Terrys Visit: Akron Zoo and Bauman Orchards

Monday was their last full day so we decided to cram as much fun in as we could. Morgan stayed home from school to play with his cousins and we headed out to the Akron Zoo in the  morning. 

Morgan and Jane doing our traditional penguin shot.

Alice and Pepper are up next.

Alice and Jill give it a try.

Jill was nice enough to take Hazel on the carousal for me. That thing always makes me sick.

The big kids needed their own table at lunch.

Kate didn't mind sitting with us big, boring people.

A quick check of the flamingos.

After the zoo, we came home and let the babies nap. Then we got them up and headed to Bauman Orchards to take a tour of the apple plant and take a hay ride through the orchards. We had another mom from Moms club join us with her kids and Sarah and her dad also. It was a very fun group and we had a fall-tastic time!

While we waited for the rest of the group to show up we let the kids loose in the haybale maze. The kids had a blast trying to figure it out and then do it over and over and over again.

Pepper and Alice making it to the end and the slide. Pepper gave herself a marker makeover earlier, in case you were wondering.

Jill and Kevin got stuck.

Next up was a tour of the little plant to see how they process the apples and make cider. 

Putting the cider into jugs.

After the tour, the kids got goodie bags and little juice cups. The grown ups also got some juice and Morgan took it upon himself to guzzle down mine and his. So sweet of him.

We all agreed Katie got the best apple orchard outfit award.

Hazel just taking it all in.

Can anyone find Alice in this picture?

Jane and Alice showing off their apple choices.

Morgan and his killer sideburns.

My crew enjoying our fall fun.

Quick, everyone take a bite!

I really love where we live!

The kids got crazy dirty in this rock box but had a blast doing it.

Jane asked me to take her picture on the rope swing. She cracks me up and has such a great smile!

By the end of Monday we were totally exhausted once again but in such a great way. All the older girls slept in Pepper's room and did a fantastic job. For having all the little kids, babies and people crammed into 4 bedrooms we all slept great.
Tuesday morning, we all got up bright and early. I needed to get my kids ready to go to school and Jill and them were getting ready for the airport. While everyone else was running around Alice, Jane and Pepper were trying to put on a show for us. Pepper was not too happy when I had to pull her away to take her to school and to say good-bye.

I love Alice's hair and Jane's smile in this picture.

This is not the best quality picture but it captures perfectly Pepper's hair flipping obsession! I have no idea where she got this from but she does it constantly. People are CONSTANTLY complimenting her on her hair so I have no doubt that that has something to do with it. At any rate it is quite funny and annoying at the same time so I'm glad I was able to capture this moment in time.

We had such a wonderful weekend together and I am so glad that Jill, Kevin and the girls made the trip up. It is hard to be so far away from each other but it is at least easier when everyone is willing to travel to see each other and stay connected.