gone to the bathroom during the time it took for Molly's ball to reach the pins.

After an afternoon rest, we drove out to a nearby pumpkin patch to join Emily and Randy's church for a hayride, dinner and a bluegrass band.

Josh has lost yet another tooth. It looks like braces are in his future.



Molly and Vivy on the hayride. Today is Vivy's third birthday!

She's a natural!

Accessorizing

This is why Molly still needs guidance getting dressed everyday, much to her chagrin!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

We traveled to Florida last weekend to celebrate my dad's 65th birthday, which meant some of us had to set aside our own collegiate allegiances and embrace Gator Mania for a few days. We began the weekend with orange and blue decorations and an orange and blue cake for Josh and Dad. Josh then went to his first University of Florida football game on Saturday night with Chris, Jon and Dad. Chris said that Josh cheered enthusiastically through the entired 3 1/2 hour game. Score one for Gator brainwashing.

Josh was not happy about being assigned to the kid table. At the low point of his meltdown, he wailed, "I'm so embarrassed!"

We also threw in a few other holidays this weekend, with mom giving the kids Halloween gift bags that felt a little like Christmas.

We also took family pictures with most people wearing Gator shirts. Chris, Amy and I opted out. And on that note, I'd also like to point out that of all of the college football teams represented at this family gathering, only one won their game on Saturday: UNC.

Day at the Museum

We started off a very busy day today with a train ride uptown to attend the opening of a new museum with our friends from Wilmington, Dottie and Lucia. It was a gorgeous day, and the kids enjoyed everything except actually looking at the artwork in the museum.

Lucia and Molly working on etching in the children's art room

Josh pondering his escape from the American contemporary sculpture exhibit

Molly and Wood Bowl

Molly and Giant Worm Sculpture

Molly and Wood Chair

Josh reaches his art-looking limit. I think I had a similar look on my face during a family trip to a lava park in the 1980s.

Kudos to Dottie for taking a rare picture where we're all looking at the camera

We ended our museum visit with a picnic on the museum's patio with Dottie and Lucia.