Simply . . .Enjoying Fall

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."-   Elizabeth Lawrence

I LOVE everything about the fall . . . the cooler weather, apple cider, gorgeous scenery, craft shows, pumpkin patches, etc.  While we lived in Louisiana we didn't really have a fall so I appreciate it even more now!  I mentioned last week we were taking a week off from Tot School and we've simply been enjoying fall!  Maybe not exactly sitting still and enjoying it because that's impossible with an almost 2 year old!  However, over the last week and a half we've been outside pretty much every day and loving it!  Thought I'd share with you some of the places we've enjoyed going:

1. Homestead Hollow- For those of you who may not know this is a local arts and crafts show in Springville, AL.  It's all outdoors and I love the atmosphere!  We put "Miss Priss" and "Sour Patch" in the wagon and rode them around while we looked at the crafts.  They also got to experience their first horse ride and "Miss Priss" loved it!  Of course they also had some great food like Dinky Donuts!
2. Our fall church picnic at Camp Sumatanga - Our church does this twice a year in Spring and the Fall.  We have a cookout then the kids play at the park, men play horseshoes, older kids volleyball or basketball, and the women sit around the fire and talk :)  It's absolutely beautiful here and SO peaceful!  They also have a lake where we sometimes fish.
3. The Great Pumpkin Patch - This is in Hayden, Alabama.  "Miss Priss" went with her other cousin "Superman" and had a blast!  They jumped on inflatables, went to a petting zoo, rode a "train", rode horses again, and of course picked their pumpkins!
4. Smoky Mountains - This past weekend we also got to go to the Smoky Mountains.  I don't know that there is a prettier place in the fall!  Honestly, I didn't get to do as much relaxing and enjoying the scenery as I would have liked.  My Mom, sister, "Miss Priss" and "Sour Patch" all went without the guys so we mostly shopped at the Tanger Outlets (which was  alot of fun too!).  The kids had a blast at Kids Country riding a train, carousel, and the swings.  We also ate at our favorite place there The Apple Barn.

Here's a few pics:



Before we ate at the Apple Barn



Jumping with "Superman"

"Superman" trying to convince "Miss Priss" to slide down the big slide!

Picking out our pumpkin at The Great Pumpkin Patch

Riding the Carousel at Kids' Country

    Hopefully this week we're going to get back to some Tot School and learning about pumpkins!  We still have another Pumpkin Patch to visit and a couple of hayride/bonfires with friends I'm really looking forward to!  I hope you are enjoying fall as much as we are!!  Do you have any favorite fall traditions or places to visit?  I'd love to hear about them!