Rocky Acre Farm - Part 2

The fun continued on the farm as the days went on.  Here are all of the kids (including one big "kid" in the white sweatshirt):

Here Papa was pulling Evan, Eric and a stranger in a wagon:

Probably the highlight for the boys is their time spent with the farm cats and kittens.   They are obsessed!  If only their dad wasn't allergic, I'm pretty sure we would have come home with one:

This is the kitten's house.  It is tiny and I found Eric had crawled in there.  Gross!

There is also a big playhouse for the kids.  They would go in there, close the doors and trap their "children" inside there.  Evan would rock in the rocking chair and they would put the kitten in the cradle:

The boys "play children":

Eric with his favorite kitten:

 Onto feeding the pony and goats the leftover breakfast food (waffles and pancakes):

Love this photo of Eric walking up the farm road:

Evan may end up being a vet as an adult.  He loves his animals and has no fear.  Here he is giving Cupcake a kiss:

We also went into Amish Lancaster and took a horse & buggy ride.  Here we are in our buggy:

On our final morning, the farmer let Evan drive the tractor.  Look at the color of that sky.  Gorgeous!

And we spent the morning hanging out on the swing before having to head home:

We played a game "Raise your hand if you love . . . ".  This one might have been "Raise your hand if you love Derek Jeter":

And onto our last "ride" of the day, the ATV ride through the woods.  Evan driving as usual:

I've said it before but this place is the best.  We will hopefully be going back again next year!

Rocky Acre Farm - Part 1

Rocky Acre Farm Bed & Breakfast is an amazing place to spend a few days and get away from every-day life and back to the simple life.  We went last year as well and the kids could not wait to go back this year.  This year, Nana & Papa joined us. We arrived on Sunday afternoon and headed straight for the creek since the 80 degree weather was only going to be with us for that day.  Evan and Brian went out in the kayak:

The boys had their bathing suits on and we all had our water shoes on to go hiking through the shallow waters.  A very rare family photo:

The tire swing - one of my favorite scenes to take photos of.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get my shutter speed set right and most of them turned out pretty blurry.  But I got a few good ones.

Evan by himself - probably my favorite one of Evan all weekend.  I love this natural smile and laughter:

He liked it to spin really fast:

On our way back from the creek, we stopped to feed some goats:

Eric enjoying the farm:

After a good night's sleep, we got up bright and early and walked over to feed the baby cows.  Eric got a ride on Brian's shoulders on our walk over.  The scenery here is just incredible:

Here Brian is feeding two baby cows at once:

Evan loved these baby cows:

After breakfast, Evan was ready to take the crew on the "train" ride.  He was so serious with this face pretending to drive the ATV:

Evan with Papa:

But before the train ride, everyone got a chance to take a ride on Cupcake, the farm pony:

Eric too:

If only this one hadn't turned out slightly blurry:

I have lots more photos to come in another post later this week.  The kids are so happy here it's hard not to keep snapping away with the camera.

Day Out with Thomas - 2014

Two years ago, we headed to the Strasburg Railroad for the day out with Thomas event (2012 Trip).  Now that Eric is 2 years old and loves himself some Thomas, we wanted to make a trip back.  Both boys were were excited to see Thomas (though you can't quite tell from this picture).  Eric kept wanting to look over his shoulder to see Thomas:

And for the first time this year, Percy came to visit as well:

Eric waving in awe as Thomas drives by:

There goes Thomas:

And now riding on a miniature Thomas:

And climbing inside a Thomas made of legos:

Onto riding the old steam train:

Waving out the window:

Evan looks to be thinking seriously here:

Nana & Papa joined us for the train ride:

Brian and Eric getting ready to pull out of the station:

 The boys enjoying the scenery:

Eric doing some deep thinking now:

Evan is mostly out of the Thomas phase and it makes me sad to think that our Thomas days are numbered.  But this was certainly a fun day for both boys and for the adults as well!

Soccer Starts

Evan had his first ever soccer game on September 6, 2014.  He was so excited to play:

When he first got there, he wasn't too sure and stayed off the field.  But eventually he warmed up and got in there to play:

This mom was so proud that Evan chose to wear #2 after Derek Jeter:

Listening intently to the coach:

Evan has continued to enjoy himself the last few weeks and really is trying hard out there.  It's been nice to watch him out there having fun!

First Dentist Visit

The boys had their first visit to the dentist on Wednesday, 9/17.  I was expecting some fear and tears from Evan but he did so great.  It is a pediatric practice so there was a movie playing and sunglasses to block the bright lights:

Eric followed right in his big brother's lead:

Mr. Cool in the dentist chair:

Glad that we crossed this one off of the list and we should have no fear about going back in the future.

Apple Picking 2014

We headed to Highland Orchards for our annual apple picking trip this past weekend:

 

Evan picking:

Eric's turn:

Pausing for a moment from picking:

And back to the picking:

Eric showing off his apple:

Being silly:

We ended up picking the wrong size (too-big) bag and now we have enough apples to feed a small army.  I will be attempting to make apple crisp for the first time ever this weekend.  Wish me luck!