Best. Fall. Day. Ever.

Today was a day, start to finish, for the record books!  It was one of the best days I've had in a long time, and lately, there have been some good ones.  We got a major break in our gross weather and finally had a semi-warm, semi-sunny day.  So, we took advantage of it, knowing it could all end tomorrow and went straight to the apple orchard to create a memory with Ava and start a new fall tradition.  I'm just warning you now, this is going to be loooooong.  However, I do think I scored some of the best pictures we've ever taken, so hopefully it's worth it!  Well, it's definitely worth it to me, but as for you, at least you've been warned :)

All dressed up for the orchard in our red sweater and booties from the talented Melissa.

And of course, what would a photo op be without a big flower hat??

We went to a new place this year (to us) and they had all kinds of things for Ava to see, including this little petting zoo.

This is a picture I dreamed of when I was pregnant alot.

Is there anything sweeter than a Daddy with his daughter??

Two of my favorite blessings.

As if we could think about selling her!

Whoever took her home would quickly realize the amount of spunk they just purchased!

Quite possibly one of my all time favorite photos.

I think my heart skipped a little when I found this spot.

Ava was loving all the grooves her little fingers fit into.

And we were loving her.

Forever my girl.

The trees were dripping with the most beautiful apples.

And we hopped on a trolley to see them.

They took us to the great pumpkin patch...

Where we picked out a pumpkin that Ava clearly loved!

Our first of many visits I'm sure :)

We strolled through the orchard for more photos and some apples.

I mean come on, in that red sweater??  I couldn't resist.

Ava's hands were so busy, touching and feeling everything in sight.

And her eyes so big and full of wonder.

Our precious little family...

Yes, these are kind of days that I know are a GIFT from the Lord.

And look who we ran into??  My cousin Jenny and her family!

Merry Christmas from the Lowe's!

Is this not a great Christmas card picture or what??

After we got home and everyone got a nap, it was time to carve our pumpkins!  Ava licked hers (we washed it) and kept hitting it with her hands.  I think she liked it :)

Travis was the top carver and the scooper.

And I was the decorative carver.  Of course.

Although it's hard to tell in this shot, our family pumpkin says "BOO!"

And Ava's is a little heart.

Once we lit them, she was totally fascinated by the whole deal!

Although she'll never remember this, we had so much fun starting this little tradition with her today.  In fact, I kind of have a lump in my throat thinking of how many years we'll do this together and how quickly I know they will go by.

I hope to freeze frame just a little bit of today in my heart forever...It was a sweet day for the three of us.

After we carved our pumpkins, Travis was dying to roast the seeds.

So we did and they were great!  We both ate them by the handful when they came out of the oven :)

Does this day have "americana" written all over it or what???

In the most spectacular ending, to the best fall day ever, we even got a last second win from my Hawkeyes!!  With 2 seconds to go, on the the last throw of the game, we scored a touchdown to beat Michigan State.  I think I may have developed an ulcer watching this game!

And now Iowa is 8-0 for the first time ever!  And we are somehow marching through this season in the top 10.  It hasn't been pretty and we've come from behind in 7 out of 8 games, but we're winning and we'll take it!

So there you have it.

The. Best. Fall. Day. Ever.

With one very grateful heart, I'm off to bed.  

Today has been a very, very good day.