Why I love the carnival

Fall is my favorite time of year. What's not to love, really? Auburn Football (8-0, number 1 baby!), leaves changing into beautiful colors (if you live somewhere where they do that) and cooler weather (it's below 100!).

I love the food: soups, stews, chili.I love the festivities too. So much goes on in the fall, especially here in the desert. Once it reaches below 90's we open our windows and venture out for the first time in months. Anyone who tells you they love the summer here or that it only lasts for 3 months is insane - their brains have been fried by the sun and heat. Do not listen to them.

We're lucky enough to live in a community where we have an Autumnfest in which we bring in a carnival. Now, your small community filling up with carnies might be disturbing for some. But for the most part, they're people too and they keep to themselves.

Last year, the carnival was interesting because Jackson wasn't too thrilled about all the rides. He got on a little train ride and once he realized I wasn't sitting next to him, but instead was smiling and waving to him from 4 steps away, he screamed and they had to shut down the ride and pull him off. Sigh.

This year, Jackson was a completely different kid. He wanted to ride all the rides. This was lots and lots of fun. Morgan ran into some friends and for the first time since we started going to the carnival, she rode some of the rides with some of her friends. This letting go process was a little difficult, but also very fun. What's more....we were able to let her and Jackson take a couple of rides together, freeing me from tiny cars.

So.much.fun.

But did not free me from the tiny human's roller coaster. Which is okay, because it was so much fun to ride it with a giggling, squealing 4 year old boy. 

big woman. tiny coaster.

Autumnfest doesn't just provide a carnival. There is also an area for arts and crafts and local vendors booths. I love walking through there and seeing what people come up with. This time, I met a lovely photographer. 

I love autumn. You know what else? Autumn means Halloween. And that is my favorite holiday! 

Our little graveyard

We have more Halloween decorations than Christmas. I really do love Halloween. I so love this time of year! And I'm already thinking about our Thanksgiving dinner....yummy!