Leaf Picking

After we went to the Circleville Pumpkin Show on Saturday, we drove another 1/2 hour south to check out Hocking Hills State Park. We've heard so many great things about this place, but we were still a little skeptical of these so called "hills" with Ohio being so flat. But we were pleased to find that yes, indeed, Ohio has a great place to go when we feel like enjoying the great outdoors. We went on a small hike to a waterfall (more like a drip at this time of year) and Annie had fun throwing rocks in the pool at the bottom. On our way out of the park we stopped at a lake because the trees were so gorgeous in color! We told Annie we were going to go "leaf picking." She has always loved leaves (she picks them up and carries them into the van everywhere we go), and she loved it when we went apple picking . . . . so, needless to say, this is now her new favorite activity! Which is fine with me . . . . it's easy AND cheap.

Leah loved the leaves as well . . . . although she was much more interested in eating them! She thought it was fun when we covered her legs with leaves and she would kick and kick to make them all rustle.

Circleville Pumpkin Show

Yesterday we went to Circleville, a little town about 45 minutes south that hosts an annual pumpkin festival (it was their 101st). There were several blocks of vendors, carnival rides, entertainment, and everything you can think of to eat made of pumpkin. We tried pumpkin donuts, fried pumpkin seeds, pumpkin waffles, and pumpkin ice cream. They also boast the world's largest pumpkin pie (although it wasn't as big as I was expecting, but it was made with 44 pounds of sugar). As you can see from the picture below, it is a pretty popular event here.

Ann Arbor

This past weekend we decided to head up to Ann Arbor, Michigan! It was only a 3 hour drive. Not bad at all. We stayed with our friends, Brett and Kim Brown. Brett is in the orthodontic program at University of Michigan. It was so fun to visit and see them again! We wanted to see Michigan during the fall and were hoping the trees would be vibrant with color, but I think we were a little too early due to the warm fall we've been having so far. But Michigan was still beautiful and it was so fun to check it out.

Dexter Cider Mill

The first place the Brown's took us was Dexter Cider Mill. It is the oldest operating cider mill in Michigan. They still make apple cider the same way they did over 120 years ago . . . . and it sure was good!! They also have incredible doughnuts and it was so fun to eat warm doughnuts and drink hot cider outside in the fall weather. YUMM - O!

Jenny's Farm Stand

Then we headed over to Jenny's Farm Stand, a cute little place with a pumpkin patch, hay maze, farm animals, pony rides, etc. Annie would not get near any animals (as usual) but she and Kody sure loved throwing hay all over Dan!

Annie and Leah with Mollie and Kody Brown

Hell, Michigan

Then we went to Hell. That's right, you heard me. Hell, Michigan. I mean, who would want to live in Hell? Not me. It's a small little town and they really like to play up the name. When we drove in, there was a huge motorcycle gang just leaving. I guess bikers like to hang out there.

University of Michigan

Finally, we drove around downtown Ann Arbor and the campus a little bit and decided to get out and walk around the Law Building. It was such a cool old building.

After our fun day of seeing Ann Arbor we all went back to the Brown's house to make dinner and watch a movie. To hear a funny/sad story about what happened at their house that night, click on Brett and Kim Brown's blog and read the post titled, "The Addict." Anyway, it was a great little trip!