Tradition

I have 15 minutes, can I do this?

Here is Gracie. She found Daddy's DQ Blizzard cup from Tuesday night. It seemed to have exploded on her face.

Can't tell you what year Stoney Ridge Farm first opened(neither could they) but I know we were there. All four of us. Daddy, Me, Jessica and baby Jacob. We love the fact they do not decorate for Halloween. Most people probably don't notice this, but we do. I emailed the Gavettes several years ago and thanked them for this little detail and they said they decided from the get-go to honor the Lord in that way. Neat. So here goes nothin....

We walked in, paid(for the first year) and jumped on the hay wagon all to ourselves! We beat the school groups by 5 minutes! And missed Grandma by 1 minute who came walking out to the field as our tractor pulled up, lol. Poor thing.

Here is my pioneer daughter and her pioneer baby.

The pumpkin patch! We go there to run through the pumpkins and spy crazy looking gourds. Then we went hunting for 4 of the biggest Hubbard squash we could find to can and freeze.

The corn maze! Last year Danny got lost, it is too big for children imo. He FINALLY came out just as my *paranoid* thermometer hit the top. This year they went in groups WITH walkie-talkies....they still got lost....but we communicated and used the cloud patterns as a way to find north and south and then OUT. It worked! Homeschooling at its best yet again.

Who is that crazy baby sitting next to me?

Back in the hay wagon to go pet animals, feed chickens and drink fresh pressed, hot apple cider. Grandma bought apple pull-aparts for all the kids, YUM!!

While we had coffee and hot apple caramel pie, oh yeah.

Here turkey, turkey, turkey...

"I wish I could get out of this stroller...I sure wish my boot wouldn't have fallen off while being carried to the van this morning, or I'd be walking now."

Group hug!!

One bunch of happy children!! I LOVE these years. I LOVE my mother for coming with and helping me. We had a great time and made great memories. My oldest son was noticeably bothered when he overheard a mother come skipping in the restaurant and say "We took the kids to school, then came back to enjoy ourselves!" Ouch. For me, it was one of those days you come home smiling, so very thankful I'm a momma. We had a blast together.

And then there is Jessica, who can't go anywhere without spying some little

critter hiding in the foliage to love and hug and hold.

Nope, my 15 minutes was up 5 minutes ago. Oh well.