Caramel Apples

To bring in the cooler weather of November and kill time waiting for baby Owen to arrive we decided to make Caramel Apples. I don't ever remember making these growing up, most likely because they are gooey, messy and take a bit of time, but boy do they taste awesome.

Our flavor choice = Caramel/Chocolate/M&M

Step 1. Keep Ava from eating all the caramels as she unwraps them

Step 2. Carefully coat the apple with caramel

Step 3. Cool in the refrigerator then coat with a layer of chocolate

Step 4. Have a quick taste test

Step 5. Sprinkle with smashed M&M bits

Halloween Fun

This year Halloween was so much fun even though I was very, very pregnant! We did a lot compared to past years. I love that Ava let me sew her a GHOST costume, and didn't decide to go as a princess/fairy. . .

1.Classic pumpkin carving

2. Ghost Buster Party with the Meekers

3. Sugar Cookies

4. Trunk or Treat

Baby Shower for Owen

My friends Sheri and Cindy threw me a sweet baby shower on October 15, 2011. It's so nice to have people who support and want to help you. They did a terrific job! The food was amazing and the Owen was showered with great gifts. Looking back now I see just how huge I had grown during my last 3 weeks of pregnancy!

Ava had a blast at Owens "birthday party" at least that's what she called it.

Pumpkin Patch 2011

We visited our local pumpkin patch again this year, which is a lot more fun but also more expensive then just picking one up at the grocery store. There ended up being 2 separate trips since the first one ended in a rain storm. The second was sunny with a chill but Ava was able to play and have her face painted.

First School Concert

Ava participated in her first pre school Fall Concert. It was really only a 6+ minute sing along but still super cute. Her class (holding leaves) performed with the older kids (wearing scarecrow hats) in singing a few songs which talked about the harvest and giving thanks for all we have, which was appropriate for the day since we were celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving later that afternoon. I'm proud of Ava and the way she sang out. She did make a few funny mouth gestures which made us laugh. She loves being in school and doing things away from mom and dad. I think it gives her a sense of independence, and I love the great teachers that let her explore at her own pace.

Harlech, Wales

For the first weekend in October we decided to take a last minute trip before I give birth. We chose Harlec, Wales. Dave found a amazing vacation rental that was sweet and charming. The weekend weather couldn't have been any better, with highs of 83 F. We toured the local castle, which could be seen from our bedroom window and spent a day at the beach. We delighted in the locally made ice cream (more than once) and walked the gardens of Portmeirion. Ava loved being on "vacation" and thought that having her own room with 2 twin size beds (one for her and one for her animals) was the best thing ever! We brought our own food and tried to just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Wales is so beautiful with tons of variety: mountains, grassy hills, sandy beaches, wildlife, and tiny villages. I would love to go back and see more someday.

Standing in the backyard of our rental house, with the castle in the background

Taking it easy on the castle grounds

Yummy Ice Cream Shop

Owen at the beach in Wales

The beginning of a Super Sand Castle

Ava wrote her name in the sand

and found some interesting things on the beach

The water was really cold but Dave got all the way in a few times, Ava ran until Dave grabbed her, throwing her over his shoulder every time a wave came.

The gardens of Portmeirion

A real life "money" tree. Coins were hammered into multiple tree stumps. . . WIERD

35 weeks pregnant