Spookfest & Weekend with In-Laws (Dublin & Bridgeport OH)

Wow, we are really getting our miles out of little Minnie Mouse this year- when we were at the Disney store and she  daddy & I fell in love with a $50 costume... not including shoes or ears I knew I'd have to make it worth it, I think I've succeeded. As you've seen from photos in prior blogs & some I didn't take she's worn her costume to *Boo at the Zoo, the Worthington Rec Center's Fall Festival, Dublin's Spookfest, and a few times around the house... and Halloween is this week (also a trick or treating at Easton Mall we are considering the day before). I think we've gotten enough miles out of this that it is worth it, heck, as cute as she is- I think it is worth it anyway.

We hit a BIG milestone this week... Amory is potty trained. I'll do a follow up post with my tips and tricks later for anyone who is interested. I am incredibly happy to be done with diapers- but I'm still getting used to the urgent need to RUN to the bathroom anytime she feels an inkling to go. Hehe.

Okay so here are some photos- which I am sure is what you are really wanting. Thursday we went to Dublin Ohio's Spookfest with about 5,000 other children and parents... I didn't get a lot of photos simply because the crowds were insane, but it was a fun time. They had a lot of neat activities to include: haunted trail, maze, bag decorating, pumpkin decorating, dance party and trunk or treat. On Saturday we went to visit my husband's family 2 hours away in St. Clairsville (Bridgeport) Ohio and all of the family came over, too... of course, I only took photos for the pumpkin carving, woops!

Boo at the Zoo (Powell, Ohio)

Boo at the Zoo was such an adventure. Originally we were going to go with my husband's family (they couldn't make it, so we are visiting them next weekend) but instead we went with some friends of ours. My friend April has a 3 year old son named Gabriel (Gabe), and Amory and Gabe really enjoy hanging out. Amory is very big for her age and so they are pretty much the same size... Gabe is a little more advanced with his vocabulary (he can actually sing the whole ABCs), but Amory is catching up quickly... but I digress.

We went to the Zoo Saturday morning after filling up our car tires and grabbing a bite to eat. Ohio kinda sucks and so it was a bit chilly. We bundled up, put a shirt and leggings under Amory's costume and packed the wagon with blankets and snacks. The zoo was decorated adorably, and Amory really loved it. Gabe and Amory both had moments of grouchiness since it was around naptime and Gabe's family ducked out a little early- but the times between were fun.

Check out these pictures which explain it better than I could. 

This is her "cheese" face, I'm hoping it improves 

Gabe and Amory brushing the poor goats 

I bet this is the first time a goat has been brushed by a mouse and a dragon. :)  

Basically, they love each-other 

"squeek squeek" 

Why, hello.  

Getting off of the train. Gabe was such a gentleman. 

My new favorite. You'll probably see this photo 500x 

I love daddy & Amory shots. Looking at otters. 

Cheese! 

Climbing in the "racing" bouncer. NBD but Gabe was 2nd. haha 

 Gabe can bounce higher, Amory was impressed

 She made it all the way through the maze...

then cheated and went over to go back through. 

 Arrgh, Amory is a princess/pirate

 And Frankenstein

 Starburs (spiders in Amory talk)

 "talking to Aunt Taci" 

Apparently she called Zak's Aunt Traci on this fake phone. <3

 Magic mirrors

 Gabe digs it

I told you I'd share this again. Isn't it so adorable? OMG

Next weekend we are going to St. Clairsville Ohio (two hour drive) to see Zak's family (including "aunt Taci"). I think we'll bring our pumpkins with us so they can help carve them. 

In other news, Zak and I are REALLY considering moving to Portland within the next year. We have to figure out financials and technicalities... but we would both love to make it happen. We are debating between staying in Ohio to save money this year or just doing it and making it work. We were also considering moving back to Boise where I grew up, but Portland is probably the better choice in the long run. All we know is that we'd like to move- sooner than later if we can make it happen. 

The Pumpkin Patch (Delaware, Ohio)

On the 6th we went to the pumpkin patch- it was a TON of fun for the WHOLE family... and now I sound like an add for the Leeds Farm. I definitely would go there again if we still live here next year. Check out the photos

It was seriously so much fun. Amory enjoyed everything from the little train, feeding goats, picking out pumpkins and even the tractors. I wish they offered something like this year-round so that we could take her to something this fun every month. It was a bit chilly, but she was a total champ. She now really wants to "carve punkins" even though I'm sure she has no idea what that means.

Last weekend was my little brother's bday and Zak had to work, so nothing really exciting happened, but THIS weekend is Zak's birthday and his family is coming down. We plan on going to Boo At The Zoo for the first time- so that should be SUPER fun. You can have your child go around in their costume, so you might get a little preview of our adorable Minnie before Halloween- lucky you!