2nd annual trip to the pumpkin patch

This was so much fun! Today, our family finally made it out to the Old Time Christmas Tree Farm for our 2nd annual picture and fun day with the Lewis family. I can hardly believe how the kids have changed (comparing these pictures with last years).

So much has happened over the last year, and I feel a little overwhelmed trying to catch the whole family up. In fact, it's probably impossible... but we can at least try for some highlights.


We really had a great afternoon. It was so fun being together as a family.

Aren't our 3 pumpkin heads cute!!!! Alyson has saying CHEESE down real well.

At the good old Pumpkin Patch Jacob and his older cousin Ryan were rough-housing and Jake ATE grass. Poor baby.....look at that nose and forehead...........can anyone say ADVIL? Needless to say I cried and he didn't. What a tough kid!!!!

Here is our oldest taking a turn down the Pumpkin Patch giant slide.....................NO ER trips - thank goodness.

Here is Matthew trying to be daring and doing some kind of flip roll thingy down the large slide.

Here is Alyson on the big blow up slide at the Pumpkin Patch. Look at her go.........WHEEEEEE!

Here the kids are with their cousins Ilyace and Aizak. They had a wonderful time. It was very sunny as you can tell by the squinting. These two nephews of mine have stolen my heart.

Daddy and daughter having a wonderful day at the pumpkin patch. This is a giant spider made for Halloween picture taking. Matthew is hanging up at the top, but who knows where Jacob is.

Matthew has moved in to our house full time this school year and is in 5th grade. He's doing well in school, has a lot of friends, and is very active with his scout troop. Hopefully he will be starting to play on a soccer team starting next Saturday. More activities for Mom to worry about injury from. He remains, as always, our family comic relief. He creates laughter everywhere he goes. This is the new bike and ramp Matthew got for his birthday. We have already been to the ER once. He was just banged up - no real injury. He sure did get some attention and got to stay home from school for a day. Being a mom to two VERY active boys is a worrisome JOB. James insists I let them be boys and have all the fun they can................................easier said than done.

We tried to recreate the accident scene a few days after it actually occured, but the camera wasn't cooperating with the air shots. He rides his bike EVERY chance he gets..................he is definitely an OUTSIDE boy.

Isn't he great!

This is our Warrior - Jacob. Doesn't he look great in his uniform.....so tough.....by the way he was posing with his mean face. Jacob is in 7th grade this year, still playing the french horn, and adding football to his list of accomplishments. He is still active with his scout troop, and has been called as 2nd counselor in his deacon class. He is a very busy boy! WE HAVE LESS THAN 3 MONTHS BEFORE WE HAVE A TEENAGER!!!!!

Here he is in action with his team!!!! I go to each game but have NO IDEA what is going on. I just think it is so cute to see them all run around in their uniforms and play a big boys game.

You should have seen me trying to figure this uniform out on sign-up day..............needless to say I had to have another boy's dad and mom help me...........but we made it and he is all safe and padded correctly. I literally giggled and said, "you are soooo cute." He told me to stop embarassing him.......................isn't it a mother's right?????????

Alyson is growing like a weed (of the stink variety). Nobody warned me about the 3s. She's such a little princess and she brings so much joy and delight into our lives. She started preschool this year and she's learning a lot. She likes all of her teachers, and is always excited to come home and tell me all the new things she's learned. Her newest cute thing is...........we ask her, "Alyson, where's Santa?", she tells us he's in his workshop. Then we ask her, "What's Santa doing in his workshop, Alyson?", and she says, "He's making his list and checking it twice!" This should be a fun Christmas! This is the High School Alyson attends preschool at. The school has a child care/early education program for high school students. We were very lucky that her old babysitter Carolie pulled some strings for us and got her on the waiting list early enough for her to get a spot in this program. SHE LOVES IT!

This is Alyson's favorite teacher .... Ms. Megan.......my baby is growing up so fast!!!!! Isn't she so big?????

Here is Alyson with her best friend Zachary at the mall play area. They are evil together. THEY HAVE TOO MUCH FUN and are always laughing or crying together. She asks to see Nina and Zachary every day. They really love each other and have been playing together since birth! They really are the best of friends.

Last year at Old Time Christmas Tree Farm!

Autumn Time

Sweet Traditions! This time of year seems to be richest in family tradition, both those that have been passed to James and I, and those we are creating. One event I hope catches on and becomes one of our family traditions is a trip to the Old Christmas Tree Farm. Last year, James, the kids, and I went with the Lewis family to the farm and we had a great time. There were cut-outs to take pictures in, sculptures, hay and train rides, carnival style activities, and of course... oodles of pumpkins to look at and choose from. Can't wait to go again!