Pumpkins, Corn Mazes & Lots of Fun

Fall is one of our favorite times of year although we really have something to love about every season.  Spring is great for Easter, flowers, and pretty clothes.  Summer is great for going to the beach.  Winter is great for Christmas and snow.  But Fall is always a special and fun time for our family.  We love big orange pumpkins, falling leaves, dressing in costumes, and eating yummy Thanksgiving dinners. One of our favorite traditions since Evan was a baby has been going to a pumpkin patch/farm.  We usually go to a local farm where we pick out our pumpkins and feed the animals, but this year I thought it would be more fun to go to a farm that has more activities for kids.  I found one not far from us that had a large corn maze, a cow train for the kids, a petting zoo, a country store with yummy goodies to eat (funnel cakes and homemade ice cream), and lots of fun games to play.  We met my brother's family and enjoyed a nice afternoon on the farm. 

BRODY'S FIRST PUMPKIN












FAMILY PICTURES


Mommy and her littlest pumpkin.



Sweet pumpkin sugar!






Mommy and her two pumpkin heads.






Our Blessed Family of 4!







Brothers!





The Cousins!



The Smith Kids ~ Emma, Lanny, Reade & Cate



The Blessed Smith Family of 6!


THE CORN PEN


Evan buries Lanny in the corn!



Emma and Evan could have stayed in there all day!









Lanny and Evan went crazy in the corn.



Emma thought this was a great beauty ritual and marveled at how soft and smooth her skin felt from the corn dust.  Apparently, it makes a great exfoliant!



Lanny passed on the corn pen for a ride on this horsey.


COW TRAIN!


Evan and Emma climb aboard the cow train (a string of "train" cars pulled by an ATV).  Emma had developed an "irrational" fear of the cow train when she heard it in the corn maze because she just knew it was coming for her, but she got over her fear and rode the train.



Evan in his cow train car.



A tired little pumpkin at the end of a long, fun day.



Brody and Cate nap through dinner.

Evan's School Days

Now that Evan's school year is in full swing, I think he is really enjoying his new friends and routine.  He is talking more and more about his school activities and friends.  Just this weekend, we met a little boy from his class that was Evan's first new friend.  He plays soccer in the same league as Evan so we will be seeing him quite frequently this Fall.  I think their teams play each other this weekend.  I am very thankful that Evan's class has a great room mom who shared some pictures of the classroom activities with us because I am always curious about his days. 


The first day of school at circle time. 



Evan enjoying some free play on his own. 



Last week was "farm" week, and Evan loved telling me about Mrs. B's cool farm hat with the cow on top.



Evan (in the red and blue striped shirt) was being very attentive at story time.



Music time.



I presume they were pretending to play the drums.



Evan spies the camera.  He's used to having one in his face all the time.



Lunch time!  They eat pretty early and only get about 20 minutes since they get out at 12:30 so Evan doesn't usually finish his lunch until he gets home.


FAMILY NIGHT

Last Wednesday night, we had a family pizza night at Evan's school.  We enjoyed eating pizza for dinner and then getting to tour Evan's school and classroom while the kids were being entertained by Fish the Magish and his "magic" act.  I had to get a little peek at the magic show of course. 


Mommy spent too much time talking at mealtime so Evan was already on his dessert before Mommy even got started.



Getting ready for the magic show.



Fish the Magish.  He was a pretty funny guy.



Evan had a plan to get on stage...sit as quiet and still as he could and then give the magician his biggest grin when he was looked at.  It worked!



Evan was the boy helper.



He was given a magic wand, but it appears to be broken.



He was then given another magic wand that just seemed to produce more wands.  He thought it was so funny!

Soccer, Soccer & More Soccer!

Whew!  I really feel like a soccer mom lately, and let me tell you it is hard work.  I really miss those "lazy" Saturday mornings when I might get to sleep until around 7:30.  Who am I kidding?  Those days are long gone.  With two boys who will probably find at least one sport they want to play, I am sure our Saturdays from here on out will be filled.  Although it is tiring sometimes to drag ourselves out to the ball field for an early game, we really do love sharing these special times with the boys.  It is probably one of the biggest joys of having boys although there are many other joys too!  Last weekend, we actually had a kind of "double header" with back-to-back games on Friday night and Saturday morning.  I am thankful that is not a regular occurrence.


Daddy is wearing his "Striker" green and is ready to cheer for his boy.



We finally got to play cousin Lanny's team and see him play in his first game too. 



Lanny was an ol' pro at the game.



Lanny "guards" his goal.



Evan and his team buddies waiting for their turn to play.



Evan cheers for the rest of the team.



Little Porter has big kicks on the field.



Lanny's got the ball!



Coach Shaun instructs Evan and Joe on the next play.



Evan and buddy Joe look so cute on the field.



They're ready!



Green v. Orange



Warming up for the second game.



Team huddle.



Evan's ready.



Evan and his team mates get ready for the kick.



Evan's buddy Joe offers encouragement.



Evan fights for the ball.



Little brother naps on the sidelines.



Evan assist with offense.



Huddle with coach.



"Go Strikers!"