Fall Broke

This is how we do Fall Break when we don't have any money. Last year my family was out here for Alex's baby blessing and they took us on an awesome trip. This year, we stayed in Ithaca and got to know it a lot better! I am not excited for the snow so I have really been noticing the leaves and the beautiful weather. Sam even said, "I feel like I am cheating on my wife with someone who appreciates nature." Good times.

We have been having lots of problems with our cars recently. We started Fall Break by taking Sam's car into the shop. We had a rental car and my car at that time though so it was okay.

We went to Grisamore Farms to pick apples. We ended up picking 27 pounds of apples! I made delicious caramel apples and Sam loved taking an apple to school or work every day. Alex enjoyed riding around in the wagon and tasting every kind of apple. We noticed he was doing really well eating one apple and after a few minutes, all that was left was the little bit of peel Sam is holding in that picture! Alex ate the core and seeds, too! I love Jonagold apples. They are my new favorite.

We went to a second-hand kids clothing store called Mama Goose. We were hoping to get some snow pants for Alex. He was playing on a toy and fell off faceplanting into the concrete floor. We watched the horn form and it was so black. I felt sick looking at it. By the time we got home that night, he had a much smaller bump and bruise but it definitely started out as a Mama Goose Egg.

 Sam had to do some work in Buffalo so Alex and I tagged along so we could go to Niagara Falls. While driving to Buffalo, we learned that both things Sam had to do canceled. So we went straight to Canada. This was Alex's first time out of the country. We were so happy to show off his passport. This was Alex's second time to Niagara Falls and he loved it this time! He would stand on the edge and point. If we tried to take him away then he would throw a fit. He wanted to stay there and stare. The weather was gorgeous but we got pretty wet and my hair went crazy! On our way home, we stopped at Tim Horton's for a late lunch. My brother-in-law (who is Canadian) referred to it as a blue collar Starbucks but we thought it was delicious and it was much cheaper than Subway for way more food!

Alex was getting much too long for his old carseat so we got him a brand new one. I read the whole manual to learn how to use it and I was so proud of myself that I got to try it out first! Even though I am way over the weight limit. Alex loves being able to look out the window and put his sippy cup in his very own cup holder. He is growing up so fast!

 After church, we walked around Beebe Lake. We have been driving past it for over a year but had never stopped to see the waterfalls! It was so pretty and a beautiful Sunday.

I had to get my blood drawn. My veins were playing hide-and-seek and although they were doing a stellar job at hiding, the lady was not very good at seeking. She ended up drawing the blood from my wrist and it bruised pretty badly. Alex loved the sticker she gave him though!

We had been to Taughannock Falls a few times but we had always seen the fall from the overlook and never walked to it. This time we went on the walk and it was beautiful. Sam and I had a little argument about what is a tractor and what is a crane but I know that I am right. Alex was asleep during the whole walk and when we got to the waterfall, I thought I heard him talking so I walked around to the front of the stroller. He was peeking out from under the blanket and was pointing at the waterfall. It was so cute.

Last year, we went to Eddydale's and Sam was able to carry five pumpkins so we tried it again. This time we got even bigger pumpkins! It was awesome and they made wonderful decorations throughout October.

Ithaca Falls is our favorite. It is so close to our apartment and it is beautiful. There is hardly ever anyone there so we are able to sit and play with rocks and watch the water. We need to go there more often.

Alex and I rode the bus to campus so we could go to the Chimes Concert in the bell tower. They do the concert three times a day and it is free. It was so fun to watch the girl play the bells and we were even allowed to request songs! Campus is so beautiful all year but I especially love it in the fall. We went into an amazing library and Alex read the Dictionary. He is so smart. On the bus ride home, Alex fell asleep so fast. I didn't expect him to fall asleep, I just noticed he was sitting very still. It was cute!