Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch with the Cousins!

Last Tuesday I surprised the kids after nap time with a secret play date and snack! They didn't know where we were going until we got in the car. They were so excited to find out and when I told them, they were ecstatic! The first thing we did when we got there was meet up with Aunt Val, Sophie, and Porter! Then we got to business and got our pumpkin donuts and apple cider slushes! Yum! Then, they were off quickly to slide, see the animals, dig for dino bones, a tractor ride, climb a combine, and more! The best thing about this surprise was that it's free on Tuesdays! We saw several people we knew since the weather was soo nice, it seems everyone else had the same great idea!

Deanna Rose Family Style

Papa and Gigi treated us to an outing at Deanna Rose and their pumpkin patch! We started the morning watching two cows getting milked and then were the first ones to the pumpkin patch! They have two amazing horses pulling the hayride so it's so much fun to listen to their hooves and take in the beautiful fall scenery. There were so many games and activities in the patch. Benjamin and Bella loved riding the barrel train, 3 times total! And of course jumping off of the hay bales. I think Benjamin did a flip each time as he landed! He's so fearless, it scares me! After the hayride and pumpkin patch fun we also had a picnic lunch, fed the goats, played in the gardens, had pony rides, drove the tractors, and fed the baby goats bottles! Phew, it was a fun filled day!

Meeting Mollie

We got to meet our sweet friends', The Sornsons, new baby the other day. Mollie and Bowen are about 10 days apart. They are both so sweet and very well behaved! Bella and Benjamin couldn't wait to hold her and loved playing with Kellen, her big brother!

Boys at the Zoo

This was our first big outing with just the boys while Bella was in school. It was gorgeous weather out so I couldn't wait to take them to the zoo. It had been a couple months since we've been. Bowen enjoyed his first train ride! The kids showed him how to scream in the tunnel and I'm sure he will one day!

Pumpkin Patch Season

Our first pumpkin patch outing was for Max's 1st birthday at Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch. It was raining and we endured the crazy storms that day. The rain stopped just long enough for the party and started up again as we were leaving. The kids still had fun exploring and feeding the animals!

Uncle Kevin & Aunt Kate's Wedding!!!

They tied the knot! The kids have been so excited to be a part of their special day! The girls have been playing dress up bride every time they are together! It has been a hot topic around here! The kids had a lot of energy and enjoyed running around during rehearsal. Our plan...bring lots of smarties! Valerie showed up with about 100 packs of smarties! I just hoped that would be enough! LOL The kids did great and Bella made sure every single flower was dumped out before she took her seat! Benjamin did his "baby step" routine near the end of the aisle but they all eventually made it down and to their seats. The ceremony was very sweet and the reception was so fun with lots of games and good food! Kate made the amazing cupcakes all herself, made wedding themed coloring books for each of the kids, bow ties and tutus for the kids, and their ring box! I loved their guest book which was a shutterfly "scrapbook" style of their love story with different places for guests to sign. They also had a cross where you wrote a prayer on a strip of fabric and tied it on the cross for them, such a neat idea! We are so excited for the next chapter in their lives and so excited to have Auntie Kate a part of our family! She's my 3rd new sister this year! Crazy huh? We continue to pray that marriage will bless you, make you more Christ-like, and be the greatest adventure of your lives! We love you both so much!