A Beautiful Autumn Weekend

A few weeks ago, we went to the Ludwigsburg, Kurbisausstellung, located on the beautiful castle grounds of Ludwigsburg Castle. This is an annual pumpkin fest and they have a different theme each year. This years theme was focused around the Wild West and they featured cowboys and Indians, totem poles, covered wagons and many other displays made out of pumpkins and squash (see photos). The largest European pumpkins for 2006 were also displayed. We couldn't have asked for a better day as far as the weather was concerned. To go along with the theme we had an Indian summer day. At the fest they also had pumpkin dishes, pumpkin maultashen which is the Schwabisch version of ravioli, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, pumpkin with rice and even pumpkin sparkling wine. They also have a Fairy Tale Garden on premise with miniature, half timbered houses, a river and some other fun features for children and adults alike. This happened to be one of those days that Alexander decided he was going to exercise his lungs. He screamed all the way to the fest, during the fest and all the way home. I remember when I was in the hospital and staying in the maternity ward without Alexander. Mother's would walk by me with their little ones crying their little eyes out. I also remember very clearly wishing and praying to God that I too could have Alexander in my arms and hear him cry. He was still in the NICU and I had yet to hear him cry, because he was intubated. So even though I could see he was crying, I couldn't hear him. My point is be careful what you wish for. In spite of Alexander crying, being outdoors helped and it was a wonderful family day.

2 days before our outing to the castle John and I took a trip to the golf course. Our first golf date together in almost a year. We had a wonderful time together and once again it was a gorgeous fall day. Our golf game wasn't too bad either. I actually had one of my better scores on this round. Why is it when you don't play for awhile you play well, but when you play often, your game gets progressively worse? 2 weeks later we played again and I added 13 strokes on to my game. Same course and beautiful weather. Go figure:)

On Columbus Day we went to the Wilhelma Zoo with some friends and once again the weather behaved. We entered the zoo through the beautiful botanical gardens that are located in the green house. Unfortunately the azaleas, camellias and gardenias were not in bloom like they were last April when we went with Diana, Dave and the girls, but there was other amazing flora and fauna to see. We spent the day looking at the apes, lions, tigers, elephants and bears. I am not sure what Anika's favorite animal was, because she was in awe just staring at the animals, wide-eyed with those beautiful, big brown eyes of hers. John, Lexi and I just love watching the baby apes, they are so human-like. They play just like toddlers in a park do and tend to banter like siblings. Alexander told me he preferred the elephants. He is talking already, amazing:) Anika and Alexis enjoyed the petting zoo, but the goats were a little overwhelming. The goats were jumping on Lexi in order to get the food she had in her hand. Lexi was yelling, "Miss Irene get them off me, get them off me". We really had a super family weekend.