The Pumpkin Patch...A Favorite Fall Tradition

I've always been a summer girl, but FALL is quickly becoming my favorite season. I think it has a lot to do with having babies. There are so many FUN things to do with little ones in the fall.

Atop the list, of course, is the annual trip to the pumpkin patch! Me-ma & Papa, Auntie D & Katelyn joined Corey, the kids and me at Phillips Farm today, which has the best pumpkin patch around.



But before heading out in search of the best pumpkins in the patch, we had to stop at...

the toss-a-really-bouncy-ball-into-a-cup game:


the bounce house:



the tractor, where Abbie got some loves from big brother:



the scary hay maze for big brother:


and Raggedy Ann & Andy for little sister:

(how CUTE are these girls?!?!?!)

the straw horses for Jayden...


...and Auntie D & Kate:


the hay mountain, where Jayden & Papa got to be "Kings of the Mountain" for the day:


and all the other general fall cuteness that comes along with the search for the perfect pumpkin:

(which I think I found right here, thank you very much!)

After all the other fun stuff, the pumpkin picking commences. Decisions, decisions...

Abbie found hers!

And Jayden found his and hopped in for a ride, too.

After all that hard work (and play), Jayden climbed a tree for a look at the best show of the day...

...watching Daddy get attacked by a bunch of geese!

Geese mauling aside, we had a wonderful day at the pumpkin patch and look forward to a fabulous fall!

Autumn blessings, all!

Summer Vacation in Coeur d'Alene

What makes a really great summer vacation?

For me, it's equal parts family, friends, a nice beach, bonfires (with s'mores, of course), laughter, story-telling, and a good road trip (you know, seeing how far you can drive without having to pull over at a rest stop).

Our summer was made great with a nice long road trip to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to visit the Grant family. While it took longer to drive to Coeur d'Alene with 2 kids than it took to fly to South Africa (no, I'm not kidding), we had a great time and made some great memories.

Corey's parents have a great place just a couple blocks from the lake. We spent our fair share of afternoons playing in Lake Coeur d'Alene and enjoying the sun and the feel of sand between our toes.

Abbie wasn't quite sure about the water; she was happy when Daddy & Mommy were there to pluck her toes out of the sand.

Jayden had a blast building sand castles and splashing around with his cousins.

While Jayden was getting water-logged, Abbie was a little more content to watch from the shore, either in her stroller or sitting on Grandpa Art's lap.

After a long day of playing in the water, we would wander up to a grassy area at the park to play and relax.

Jayden & Ashley played hide-and-seek in the old trees.

And check out the look of sheer terror on Carter's face at the idea of Jayden behind the wheel. Grandma and "Auntie Nett" look a bit more composed.

The sunsets over the lake are just beautiful.

After a long day in the sun, one of my very favorite summer traditions is a good bonfire. Dennis & Annette (Corey's oldest brother & his fab wife) have a great place out in Post Falls, complete with a bonfire pit...and great bonfire chief.

Commander Dennis makes great council fires!

There just isn't much that's more relaxing than sittin' around a bonfire with friends and family, swapping stories and playing catch-up.

Awh, I love my family!

Jayden, Corey, and Corey's dad, Grandpa Art. And J with Corey's mom, Grandma Margie.

Auntie Nett and Lexi keeping warm by the fire. And big cousin Josh having fun with baby Abbie.

Uncle Dennis relaxing and enjoying the great fire he built...and Jayden wanting to be like his Uncle Dennis (imitation is the sweetest form of flattery)!

And, of course, what bonfire is a bonfire without s'mores???

No summertime trip to Coeur d'Alene would be complete without a day or two at Silverwood. Water, rides, sun, the old steam locomotive, ice cream cones as big as your head... Always a great time!

Grandma Margie kept Abbie at home one day while Corey & I took Jayden to splash around at Silverwood. We had such a great time with our boy, who is alredy growing up too fast.

Then she and the rest of the gang all came out and joined us in the late afternoon for dinner and night-time rides (and those aforementioned ice cream cones!).

He even rode some of the rides by himself! What a big boy. (Hey, he's only 2 and as a mom I'm entitled to some bragging about the "small stuff".)

While we were in the Northwest, we took a day trip up to Libby, Montana to visit Uncle Ardell and Aunt Sheryl. The drive up there is just beautiful.

We visited the Libby Sports Center, Uncle's pride and joy, to see the new addition. The Lord has greatly blessed Uncle Ardell with a great business up there and the community just loves him.

Jayden was quite taken with all the animals, and the kids loved playing with all the goods.

On the way back from Libby, we actually saw moose roadkill. I am not kidding, a big ol' dead moose on the side of the road. No sign of the car, but I'm guessing it wasn't good. I mean, where else but Montana would you see that???

Moose roadkill aside, we had a great time.

Back in Coeur d'Alene, we enjoyed lots of BBQs, being outdoors and just good ol' family togetherness.

Grandpa Art's old friends from high school, Stan & Bev (above with cousin Becky), stopped by for dessert and coffee one night. They're celebrating their 50 year high school reunion this summer. And still friends after all these years, how cool.

As always, we had a great time in Coeur d'Alene. We are truly blessed to be part of such a great family. Thanks, everyone, for the memories.

Until next time....