Fall Fun

We've been living it up this fall season... it really is my favorite.  I love summer but I ADORE fall.  I love the cool mornings, the colors of the leaves, making chili, and all of the rest of it.  Even though I know what's around the corner...  So we get out and enjoy it as much as we can.  Or as much as my pregnant body will tolerate.  This pregnancy was treating me pretty well until a few weeks ago.  Lots of pelvic pain and soreness, more than the typical aches and pains of the third trimester.  I endured it for a few weeks and finally made time to go see my chiropractor.  Love that lady.  Not being in constant pain is pretty great but I'm trying to not push it so much so that my adjustments last longer and I can get out more and ENJOY my family!

We drove down the road to Easter Lake the other day for a little nature walk.  Kids loved it, it was a beautiful day and we collected some acorns and rocks (of course).

This is Wyatt right now.  Always holding me hand and leading me where he wants to go.  Until I say no or try and go a different way... then it's loosey goosey, Betty spaghetti, fall on the ground, etc.  That's a fun game buddy.  Not.

Lainey was getting over a cold on this day, which you can see in her eyes, but also needed to note her fantastic hiking outfit.  Right down to the fancy clicky shoes.

We also went to a teeny tiny little pumpkin patch in Ankeny with some friends a few weeks ago.  This place leaves much to be desired, but it's free and it's pretty close so we'll take it.

A few homeschool moms from our church have graciously volunteered to organize some field trips for all ages of kiddos.  The first one was to Jester Park for an insect hunt.  Thankfully, Jed took the morning and joined us, which really made the experience easier for me but WAY more fun for my kids.  Everything is better when Daddy is with us!

See?  He's the fun one.  This was right up his alley.  He was grabbing the bugs, showing the kids, getting burrs all over himself, etc.

Sister had some serious patterns going on that day.

Letting the bugs go back into the forest!  Lainey really wanted to take them home.

Wyatt was asleep before we hit the highway.

I'm sure there's more fall fun to be had in the next few weeks, we still have a bigger pumpkin patch trip planned and Halloween fun coming up too!

Thankful

I don't think it matters that this post is a day late because I am thankful for these ones every day...

for this boy.  Oh, this boy.  I love how he loves me and NEEDS his Momma (though it's not always convenient).  I love how he gets into everything (though it's exhausting) and is so fun and playful.  Thankful for his joyful personality.

for this little girl.  I am thankful that she is the one who teaches me how to be a mom.  I am thankful for her constant chatter and singing and that just now as I type this, she's coloring at the counter and just said, "Mommy, I love you just the way you are!"  (Not even joking)  She is pure sweetness.

for this man.  I am thankful for what a hard worker he is.  He works so hard so that I can stay home and love our kids.  He works hard all day, comes home and loves and plays with us, serves our community group and our church many nights a week and then gets up and does it again each day.  He is a great example to us.

I'm thankful for our parents and our families, our nieces and nephew, I'm thankful for my brother in law who serves our country.  I'm thankful for grace and a Savior who loves me where I'm at each day.  I, we, have so much to be thankful for.

Pumpkin Patch Part 2

We have really taken full advantage of all kinds of fall activities this year and loved every minute.  Saturday we headed out to the Winterset/St. Charles area and went to The Pumpkin Ranch!  (Thank you Groupon)  It was a bit on the chilly and windy side but we bundled up and made the best of it.

I loved this sign that said "How Tall This Fall?"  Will be fun to try and get back there next year to compare!

Wyatt's height is deceptive with that huge hat on his head.

I love this guy.  He was a trooper hanging out in the stroller most of the time we were there.

Lainey and Jed headed down the BIG slide!  

Jump jump!

It's funny how a toddler has such a small and short attention span.  She literally did each activity for a couple minutes then saw something else she wanted to go see or do.

Lainey and Jed stood in line to ride a horse so Wyatt and I did some exploring.

He could swing for hours!

Brr... I look cold.  Yeah, it was cold.

In the end, Lainey did not ride a horse.  She was so excited... She introduced herself to the lady helping, and even let her hold her but then when it came time to hop on, she got really scared.  I can't blame her... horses are large creatures!  She's still talking about the horsie named Domino though so I bet next time she'll definitely do it.

Wyatt... ready to go.  Lainey, too busy with her popcorn.

We took 4 pumpkins home - a big one, a medium sized one and 2 munchkin pumpkins for my munchkins.  We picked up some acrylic paints so the kids could paint their little punkins.

Listening intently to directions I'm sure....

This was as short lived as it looks... Wyatt cannot be trusted with crafts.

Lainey on the other hand loved it.  She took her time and took careful attention to each detail and stroke of the paint brush.

The Pumpkin Ranch is open one more weekend in October.  I'd definitely recommend it.  The drive out there is beautiful and they have lots to offer for the whole family.

Pumpkin patch #1

We headed to Ankeny to Williamson's Pumpkin Paradise with a few moms and kiddos this last week.  Even though it was prrretty chilly, it was the perfect hour spent enjoying some fall fun-tivities.

Had to bundle little mister up since he spent most of the time in the stroller.  Next year he'll be all over the place, I'm sure.

This little cow named Marshmallow kept trying to eat Wyatt's blanket.  Lainey thought he was so cute until he started moo-ing at her.

Brrr... they just look cold!

Wyatt was unimpressed.

I've been hearing about this corn pool ever since Wednesday.  She loooved it.

Wyatt and his buddy Ambrose were perplexed.

Queens of the hay bales!

Such a fun morning with some good friends!  We are loving all of the great fall activities ... this was our first pumpkin patch trip of the fall but we did another one this weekend too (another blog post coming soon!).  I love sharing these moments with my sweet kids!