Munchkin Goes Punkin' Huntin' (and more adventures. . .)

Two of the main reasons for having babies is to take them punkin' pickin' and to dress them up for Halloween (stay tuned for a later post on Halloween!). Really, in the official list of "Why to have kids," those two activities rank in the top ten.

So, Ben and I fulfilled one of our parental duties and took the munchkin out for a day of punkins, farm animals, apples, and wheelbarrows. Ben and I have made it a little tradition to visit Homestead Farms near Poolesville, MD every autumn, and it was extra fun this year to be able to introduce Keenan to the family tradition. Here is the photographic evidence.

Keen Goes to Jersey

A big apology goes out to all of our favorite people in Jersey who are wondering why Keenan's trip to visit them hasn't made it into the blog yet. Blame it on pure laziness and massive time deficiency, as of late, on Keen's momma's end.


Our trip to Jersey was a three-day whirlwind. . .September 12-14. We began our visit in Lakewood, where we introduced Keenan to his Great-Grandma Mary and Great Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Jim. We were also lucky to be joined by Grammy and Pop DeGeorge, who flew up from NC to join the fun. We took the requisite 4-generations shot: Keen, Mom, Pop, and Great-Grandma. Our births span about 92 years!

Keenan with his Great Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Jim

Keenan with his Jersey Aunties: Denise, Jen and Josey, Lisa, Kim and Mom

We then moved on to Red Bank where we had a mini party with the Chester girls and stayed overnight with Lori's friend Lisa and her boyfriend Quinn. Most of the Chester girls (Denise, Kim and Jen) were in attendance, and it was so wonderful to introduce Keen to his "Aunties", some for the first time. Saturday morning's big excitement for Keenan (and maybe more so for his mom and dad) was a trip to a true NJ diner in downtown Red Bank, where Keen watched his mom and dad inhale way too many pancakes and eggy concoctions. Thanks, Lisa and Quinn, for giving up your entire room to the Ulrich fam and for giving us the grand tour of Red Bank! We'll be back again soon :)

Red Bank, NJ: Keenan's first Jersey Diner experience

Next stop was Denville, where we invaded the beautiful new home of Jen, Mike, and Josey Vitale. And by "new," we mean "living-there-for-one-week" new. The Vitales deserve something really big and extravagant for taking us in for the day and night, along with all of the other visitors who stopped in and out to meet Keenan. I'm not sure I would have been as open-armed to guest invaders had I just moved into a new house! Keen loved spending some QT with Miss Josey, his older and much wiser 2-year-old girlfriend. Many baby kisses were exchanged. . .so cute.

Keenan with Auntie Jen and Josey (she's 2 today--October 7!)

Bryan with Karl, Jen with Josey, Lori with Keen

On Sunday morn, we headed on out to the homeland of Chester. . .or, I should clarify and mention that we just drove through Chester on our way to Long Valley to meet more friends at the Long Valley Brew Pub for scrumptious brunch. Ben's buddies Pete and Steve (old work buddies from Ben's days in NYC) brought their wives, Carrie and Olga, and their kiddos (2 each!). We had a great time catching up and wondering in amazement how all of us have somehow managed to procreate and remembering those pre-kid days just a few years ago. We'll definitely be returning soon to give Keen a real taste of Chester.

Thanks for making Keenan's first trip to New Jersey very special. He's already asking to come back :)