Spooktacular!

We had plans to enjoy yet another Jacksonville Fall activity! The Jacksonville Zoo puts on a "Spooktacular" that is family friendly...so off we went! Our friend Chad scored us some free tickets (thanks Chad!) and we got our Chik-Fil-A dinner to go! We met up with our friends the Baughmans (McKenna's future husband - Ezekiel) and began our trek through the zoo.

The paths were lined with Halloween lights and carved pumpkins. There were TONS of people. The car line to get it alone was crazy! There weren't many animals out, but the giraffes were definitely a highlight. We also saw a jaguar and some weird unidentifiable animal that we still have no idea what it was...it was a four-legged, long haired, pig/cow/anteater looking creature. Ezekiel called it a "cow" and we just went with it :o) The carousel was another big hit. McKenna was not so pleased when it started moving, so I hopped on, enjoyed the ride beside her and she was fine.

They had several candy stations throughout the park, music, bounce houses, and more. It will be something fun to try again when McK is a little older. She really enjoyed looking at the lights and people...but it ended up being a later night than I had hoped! I think if we try this again we'll go during a week night and hope for it not to be SO CROWDED!!! I'm glad we went and it's always good to be with Mark, Lauren and Ez.

More Fall Fun!

We love it when Dave has time off from his firefighting school! When he doesn't have Reserve weekends, we have a 3 day weekend to have some fun as a family. We took some time to have some more Fall fun. Dave had to hit the books for some studying in the afternoon, so we made the most of our morning together.


Daddy was such a good helper...he helped glob on the paint so McKenna could smear it alllllll over the pumpkin!


She kept it mostly on the pumpkin for a while...then things got crazy!


After painting the table, we cleaned it off with shaving cream. My 3rd graders loved smearing it on their desks, so I figured McK would like it too...I was right :o)

She was ready to be cleaned up...so off to the bath tub we went. She had fun, but when she was done...she was DONE!

Connor's A-maize-ing Acres

Today's experience at Connor's A-maize-ing Acres solidified a new Fall Burke Family Tradition! Connor's Acres is a huge farm with a corn maize, hay rides, farm animals, and more. What a WONDERFUL Saturday we had spending our morning there. The weather was perfect- a little cloudy, warm, with a breeze! We arrived about 30 minutes after it opened, got a good parking spot, met up with our friend Vanessa and her 2 little ones, and off we went. An unexpected surprise was Dave and McKenna were FREE to get in! Yee-haw! Dave, b/c he's a fireman, and McK b/c she was super cute...just kidding...b/c she was under 2! Enjoy the pictures and video clips. We will certainly be returning in the future! So fun!




doin' lunch picnic style.................Farmer McKenna and Farmer Josh!


Mama and McK riding the cow-train!


McKenna was SO BRAVE! She loved the animals...we were calling her the animal whisperer!


The baby goats were her favorite...she told her daddy she wanted one for Christmas :o)

So many photo ops!

Fall colors!

Mama and Daddy broke the rules!
Sleepy girl...she had so much fun!

Visit with Pop & Gigi

My parents got to visit over my Mom's fall break from school. They flew in from Oklahoma on Wednesday and got to stay through Monday! As always...it was SOOOO good to be with them. McKenna took to them like they were the best of buds. They wasted no time and got right down on the floor to play.
McK showed Pop all her toys!

Pop doesn't mind having tea parties!


Gigi gave McKenna a bath every night! They splashed, sang, and had a big 'ol time. Gigi loves to put the smell-good lotion on McKenna, and taught her how to rub her hands together to smooth in the lotion.


Gigi striped the dining room! Thanks Gigi...it looks AWESOME!!!!

Taking time to feed the ducks.

Pop was hard at work too! He put in a beautiful flower bed in the front and 2 little flower beds in the back of the house. Thanks Pop (and our good friend Chad)...you guys are the BEST! I promise to do my BEST not to kill the plants!

Mama and McKenna...ready for the Pumpkin Patch.





Picnic after the Pumpkin Patch!

Thank you, thank you to Gigi and Pop for a wonderful visit. Thank you for all your help, love, and generosity in your house warming gifts! We love you and can't wait to be with you over Christmas.