October 2012: The weekends of Ocotber were filled with New England's fall activites. In addition to raking leaves, we went apple picking, got lost in a corn maze, and celebrated Halloween three times!

October 7, 2012: We met up with Aurora's best friend from Knowledge Beginnings at the Butterfly Place in Westford. The girls had a blast, although Aurora was still a bit wary of butterflies landing on her.


And the traditional photo - Aurora's favorite part of visiting the Butterfly Place.



October 8, 2012: We went out to Honey Pot Hill Orchards for apple picking. We start with a wagon ride to the farm store and petting zoo. While Jon waits in line for the hot apple cider donuts, the girls play.


Then it is on to another wagon ride to the orchards. Having gone apple picking 6 or 7 times in her life now, Aurora knows just what to do!


And if the good apples are too high up, just climb up a ladder to find the perfect ones!


For the first time, Aurora willingly approaches a costumed character!


Back at the farm stand to pick out some pumpkins for decorating.


Someone is a bit too tired to walk all the way back to the car!



October 13, 2012: We spent the afternoon touring Siena Farms, the organic farm that we support with our CSA membership. Before we head into the fields, Aurora checks out the chickens, has a snack or two from Sofra (the bakery owned by Ana Sortun), and makes sure Baba is warm enough.


Aurora closely examines the baby spinach growing in the fields. It passes her visual inspection and her taste test! How come she eats baby spinach that she just picked from the field, but refuses to eat it at home?


On to the carrot fields! Aurora worked very hard to pull 3 or 4 carrots out of the ground (Kathy worked just as hard lossening them first). Yum!


Back at the farmhouse, we enjoy more good food prepared by Chef Ana Sortun(her husband owns/runs Siena Farms).


After heading home, our day is still not done. There is a birthday to celebrate as well!

Video: Singing




October 14, 2012: 'Cuz one giant bag of apples in not enough, we head out once more for apple picking! This time, we were joined by three other couples at Carlson Orchards. Unfortunately, we are not so luckly with the weather, but Aurora and Greer had a blast anyway!



On the way home, the skies cleared and it turned out to be a pretty nice fall day. Perfect for going to the Fall Fun Fest held in Newton Center. Aurora still loves the roller coasters, but she is starting to outgrow some of the kiddie rides.


That evening, Jon finally has a chance to open his birthday present from Wai Po and Wai Gong. He loves the pink shirt he got!


And Aurora loves her new dress!



October 18, 2012: After work, we hit a bar in Cambridge for Trivia Night with other Cornellians.



October 20, 2012: We met up for a playdate and lunch with Ariana in Natick.



October 21, 2012: A fabulous day to visit Davis' Mega Maze! It's a bit windy, so make sure to zip up all the way!


Besides finding your way through the maze, there are lots of activity spots inside the maze. There are slides, a zip line, skeeball, and even mini golf!

Video: Zip line



At the entrance/exit, there are assorted puzzles to try out.


Good night, good knight!


On the way home, we were lucky to catch sunset at Wachusett Reservoir. The photos of Jon and Kathy are by Aurora.



October 26, 2012: Walnut Hill celebrated Halloween early. Aurora skipped the haunted house, but was happy to go trick-or-treating in the dorms.



October 27, 2012: Natick had its own Halloween celebration on the Common.


What is Aurora looking at? It's a bird...it's a plane...it's firemen on top of the fire ladder dropping pumpkins at a target!


Aurora was so exhausted, she fell asleep on the short ride/walk back to the car. Nothing like taunting a sleeping child with candy!



October 29, 2012: It's Hurricane Sandy day! In other words, no work and no school!

Video: Sandy visits Newton

While the wind gusted outside, we kept busy indoors.

Video: Musical chairs

Video: Pumpkin guts



Video: Pumpkin time




October 31, 2012: Even after two earlier trick-or-treating sessions, Aurora was still ready for more on Halloween night. Since there are very few kids in our neighborhood (and some of the homes are quite far apart), we joined Greer to go trick-or-treating on her street.