Fall Happenings

I always get sentimental this time of year because it's the season in which I became a mother to both of these boys.

I love spending as much time as possible outdoors with them in the fall. This weekend has been like that.

We took a trip to a pumpkin patch yesterday afternoon. Nanny, PopPop, Aunt Melanie and Uncle Rick met us there. The boys dove right in and were in almost perpetual motion from the time we arrived until the time we left the farm.

The first thing they found was the row of hay bales for climbing and running atop, in our case. I don't have any good photos of that experience because they were moving so quickly and I was just enjoying watching their faces as they flew across the stacks.

We moved to the pond next. Greg and the boys led the way. Look at their arms swinging by their sides! They were in a hurry to see it all.


Then, we entered the corn maze. Nathan and Aunt Melanie analyzed our exit strategy and helped us find the way out. It was neat to be among the cornstalks and hear the wind blowing them around. We have a cornfield close to our neighborhood, and the boys were always curious about it when we'd take walks in the stroller, so I figured they would enjoy this.


The farm animal area was next. Nathan was in a hugging and smiling mood.



Mark liked looking at the sleepy goats that were way up high on top of their tower.


The hayride was much different from the dramatic event we had last year when Nathan was a bit terrified by the ride. This time, both kids were smiling and happy. Mark even had his arm around my back. The kids are growing up.


After the hayride, we explored an old train car and then ate some popcorn and an ice cream sandwich.




Then we found the "kiddie corral," where both boys figured out how much fun it was to jump from haystack to haystack.


Nice action shot, Greg!

They also had a special fondness for the trench between the stacks. On the way out, we walked through the pumpkin patch and chose two for the front porch.


Nathan really liked the pumpkins that were still on or near to the vine. He enjoys a good garden.

As I watched the boys take it all in with such big smiles on their faces, I felt so happy and proud to be the mother of these two. And I was aware, once again, that they are BOYS through and through.

Upcoming fun fall things: carving the pumpkins and celebrating the boys' birthdays!