Autumn Adventures

We just had the most beautiful fall - ever.  The colors of orange, red and yellow on the treetops and drifting to the ground were just gorgeous!  And the temperatures were unbelievable - we had some days in the 60s in November (pretty much unheard of for Michigan this time of year).  Usually in the fall we would be busy raking, raking and raking...but at our new home we don't have any trees!  Scotty and I found ourselves with more time on our hands and we enjoyed some fall family adventures, and the kids and I were able to be outside more often during the school week.

Petting zoo at a local Expo.

Amber sportin' her pouty lower lip.

Enjoying the big bunny!

Enjoying the great outdoors before...

...going in to get ice cream at a creamery, yum!

It was *just* warm enough to dip feet in the lake after ice cream.

The fall view from our backyard...

...Taking a ride in a "mule" around our backyard neighbor's land.

Saw inside the barn that we see from our backyard.

Enjoying playing in a pile of leaves from our next door neighbor.
(Doesn't quite compare to the leaf piles from our last house). ;-)

Here's an "obstacle course" Micah set up on one of our last warm days:

Grand Rapids Children's Marathon

Over the past couple months Micah has been chipping away at walking/running 25 miles for the Grand Rapids Kids Marathon.  Yesterday he ran the last 1.2 miles with other children that have been working towards the same goal - completing the marathon (26.2 miles total).  What a neat event!  We hope to participate again next year, and get our next two kiddos to join in as well.  Here's a video of the start - Scotty and Micah were in the "Ostrich" group, you can just barely spot them off to the right, starting around minute 2:50 if you press this link.

Kids warming up with the Whitecaps mascot.

Amber bundled up to observe the whole shindig. ;-)

Micah lining up in the "runner's chute..."

...with all the other kids (and some parents).

Keeping a steady pace!

Finishing strong!

Scotty actually joined Micah for the race last minute (to help calm
nerves and support him) - I couldn't be more proud of both of them!!

Enjoying food from the local sponsors (such as Culver's ice cream) - yum!

We just happened to see a pretty suh-weet truck on the way out.

Jr. Legislator for a Day!

Micah had the opportunity to be a "Jr. Legislator" for the day at Michigan's Capitol last month.    The invite came from our district's state representative, Tom Hooker, upon being selected by lottery from a summer reading program.  What an incredible, educational and enjoyable day he and I had together!  (I am so thankful for some great friends who pitched in to watch the younger 3 kiddos for nearly 6 hours while we were away in Lansing).  The Michigan State Capitol building is over 130 years old with many "original" or "replica" features - it is quite beautiful and fascinating to walk through it's many rooms, stairwells and hallways.

View of the Capitol from Rep. Hooker's office.

In Rep. Hooker's offic.

Participating in a mock committee meeting.

On the floor of the House of Representatives -
getting sworn in as a Jr. Legislator (for the day).

Me with my Jr. Legislator.

The Senate Floor (real crystal chandeliers).

Looking up the rotunda... 

Looking down the rotunda.

The old courtroom.

The state seal is all over -
here it is on the governor's door handle.

There are 20 of these unique and authentic chandeliers in the Capitol
- sporting the state seal/flag as well.

Micah was able to go back on the House Floor with Rep. Hooker and experience
the opening of a real voting session (pledge, roll call, opening remarks).

The day ended with a pizza party in a library - check out those hefty
volumes of Michigan's laws over the past several decades!

On the steps of the Capitol.

By a replica outside the Capitol.

Labor Day in Nebraska

We drove to Nebraska to spend Labor Day weekend with Scotty's folks (Brad, DD and the twins came too); it was fabulous!  We had many a rest stop for all the little bladders in our carpool,  and I kept trying to remind myself that "the joy is in the journey" but I will admit that I did't always feel happiness well up within me when I heard a "Mommy, I need to go to the bathroom" from the backseat. ;-)  However, the stops were a nice opportunity to discover new areas along I-80 and stretch our legs along the way.  And it truly was a joy to finally arrive in NE and be with family!!  Scott and Lisa usually come out our way to MI, so it was nice to be on their turf in NE and enjoy spending time in their home.  They were super-duper hospitable, spoiled us rotten and overfed us (which we all accepted without any complaints). :-)

1 mile down, several hundred more to go!

Found a field to run around in at one of our rest stops.

Dancing marionettes just outside a bathroom break.

Filling up Mr. Van at a gas station.

Enjoying the nice weather along the way.

Arrived in NE with some daylight to spare.

Checking into our hotel (an hour away from our final destination the next day).

Scotty taking us out for dinner and ice cream.

A new day and a new location - grandma and grandpa's!!

Just chillaxin' and snuggling at the pool.

A new day - a quick visit to Great g'pa & g'ma Aulners, yay!

A trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo...SO cool! (Even though it was hot out.) ;-)

Daddies on stroller duty.

Looking at the new baby elephants.

Enamored by the penguins...

...as big as a penguin!

Spying the sharks above us in the aquatic tunnel.

A turtle taking a closer look at Micah. 

King of the jungle!

A new day and homeward bound (Scotty checking tire pressure and
Amber waiting for clean clothes after her blow-out, ha!)

Scotty found a place to play for a bit along our journey home.

Collecting acorns.

Enjoying the breeze.