Fall Is Here!

1 Year, 25 weeks.

Ahh...the welcomed change in season!  And not a moment too soon!  After many, many months of sweltering, unadulterated, record high heat, we are just now seeing and feeling the cooler temperatures from the north, and reminds us of the wonderful reason of why we live here in Florida at this time of the year.   You can just feel the change in weather.  The constant breezes.  The crisp mornings.  The gorgeous evenings.  The absence of humidity.  The changing colors of the trees.  Well, maybe not that.  This is Florida, after all.  But you get the picture.

I don't think they like this style of kid shopping cart without the steering wheels.  C'mon Target, get with the program!

Waiting at the park bench for big sister to get dismissed from school.

Braelyn tickles Maddy when they get home. 

So what a great way to celebrate the coming of our first cooler weather weekend than by doing something outdoors!  For dinner!  With the family!  Last Friday evening we drove down the road to downtown Ocoee, where, for the first time, the Food Truck Pod of Orlando converged to provide meals to adventurous eaters such as ourselves.  We had always wanted to try eating at the Food Truck events, but they were always on the opposite side of town or happening at the time when we would be putting the kids down for bed, so this was a great opportunity to catch them locally.  And again, fueled by my interest to try something different, because c'mon, who really looks to get food cooked...in a truck?

They had an inflatable movie screen for later on that evening.

Braelyn was so excited and loved jumping in the bouncy houses.

Apparently there were a lot of people that shared my sentiment, and they showed up in droves.  And who wouldn't, with the promise of great food and even greater weather?  There were 9 trucks in total, each showcasing different cuisine and menu items, and you could tell which trucks were the most popular by the length of the lines of people waiting to order.  That would be the Korean BBQ Taco truck, which Tangie had heard made some great dishes.  So she got in line with Maddy while I took Brae and Kohl and wandered down to see what else the other trucks had in store.  The last truck didn't have the longest line but it did have some interesting menu items so I got in to save my place.  After waiting for only 15 minutes I got an assortment of dishes:  japanese sticky rice [literally] in an avocado (a new take on the sushi roll, absolutely delicious and one of our favorites, which I tried to replicate for dinner this past week), fried baby artichoke fritters, and chicken skewers with pumpkin seeds.  Just an array of distinguishing flavors, I was stoked to try them all.  Tangie waited a total of 30 minutes in line at the Korean truck, and when she was just 5 people away from making her order, they announced that they had run out of food and only had the pork ribs left.  Bummer.  She was heartbroken.  But more frustrated than sad.  "Somebody should've done a better job on inventory!  What's with that?"  That's a CPA for you!

Last in line to wait 30 minutes for nothing.

Don't have tables?  Try an ironing board!

Sabbath brought us to church, where Braelyn had to wear her Adventurer's uniform, on the first Sabbath of each month.  Pretty soon she'll be helping with offering during the services!  We had to sign in so they could keep track on attendance and participation, including an induction service for them which would happen on Wednesday.  Wow, this is a little more extensive than I thought!  Anyway, the twins enjoyed Sabbath School and then it was back home for naps.  Like I said, the weather was just fantastic so Braelyn and I decided to take advantage for the first time since Spring to take our naps on the hammock under the pergola.  Afterwards we met the Bergherms, Cochrans, Deiningers, and Holloways at Chapin Station Park for kids' play and dinner, and then an impromptu campfire and s'mores back at our place with the same group.  Anything to stay outside and take advantage of the weather!

Wearing her Adventurer's uniform.  Very sharp!

Kohl just finished putting up some felts when he felt the steely cool eyes of Maddox behind him.

Real life neighbors Maddy and Gabriella Ottati just chilling out & catching up.

Gotta love the fall weather!

Getting some energy out!

Time to eat!  We got food from our favorite authentic Mexican hole in the wall, Tequila Sunrise.  No, seriously, that's the name!

"Mommy, don't forget about me down here!"  Maddy is ready to eat!

Early, and I mean early, Sunday morning I hopped out of bed to go mow the lawn.  I wanted to start earlier since without the humidity there was no dew on the grass yet it was still cool outside.  Poor neighbors!  So while the children were stirring and Tangie was just about to start her day, I set to work on my 3 hour yard project.  And it was nice to get finished early too, without hardly breaking a sweat!  After I was done the kids came outside to play while Mommy showered and got ready for the day.  We took a short trip to Winter Garden and got lunch from our local French restaurant and bakery, Sweet Traditions.  They have a huge assortment of baked goodies plus some great sandwiches and light dishes.  The staff and customers enjoyed watching the children explore about, especially the twins.  After naps we started putting up some fall/PumpkinFEST decorations and then made a quick trip to Old Time Pottery for some knick knacks we needed around the house, and then it was suppertime.  Another low key Sunday, but very much needed.

Lil' frogger.

Enjoying the hammock swing out back.

The girls in downtown Winter Garden.  Glorious day ~ not a cloud in the sky!

Bakery at Sweet Traditions.

The children wait while our lunch was being made.

Kohl was ready to help with the fall decorations!

