Perfect Pumpkins...

For the 3rd straight year in a row, my best friend and I did a pumpkin carving party with all of our kids. We changed it up a little this year by going over to her house instead of staying at mine since the weather was questionable and I don't have much indoor space. It was so nice that the older kids were able to do more of the carving on their own and we only had to supervise and help minimally while Alexis painted hers with ease.

Andrew and Austin getting down to business...

Scooping out the guts...

Getting every last seed...

On to carving...

Andrew delicately dissecting...

Andrew's grim reaper pumpkin...

Austin cutting carefully...

Austin's ghostly pumpkin...

Aaron painting his pumpkin...

So meticulous...

He got bored with painting, so he joined in on the carving...

Emptying out the seeds...

On to cutting...

Aaron's hand print pumpkin...

Alexis painting her baby pumpkin...

Such a pro, she doesn't even have to look...

Keeping a clean work space...

Gorgeous...

Just a few more spots...

The finished product(s)...

Our pumpkins on display...

'A' is for Apples...

Aaron's preschool class took a trip to Gull Meadow Farms. Even though he had just been there a few days prior for our family trip, he had a blast visiting it with his friends. And since the visit was during the week, not as many activities in pumpkin lane were open, but we were able to do more of the other fun stuff such as picking apples!

Aaron and Nolan with their teacher, Mrs. Meyers...

Aaron and Nolan with Mrs. Whitman...

Best buds...

Tammy, Nolan, Aaron and myself on the wagon ride...

Our cuties...

Picking apples...

Searching for the best ones...

Showing off their finds...

An apple a day...

Finding a few more...

Another perfect pick...

Donuts and cider...

"Dude, smaller bites!"...

Yummy...

Their class learing all about apples and pumpkins...

Picking pumpkins to take home...

'P' is for Pumpkin Patch...

Over the weekend, the kids and I took our annual trip to our local pumpkin patch, Gull Meadow Farms. Joining us in the fun fall festivities were my parents and my nieces. We had a great afternoon of tractor rides, activities, donuts and cider!

Our crew...

Semi-group shot...

Me with my munchkins...

Cousins...

My parents with their grandkids...

Loads of Fun...

Austin and Aaron on the train...

Andrew on the zip line...

Austin's turn...

Austin trying to help Alexis with the obstacle course...

She wasn't too keen on crawling in there...

Andrew and Aaron waiting their turn...

Austin almost done...

And ready for the next activity...

Andrew jumping for joy of his victory...

Alexis ready to roll...

Courtney and Andrew in the fence maze...

Audrey trying to wrangle Alexis...

Alexis on the jumping pillow...

Since she kept getting knocked over by other kids, they let her have a few minutes all by herself to jump...

Aaron trying to bounce...

Austin about to get his bounce on...

 Austin's super jump...

Once we were done with all the activities in Pumpkin Lane, it was on to the tractor ride!

My parents and the kids waiting for the tractor to arrive...

Andrew, Aaron and myself...

Alexis checking out all the scenery...

Papa and Aaron...

Courtney and Andrew...

And no trip to the pumpkin patch is complete without picking out some great pumpkins!

"Okay Mom, what do I do again!?"

Looking for the perfect pumpkin...

Trying to pick up her choice...

Clearly it was too heavy, so she opted to pick flowers instead...

Aaron grabbing his pumpkin...

Too heavy, on to the next one...

Found it!...

Success...

Austin narrowing in on his selection...

Such strength for such a little guy...

I'm definitely excited for our trip back there next year when Alexis will be big enough to enjoy all the activities without so much assistance!