Grandview Drive 2008, Part Two

Here are the pictures from our second day up at Grandview Drive.

Grand View Drive 2008

Yesterday afternoon, we took the kids up to Grandview Drive here in Peoria to take some fall pictures on our own. Grandview Drive is home to some of the biggest homes ever seen and even has a castle with a moat, but most importantly, has the most beautiful views of the bluffs around the Illinois river. Here are some of the best pictures we took. We're actually going back up there again today to take more with Bret's brother and family.

Finding My Way Out

(Picture found on internet.)

So I've hit that rut that I new would be coming. I'm bored with the cardio machines at the gym and can't do the classes since I have to be at school in the late morning. I need to change it up so that I don't give it up. I would love to start running, as my friend Em has started doing, but the fear of dropping dead within 2 minutes flat keeps me from attempting it.



The Rock Island Trail is not far from my house, but I've feared walking it alone because it can get pretty isolated. The trail is gorgeous right now with the trees beginning to change. So, this morning I hauled my neighbor out of her house and dragged her there with me for a half hour long hike and it was exactly what I needed to find my way out of this cardio machine rut I've found myself in. I'll be going again tomorrow morning. Might as well take advantage of this fall weather while I can.

A Day At The Apple Farm

We took advantage of a free Sunday and went to Tanners Orchard for a fun filled day of picking pumpkins and getting lost in corn mazes.

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The kids riding on the short bus.

Guess who had the same idea today? Our niece and nephew - however they were leaving as we were just getting there.
Getting ready to brave the first Corn Maze.
The idea was to find all 12 check points - we found 6 and called it a day after an hour and a half of being lost and confused. Guess I'm not that great with a map. But hey, that's an hour and a half of exercise!
Safely out of the corn maze, we headed over the the play area to let Ryan do his thing.
He sailed a boat,
flew an airplane,

found his way through the hay bale maze,
and then out ran his father during a good game of chase.
Off to the pumpkin patch next to find the perfect pumpkins.

Pumpkin Patch

We headed out to Apple Blossom Farm today in a last minute frenzy to find some pumpkins since Halloween is in 3 days. Luckily, we found some nice ones and the kids are busy carving away right now.

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The annual picture of the kids in front of the big apple.

Bret and the kids on a hayrack ride.

Me and the kids heading out to find the great big pumpkin. We ended up with 3 average ones.

Me and my little man.

Fall Family Pictures 2007

Earlier this week we got our family together with Bret's brother's family for fall pictures up on Grand View Drive. Bret's brother is amazing when it comes to taking pictures and he did an outstanding job! I am so pleased with the way they turned out...

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Ashley, Bret, Me & Ryan

Cousins: Ryan, Ashley, Brooke & Mitchell

Ashley & Ryan

Ashley & Ryan (Going to need to break out the stain stick after this.)

To see more, go to Flickr.

Yea.... The weather is suppose to cool off this week and I spotted the first trees in town today that have changed color already. This is by far my favorite time of year! Hope my jeans still fit...LoL.

Signs

I broke (trying not to cry) my pretty center piece pumpkin this morning trying to make room on the kitchen table for the newspaper sale guides so we could "Christmas shop". I believe that was a sign - time to put the fall stuff away and break out the Christmas. Whoopee!

Putting Forth My Best Effort

I want all of you to know that I am seriously trying to hold myself back. The leaves are gone from the trees. I'm tired of looking at my fall decorations. My kids have been busy circling all of the toys they want from catalogs that come in the mail. And, oh, all the Christmas stuff in the stores! Is it time to switch over to Christmas yet?

The DownSide Of Fall

I realize it's been awhile since my last post, but I've been busy losing the never ending battle of flyswatting in my house. I guess that's what we get when we built next to a cornfield (a point in which my mother never fails to comment on). I'm sure there will be a post coming up with a picture or two of me and the kids standing on the couch in terror when those cornfields are cut down and the mice come scurrying our way.

My Favorite Thing About Fall

. . .aside from the changing leaves is curling up in my chair and napping by the warm and cozy fireplace on a cold day. Like today.

Welcome Back Jack!

I talked to my favorite grandma today and she gave me the go ahead to haul all of my fall stuff out from the basement and decorate until my heart is content. It's funny because every year at this time (I know, long term memory loss!) I seem to call her and ask if it's okay yet. I also ask her the same thing BEFORE Thanksgiving about my Christmas stuff and always hear "not yet" and then do it anyway. She then laughs because I'm hauling it all back downstairs the day after Christmas because I'm sick of looking at it. Maybe this will be the year I listen.

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Welcome back Jack. The year went by fast didn't it? I know, not so fast for you when you're stuck in a rubbermaid tub for a year. (Okay, I'm talking to a scarecrow now. Time to find a hobby or some kids during the day.)

Ready For Fall

Ryan and I spent this afternoon at Tanner's Orchard. After seeing all the "pretties" in their store, I am very ready for fall. Is it too early to start putting out my fall stuff yet?

Ryan running through the hay maze. (Yes, he had to pee.)

Ryan, the school bus driver.

Ryan, the mini golf player. Yes, his form is all wrong - we've tried our best.

Ryan, the fire truck driver.

Ryan, the rock wall climber.

Ryan, the lama and goat feeder. He was really scared of this one. Shh, don't tell his buddies.

This one was more to his liking.

Ryan, the train conductor.

Sliding through the tunnel of the train.

We had a good time today - even though Bret and Ashley are still up in Chicago at my mom's house. They decided to stay another day. (I think Ashley might have done a little begging and Bret found some fixits around the house to work on).

Head on over to Flickr for more.