Pumpkin Patch~2013

This year we went to the pumpkin patch with friends. It was even more fun than each year before.  Gentry was old enough to enjoy it this year and Jubal had friends there to play with, even though, as usual, he ventured off doing the things he likes instead of staying with them.

Our family. :)

Our friends.

There are so many fun things for the kids to do.  Jubal usually likes riding the cow train, but this year he passed it up.  Gentry just followed Jubal.  Where his brother went, he was close behind.

Click on all collages to enlarge.

I think the biggest attraction for the kids is the huge trampoline.  That's what I call it anyway.

Coming off the trampoline.

He loves jumping with his daddy.

He was going back to jump some more. Unfortunately, he couldn't make it up the incline.

Happy anyway. :)

Another fun thing to do, and Gentry will get to do next year, too, is ride the "barrel bull".  Jubal & Addy loved riding it.  I wish there was more than one so they didn't have to hurry so that everyone in line gets a chance, but oh well.

After riding the bull, we made our way over to the petting zoo area.  The boys loved checking out all the animals.  We all especially had fun feeding "Elvis", the donkey.

Moving right along, our next stop was the "Corn Crib".  It's just a little house with corn on the floor deep enough for the kids to play in.  Of course Jubal had to be the one to throw it.  Luckily, no one was injured. ;)

Jubal wanted to ride the horsie bounce next, so while he rode on it, Gentry got to run around and check people out.  He was sure that one little girl's cup was his.  It took a lot of convincing that it wasn't.

Next up, we were on the hayride, ready to go to the pumpkin patch to get our cute little pumpkins to carve.

On the way to the pumpkin patch, they sing fun songs and tell stories until we get there.  The bigger kids looked at me like I was crazy for singing and playing along.  I guess my boys will do that, too, one day.

Once we were at the pumpkin patch, Gentry walked around picking up every pumpkin and dropping it.  I finally found him a really cute one that he toted around until he found yet another one he obviously liked more. Ha!  He was so stinkin' cute in the middle of that pumpkin patch!

Before leaving the patch, we all had our picture made together for memory's sake.  It isn't the best picture in the world, but it was fun being there together with our little family & our friends.  I hope this stays a tradition for years to come.

 

Until next year.....

At The Fair~2013

I am such a slacker lately. When it comes to posting, that is. It's just so hard to find time when I work full time and spend my free time with my boys trying to make sure I'm present in their lives. I enjoy keeping up with the little things we do, though, so whenever I get a second I try to get here and post.

This past Saturday we took the boys to the fair.  I grew up going to the fair each year and I enjoyed it so much.  It's something I want to do each year with my boys, too.

Last year was Gentry's first trip to the fair.  He was much too young to really enjoy it, but he did love the lights and all of the commotion.  This year, he still didn't get to ride anything, even with an adult, but he loved getting to get around on his own and watching everything.

This was Jubal's fourth fair experience.  He finally made it to 36 inches so he was able to ride all the kiddie rides solo this year.  He was so proud of himself.  You could tell he really felt like a "big boy".

Very first time riding without Daddy.

Coming off the ride.  He was so excited that he rode the monkeys by himself. :)

After his first solo ride, he was ready to take on all the rides.  His next venture was on the race track...

We ended up moving him to the inside so the bigger boy wouldn't squish him on the turns.

While Jubal was riding the rides, Gentry was running around playing and watching all the people.  I can't wait for next year when he can ride, too.  He's my little monster man and I have a feeling he's going to love it even more than Jubal.

Last ride of the night, other than the merry-go-round, was the bumble bees.  Larson ended up having to ride on this ride with Jubal because it goes up in the air a little and Jubal kept standing up before the ride began, which had the operator a little uneasy so she asked Larson to ride with him.

Each year I look forward to getting the merry-go-round pictures.  It's my favorite picture of all.  I like looking back at each year's picture.

Click to enlarge.

We enjoyed our time together as a family while we were at the fair.  We enjoy our time together as a family anywhere, really.  I'm so thankful for these people God gave me in my life.

Life Lately

There's not been a whole lot going on lately, just enjoying the cooler weather. It still pretty warm during the day, but the evenings are awesome.  We've been trying to spend more time outside when we all get home and I am loving it. 

On Mondays, I've been taking the boys to school/daycare so that I can get some serious cleaning done around our home and just have some time to myself.  I usually feel guilty dropping them off, but then at the end of my day, I feel like I'm a better mama when I have just a few hours to re-group and feel more productive while taking care of things at home, too. 

When I go pick them up around 4:30, we go pick up Larson together and then we all go to a little park in Hagan close to where I work.  They look forward to it each week.  Their favorite part is when the train passes.  The conductor always toots the horn and waves at all the kids playing at the park.   

This is where they stand to watch the train.

Both boys got a hair cut.  Jubal used to pitch a fit when he got his cut and is still a little nervous about it, but he finally gets up in the chair like a big boy and lets Rachel cut it without having any type of breakdown.

Pre-hair cut

Gentry, on the other hand, hasn't been bothered by getting his hair cut at all.  I hope it never bothers him.  He just gets up in the chair and handles it like a little boss.

McDonald's in our town has "Family Night" every Tuesday.  After we pick the boys up from school, we take them to eat and play.  It's good social interaction with children other than who they go to school with everyday.  There are even a couple of children with learning disabilities there.  I want my boys to be exposed to all types of children.  I want them to learn to respect everyone, no matter what our differences.

This past Sunday we didn't have to go anywhere or do anything.  It was wonderful!  We sat outside in the perfect weather all day.  I mean all day, too, except for nap times.  I wish we could do that more often.  It's nice to relax and just be with my little family.  I need it.  I took a couple of pictures of my little blondie while he & I played outside while Daddy & Jubal finished their naps.  He really looks nothing like he did when he was smaller.  He's always beautiful, though. :)

We're going to be busy the next couple of weekends.  This Saturday is my BFF's benefit concert for her mama who was diagnosed with breast cancer.  We're leaving the boys with their babysitter, Miss Ashley, for the evening.  I hate to leave them ever, but Ashley is family and she loves the boys so much.  It should be a fun-filled evening.  Good food, good music, good friends, all for a good cause.  Doesn't get much better.

Sunday, we have another birthday party to attend at our local recreation department.  The weather will be nice, hopefully.  The boys love going to their little friends' birthday parties.  We had one we attended this past Saturday for Miss Hunter and the boys had a great time at it, too.

Next weekend, it's the FAIR & PUMPKIN PATCH!!!! I always get so excited this time of year.  I love Fall, fairs, pumpkin patches, Halloween, all of it.  Our friends, Adam & Michelle, and their girls are going with us this year so it should be even more fun.  Gentry will even get to ride the rides this year.  I'm like a big kid.  I'm so excited for all of us to have some fun together. :)

Jubal has chosen his own costume this year for Halloween.  He wants to be Leonardo the ninja turtle.  "Leo's a leader!", he says.  I say, "Whatever you want, baby."  I know he loves some TMNT.  Gentry is going to be a scarecrow, which was what Jubal was when he was a year old.  Gotta love hand-me-downs.  They work, though, until Gentry gets old enough to ask for his own costume, too.

Well, that's about all I have for now.  I don't think I'm forgetting anything we've been up to or about to be up to.  I know I'm looking forward to each and every day with my family.  I love them so much!