Fun Fall Festivities

October was filled with what have become traditional events - Keeneland, Evan's Orchard, and trick-or-treating. Although we did not get any pictures at Keeneland, Callie continues to enjoy watching the early morning training sessions. And John continues to enjoy the post-Keeneland breakfast at the Coffee Pub. So let's take a look at some of those fine fall memories.


Our journey begins at Evan's Orchard, where every year they appear to add another layer of activities focused on kids. Here John and Callie are sitting in one of the windows of a large straw castle. It was one of many structures built of straw, plastic tubing, or old tires that kids could climb on, over, and around.



Next up we have Callie and Sarah hanging out in what the folks at the orchard have lovingly titled, "The Rat Race." It's an activity where kids race each other in large plastic tubes - just think of a hamster on an exercise wheel. This year Sarah and Callie were able to gain some skills that will allow them to race each other in the years to come.



The afternoon continued with a couple of adventures through the different mazes they have on site, a request from Callie to ride the camel (yes, they do have a camel, and no, we didn't give in to her request), and a nice picnic lunch.



And Callie was quite cooperative with our ongoing efforts to capture her in cute and artistic poses with pumpkins. It's funny to think that three years ago these attempts were met with red-faced screams. Seriously, check out the post from November 2007 titled "Fall is Here". Same child, same orchard, different results.


In the spirit of fall, we made a point of adding some autumnal flair to our front porch. If you can take your eyes off of the magnificent skull t-shirt Callie is wearing you will notice a wonderful display of pumpkins, gourds, and mums that Sarah and Callie arranged earlier that day. And such preparations are important not only for our standing in the neighborhood but also as part of our preparations for the impending visit of the Bowes, Balestracci, and Hannen families. We are crossing our fingers that everything stays alive. And with the possibility of a snowfall tonight, you just never know.


But as anyone with a sweet tooth knows, the real highlight of October comes at the end of the month with a little thing called Halloween. And we are happy to report that this year Callie was both healthy and old enough to be an active participant in the festivities.



The above is only one of many pictures from the Great Pumpkin Photoshoot of October 2010. With the promise of candy in the future, Callie was once again very cooperative. She really enjoyed her costume and impressively wore her hat throughout the entire trick-or-treating extravaganza.


The weather was perfect, and we have a great trick-or-treating neighborhood just blocks away. It was definitely a bit surreal, however, to be trick-or-treating right across the street from Ashland, the historic home of Kentucky's own Henry Clay. Although we brought the stroller, Callie earned her night's haul by walking just about the entire time. She loved seeing all the different kids in costume and was very polite to all of those who gave her candy.


And here is the end result of all of that work. She was so excited to have all of that candy. And the best part for her parents? She had some M&Ms on the way home that night and has not had a piece or even asked for a piece of candy since. It's fantastic. Even better, every night since then John has had a bowl of vanilla ice cream with crushed candy mixed in. Night one, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Night two, Nestle Crunch Bars. Night three, Kit Kats. What will tonight bring?