Red October

Immediately following the Rams game, we raced over to the baseball stadium to watch the National Championship parade. We weren't the only ones with that idea...there were TONS of people trying to get from the dome to the stadium. We rode the train and had to wait through 2 trains before finally squeezing in.


At the stadium we found this sea of red -


People were lined up and down the streets, literally 10 rows deep...this town LOVES it's baseball... they even sold tickets for inside the stadium.


Our friends arrived VERY early and got us all a great spot!






There was an energy in the air that I can't describe in words. It was truly electric. While waiting for the parade to make its way around to the stadium, we had a fun police officer really working the crowd... She would point to one side of the street and say "WORLD" then point to the other side and say "CHAMPS"...it went on like this up and down the street. She even tried to get us started in a "wave". HaHa...it was so much fun.


It was a LONG wait until we saw those first players.



And then...They came... Tony LaRussa leading it off


Followed by the trophy


Fredbird


The rally squirrel


Then each player followed in a truck, surrounded by their family.

go RAMS go

Ava had a fun football adventure. This was her second game but probably the one we'll count as her "FIRST".

Let's just say that Rams football is not the hot ticket this year.

In fact, I don't think they've won a game this season :( BUT, that doesn't matter to us...we like to go for the experience.

Experiences like Brats outside the dome:



Experiences like being silly, because that's what 3 year olds do!


Experiences like family time...


Unexpected experiences like seeing the WORLD SERIES WINNERS, the St. Louis Cardinals. And, the WORLD SERIES trophy :)
'


But most of all...we went to bring them good luck...THE RAMS WON!!!

Meet the CAT-o-lantern

Meet our jack-o-lantern to be... Nice looking pumpkin, eh?



We had a gorgeous day so we spread out on the back deck (minimizing the mess). Ava helped take the top off... she was surprised at what she found inside.

She's already got her hands dirty and she's not sure what to do next!




BUT, being a good sport, she investigated a little more.



And finally let me finish cleaning out the insides.



In the end, she had what she wanted. A CAT-o-lantern!



To wrap up this fun weekend, we went to a friends house for a Halloween party.

Memphis with Nana

It was time for that "Nana Fix" again so... Ava and I packed up for the weekend and made a bee line for Memphis.

We had a super fun visit. We were able to get in a visit to the ZOO! Ava loves the zoo and really enjoyed spending such a fun day with Nana. The zoo is really nice and it was very friendly. The zookeepers were out talking about the animals and doing some feedings.

Here we are learning more about giraffes...





Ava and Nana were looking for some sleeping animals...





Ava thinking about joining the rhino??




Then we found a really neat little nook to observe the penquins.




We learned a little about wolves and coyotes... they even like pumpkins!





Of course, we can't pass a carousel...By the look on her face I think you can tell that it's totally worth the stop :)




We were able to see a few shows...but I think Ava's favorite part was watching the PANDAS! The panda was in a glass enclosure with a vet, apparently having a little blood drawn. Rumor was that they are trying to add to the panda family... We were at the opposite end in front of some bamboo. When the panda came away from the vet, she came right over to the bamboo where we were and sat down for a snack. We had the most perfect view. The panda sat down and peeled that bamboo like it was a banana. Ava was so excited!


AND... Ava was ready for those pandas. All day she kept saying "When I see the panda I can show him the panda on my shirt"...and she did!


We found a farm set up in the zoo that had a little train, so we went for a ride.


What a lucky girl, she got to ride A LOT of things at the zoo...even Mommy's shoulders :)



This sure was a fun trip, might be hard to top next time!

Apple Pickin' Time

Our family made an annual trip out to Eckert's for some apple picking. We visited the pumpkin patch but already had our pumpkin so we just made some super cute pictures.



It was perfect pickin' for Granny Smith and Fuji apples.



Looking for that perfect apple.


Yes Ma'am, that's a good one!



Getting some help from Daddy and Mommy




Even reaching for the ones way up high :)




The best way to get around at Eckert's is by tractor!


Ava is such a happy girl on the tractor :)



The tractor dropped us off for a photo op in the pumpkin patch.

Still trying to get the BIG one...


Oh well...who needs to pick it up?? Ava will just sit on it!



Not all children of the corn are scary!