October Fun

October might be my favorite month of the entire year. If we could devote one day to Thanksgiving, one to Christmas, and then celebrate a few birthdays with the other 29 days, I would be set. October brings fall perfection to North Carolina in the form of immaculate weather - I actually enjoy being outside in October, sandwiched between September's humidity and November's frost - and who doesn't love hayrides and pumpkin-decorating and fall-scented candles? It makes me all giddy inside!

We got off to a good start with our trip home last weekend, and continued the fun with a trip to the pumpkin patch this past weekend.  Since the events of October 1st left us without a camera, some friends of ours took some great ones for us! (And now I officially have DSLR envy.)

This was our second year going to this particular farm, and we were there with other CHD families from Duke.  Between the generosity of Farmer Ganyard, and the pediatric cardiology department, it was a day of free fun! And, while the farm itself is great, a price can't be put on having the opportunity to spend the afternoon with people who "get it".  Whose child's chest looks just like Ethan's, and who brings out the hand sanitizer just as quickly as I do.

Ethan was into it so much more than last year and, before we knew it, three hours had passed! We had such a great time and I would be lying if I said I haven't thought about going back again before this blessed month is over.  A huge "thank you" goes out to Duke Children's and Ganyard Hill Farm for giving us the opportunity to create such cherished memories, and to our newest friends for capturing them for us!

Ready for our hayride

Handsome boy!

Checking out the corn maze

"Hey Dad - I've got this"

New friends!