On Monday I went to the...[gasp!]...mall.  But there's a very good explanation, I promise.  Ever since I left my previous company in June I have not had the urge to visit any mall.  In fact, I abhorred the idea and even avoided any opportunity to do so.  Not that I have anything against malls.  Okay, maybe a little.  But after spending the last 14 years of your life surrounded by stores and customers the last thing I needed to do was go back, even for a visit.  That was, until Monday.  And now for the explanation.  Tangie and I needed our watches fixed.  6 of them, actually.  Bad batteries and a messed up second hand.  So I went to Sears at the West Oaks Mall in Ocoee, which has a watch repair department.  Well, the tech said he could have the batteries replaced in fifteen minutes, so I could come back and pick them up.  Okay, fine.  Now, what to do with 3 restless kids at Sears for fifteen minutes?  I struggled with the notion and then finally relented.  Fine, I'll walk the mall.  But, what's this?!?  Low and behold, not 100 feet from the entrance of Sears, there was a play area for kids!  Oh blessed day!  Sure, it was technically "in the mall", but that's as far as I got, so does that even count?  And why do I feel the need to justify it?  But the kids had a blast running, climbing, and sliding around, and it made for some free entertainment until our watches were ready.  Whew!  Dodged that bullet!

This is inside Sears.  See what I mean with the Christmas decor?

Brae wasted no time at all and started playing immediately.

This was a neat play area where the props were made of a cushioney plastic material that was still strong enough to hold climbing children up.  Very sturdy!

Maddy and her famous sideways glance.

Braelyn makes sure Maddy is safe on the slide.

Can we get up there too?

Braelyn shows off homemade popsicles made from apple juice.

She was so excited to have one!

Aww, thanks for sharing!  What a nice big sister!

Make sure to finish your vegetables!

I have decided we need two of everything.  Not because we have the desire or luxury or even the money to do it, but because we have twins that want the same exact thing or toy at the same exact time!  And when do we start learning how to share, anyway?  The twins are really growing fast, and I mean growing, as in heavy!  I wonder if I'm feeding them too much?  They have definitely bulked up over the past month, and my arms burn when I have to lift or carry them for any extended amount of time.  Or maybe I'm the one out of shape?  I'll try and remember to post their current weights next week.  They are now at a very fun stage where curiousity controls all of their attention spans, and both are exploring and communicating and developing at a very alarming rate.  Pretty soon they won't be our babies anymore!  They are just so much fun!

Maddy has a thing for Mommy's shoes, or just shoes in general.  Such a girly girl.

Kohl zonked out during naptime.

And so is little sister, just across the room.

Talking to each other through the window.

That's my girl!  Start 'em young!

Kohl loves going down slides.

Brae enjoys the swings as we wait for Mommy to get home.

Girls turn!

All three on the hammock swing.  Maddy didn't want to stop.

Mommy's home!  She joins in on the fun.

After dinner they toast and "clink" their popsicles.

Maddy and her hard cheese!

Isabella was so happy to see us at the library.

Our little artist Kohlden got a little too carried away.

Braelyn recognizes one of her favorite movies at Best Buy.  We bought some Sesame Street learning videos and Babe, the pig movie.

On our way to Braelyn's Adventurer's induction service.  Maddy props her sunglasses up, just like her Daddy does.

The Little Lambs sit up front.  You can tell Calleigh was so excited to be there!

"Huhtenshun!  Prezent...harmz!

What are we doing again?  They were so cute up front.

Aubree saved the day by sharing stickers for Kohl and Maddy to play with during the induction service.

Here are some funny/strange/random things we find during our drives around town this week:

This house looks like it belongs in Bavaria, not Ocoee.  Love the embelishments, complete with old Roman Centurion on the balcony above the garage!  I wonder how much this would go on the market?  Hmmm...

You know you're in the boonies when you see this sign on the road.

Well...MY doctor plays golf!



A sampling of meals this week:

Mini eggplant parmesan squares.

Chicken ravioli.

Sushi rice with tuna on avocado.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

A couple of conversations with Braelyn:

• We were discussing how Zoe was going to go live with Auntie Esther in Avon Park.

          Brae:  "Mommy, when I was a little girl, I was afraid of Zoe."
          Tangie:  "Yes, you were."
          Brae:  "See?  I remember!"
          Me:  "And how many years ago was that?"
          Brae:  "100!"
          Tangie:  "And how old are you?"
          Brae:  "4 years old."
          Tangie:  "So, how can it be 100 years ago if you're only 4 years old?"
          Brae: "Because...(pauses, thinks)...I was waiting a long time!"

          Well, THAT made sense!

• We were at the parking lot of Publix heading inside for groceries when she noticed the grocer boy coming out to collect the shopping carts.  The young man, whom I assume was in high school, was unfortunately losing a war on acne.

          Brae:  [quiet gasp] "Daddy, he has chicken pox!"
          Me:  "Oh, really?"

          She looks at me dead in the eyes.

          Brae:  [sternly]  "Do NOT say anything!"

          Um...I don't think I'm going to!

• Her friend Evan had accidentally left a cardboard cut-out made to look like an iPad.

          Brae:  "Uh oh.  Somebody left this."
          Me:  "Oh, that's Evan's iPad.  Remind me we need to return it to him."
          Brae:  "What's this called?"
          Me:  "An iPad."
          Brae:  "Is it to protect the eyes?"

          Maybe!  LOL!



Going on an afternoon practice ride.



Have a great weekend!