Autumn!

Autumn has arrived in New England! It’s like Mother Nature sent out a memo or something, because as soon as Labor Day weekend ended, our air turned cool and crisp. It’s fine by me, though. We had a great summer, and I love autumn and the changing of the seasons. It was something that I really missed when we lived in San Diego. The crisp air, the smell of burning leaves, trading in my sundresses and flip-flops for sweaters and boots, college football (Go State!!)…I can’t get enough. We’ve had a lovely season so far, and really took advantage of local treats this past weekend.

We spent Saturday down at Misquamicut Beach. The afternoon was spent at our friends’ house, where we grilled burgers while Jack and his cousins played in the sand. Now that Jack is over his sand phobia, he has a great time playing on the beach. It was a little chilly, but still nice to spend some time with the Atlantic Ocean while we can! Once evening hit, we trekked over to the state beach where the Misquamicut Fall Festival was taking place. It was a pretty cool event with tons of carnie rides and a petting zoo. The little ones definitely enjoyed themselves!

Sunday was another beautiful New England day spent with Jack and his cousins. This time we ventured out to Buttonwoods Farm in Connecticut where they had created a corn maze. We had a really great time! Not only did Jack’s cousin Kody successfully lead us through the corn maze, but the kids were able to go on a hayride through a pumpkin patch, take a ride on a cow train (yep, a cow train…photos below!), play in a ginormous sandbox filled with corn kernels (a cornbox?), have a rubber duckie race, and see some cutie patootie baby pigs and chickens.

Farewell Summer

Before I begin posting about our already busy (but fun!) fall, I want to back up a bit to remember what a wonderful August we had. The month began with another visit from my parents. I've lived away from Michigan for 8 years now, and I can promise you that they never visited this often...I think Jack may have something to do with it... Anyway, we had a great time as usual. Not only were they able to enjoy the Atlantic coast, Wilcox Park, Pachaug Pond and everything summertime Rhode Island has to offer, they were able to celebrate Marc's grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary with us. What a milestone!

Me and my mom

My parents

Jack's beautiful grandmas (and crazy cousin!)

Brother & Sister

The Happy Couple

Jack and I drove back to Michigan with my parents for a little vacation of our own (Marc flew out and met us there a few days later). Jack did great on the long car ride yet again, the kid is a serious trooper! We had SO MUCH FUN in Michigan!! We visited the Detroit Zoo with my college friend Andrea and her little one, had a delicious lunch with Great-Grandma Lenore at Alan's restaurant, went boating with Daddy and Grandpa Carl on Union Lake, checked out the Woodward Dream Cruise, perused my favorite childhood toy store, spent an afternoon with Grandma Carol at the West Bloomfield Library (way cooler than it sounds), played in the sand at Westacres Beach...it was all so much fun! I love being able to revisit so many of my childhood favorites with a child of my own. It's nice to see that the magic is still there. I was also able to visit with some of my oldest and dearest friends while back in the mitten. I can't wait to go back for our next Michigan adventure this November!

Jack makes a new friend at the WBT Library

More library fun!

Shopping at the Toy Soldier Shop & Doll Hospital

Patty-cake with Great-Grandma

Woodward Dream Cruise with Daddy

Toes in the sand at Westacres Beach

Detroit Zoo with Mommy

Baby Butts!

The Detroit Zoo

Teaching Grandpa how to captain a boat

Back to the Summer

Does that even make sense? I don’t know, but I couldn’t let the second half of the summer escape without at least one blog post. We kept pretty busy this August, but I think the best thing that we did was celebrate Jack’s first year with loved ones. Our first celebration was on August 20^th with our Michigan friends and family. The party was held at one of my favorite childhood places, Marshbank Park. The weather wasn’t perfect, but the rain held out for most of the day and nearly everyone was gone before the monsoon/thunderstorm arrived. Those of us that were left under the pavilion sure had an exciting time… thank you Brian Siriani for your secret stash of Oberon to keep everyone happy! Jack had a great time at his party, and it was truly wonderful to get together with old friends, many of them with children of their own. I can’t believe how long we’ve all been friends…it’s hard to believe that us kids from junior high and beyond are now parents of tons of adorable little children!

Pavilion pre-party (and pre-rain)

Our very own playground for the day!

The Birthday Boy :)

Jack opens his first gift

YUM!

Brian's fake moustache does not look nearly fake enough.

The Corbys brave the storm with a tablecloth raincoat and a smile!

Jack couldn’t just have one party for his 1^st birthday, of course, so we had a huge blowout (planned by Marc) once we got back to Rhode Island. The afternoon started out with a nice, quiet party for family and friends, and turned into a serious bash later that day. There was a band playing an amazing array of cover jams, a Del’s Lemonade stand (those of you in Rhode Island know how awesome that is…I think people were more impressed with the Del’s than the band!), and a Disneyworld-worthy fireworks display. Jack had so much fun with all of his Rhode Island peeps that he was asleep by 8:30, despite the rock band playing in his backyard. He may have missed the fireworks, but he’ll have 1^st birthday party stories to share with his friends for the rest of his life.

QT with Auntie!

Because you can never have too many cute birthday cakes...

Blowing out the candles with Daddy & Mommy

Digging in!

Party Scene #1

Party scene #2...note the neighbor's hurricane-ravaged trampoline in the background!