Bay's Mountain with friends

On one of Ivy's days off from school a couple weeks ago, Mom's Club took a morning and went to Bay's Mountain near our house. So fun to do things like this with friends! Ivy had a blast hanging with the older kids of the group (all boys. hehe) and Marshall was happy to tag along by mom. :) I took my camera and was able to get some fun shots of some of our friends...

Touching a snake!

VDOT Touch a Truck!

Marshall and I went one morning with the Mom's Club to see the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) utility vehicles, just a few minutes north of us. This was SUCH a fun event and SO perfect for Marshall, along with every other toddler who came with. They thought touching the tractors and trucks and getting in them was the greatest thing. This was specifically tailored for us to come visit but I've heard of other Department of Transportations doing similar events for schools and what not. If any of you readers (if I even have any! ha!) have a chance to go to one, or hear of one nearby, GO! I even learned a lot from the workers about what each vehicle does. And they did demonstrations of different vehicles, as well! It was super cool! The workers were all SO nice and very helpful with the kids. Thanks VDOT!!

Hot dog lunch in their huge garage, and then just had to snap a pic of Gavin climbing into my car with Marshall. Those two are trouble. They look too comfortable:

Folk Art Festival in Kingsport

The last weekend in September, we went with some close friends to a Folk Art festival in town. It was held at a historical type site called the Exchange Place just a few minutes from us and it was sort of a farmer's market type festival along with music, animals, and some demonstrations of settlers, etc. It was such a fun morning! There was so much to see and do! People were all around-- Stirring kettle corn, making honey, making popsicle stick/fabric dolls, top spinning (with tiny gourds!), chopping wood, animal furs, trying out some candied fruit, and tadpole/fish catching! It was a packed morning. Such a cute place too! Great time with good friends!! Thanks for inviting us, Joel and sarah! 

Marshall thought this sheep was awesome. He also loved the cow, horses, ducks, you name it, he was there watching. ha:

I love that these two stinkers are starting to really love each other. hehe:

Kayaking

One day in September, we decided to borrow our friend Joel's kayak and take Uncle Dan's kayak (that he left in our garage, hehe) and float down one of the rivers nearby. Kids thought it was a great idea so we went for it! Really, it was such a great day. Occasionally we'd have to swap kids to keep them entertained but we were sure to pack some snacks and jackets and they stayed happy! Some rapids here and there made it more exciting. Towards the end, we saw a train cross a bridge overhead! Marshall was especially in heaven. lol!

The train:

We parked Sam's car at the end, then he drove it back to get our Acura to load up the kayaks. Kids were great sports: