Old Louisville

On a lovely fall day some friends and I walked around old Louisville. They have beautiful tree lined streets and historic homes. I loved all the little side neighborhoods where front porches opened right up to sidewalk gardens. 

My favorite house.  I love the windows. I can just pictures myself doing something Jane Austin-y. 

Lela stopping to smell the roses. 

osage orange tree. 

osage oranges. I have never seen that fruit before and it smelled so good. 

This is in Central Park. The Louisville park system was designed by Frederick G. Olmsted and sons. He also designed the famed NYC central park and the Chicago World's Fair (for all you who have read the Devil in the White City!)

Stuart loved this tunnel slide. 

The 'barbie' house. 

Pumpkin Walk

We went to this amazing pumpkin walk through the park. It has over 5,000 carved pumpkins carved in every way imaginable. They had several different themes each with their own music. It has always been one of my dreams to see thousands of pumpkins all aglow. I can now check this off my bucket list. I wish we could have seen these with the grandparents-they would have appreciated the artistic talent. Proceeds from this event went to the children's hospital. 

With camera flash

Without flash

There were so many intricately carved pumpkins. Fabulous! 

Thula said the kids at school say she has the hair of Medusa. 

With flash, Thula really liked these pumpkins. 

An apple a day

I was cleaning house and when I emerged from the abyss to check on the kids this is what I found...chillin' with an apple. 

This girl totally digs this little boy! He loves his greek yogurt. 

Community Festival

Lela loved her pony ride.

Sitting inside a helicopter. It ended up being more fun than she thought it would be. :-)

Lela loved her bounce houses. There were four of them and she bounced in them to her hearts content. She tried helping Stuart bounce in one, but he kept getting knocked over and didn't like it. 

There she goes. 

Enjoying corn dogs and cheese fries. I love October in Kentucky. It's summer weather without the humidity. I think it was 85 degrees that day. Thula didn't come with us because she was at a pumpkin patch in Indiana with a friend. We missed her but she brought me back so many beautiful gourds. The house looks beautiful for fall. 

Afternoon at the Zoo

Little Stuart riding the carousel for the first time. I couldn't get him to look at me or smile. He was a little nervous and not sure what to make of it. 

Already a pro at this!

The zoo was Halloween ready and had all kinds of fun decorations up. 

We were lucky to see the elephants going through their 'check-up.' Their trainers have them do a series of movements to make sure the animals are healthy. It was so cute. They acted like circus elephants. 

Candyland at the zoo

Riding the komodo dragon with friend, Lincoln W.

At the end of the trip we rode the train. It was our first time and it was so fun for the kids. Stuart was all smiles and curious. He got wide eyed through the tunnels. It is so fun to see the world for the 'first time' through his eyes. 

Lela was happy to ride the train. 

He was a barefoot boy at the zoo. I'm pretty sure he threw his new shoes into the trash. He loves playing in the garbage and because I can't find his shoes I'm wondering if that's what happened. I have since replaced them (second hand of course! )