Rockford Harvest Festival

 we're going on a hayride!

 the weather couldn't have been more beautiful for a harvest celebration

 pretty horses

 my baby--who doesn't look so much like a baby anymore

 my sweet sister, her honey & Hazel

 what are the chances of getting 3 sets of eyes?

p.s.: Happy Birthday, Aunt Gayle!

Schaeffer Jo and I ventured to Grand Rapids for the day--with the intention of walking in a fundraiser for HIS (health intervention services) in the morning, heading to Art Prize for a few hours in the afternoon, and then capping off our day by celebrating Aunt Gayle's birthday at Red Lobster. 

Well, our day pretty much imploded before it began, when we woke to 30 (ish) degree weather. We still haven't unearthed the boxes that contain winter clothing, so gathering enough layers for SJ was quite the feat. Once she was adequately layered to ward off even the abominable snowman, off we went for the 'big' city--already a few hours behind. 

We made it to the walk by noon (not 9:30 as we'd hoped), just as everything was wrapping up. We walked around town, delighted to find that Rockford was hosting a Harvest Festival. It was great fun taking the kids on a hayride, popping into shops, and enjoying the frigid crisp fall weather. 

All in all, we had a really great day, it was wonderful to celebrate Aunt Gayle's birthday (even if we arrived to her party also late). I'm so thankful that we live close enough to family that we can just hop in the car and spend the day together.