Pumpkin Patch Adventure

I'm over a week late, but I still wanted to post pictures from our trip to the pumpkin patch 2 Saturdays ago! The weather had been cold and nasty the week prior to this now, infamous outing, so it was supposed to be a nice treat to be outside in anything other than heavy jackets, mitts, toques and boots! But, because of the nicer break in the weather, EVERYONE else decided to go to the pumpkin farm on the same day! We could barely move - seriously! And just the day before, the 3-4 inches of snow that was on the ground, had rapidly melted, turning all dirt pathways into muddy pathways... We had to wait in line for about 40 min. for lunch and by then, it was not the kids that were cranky, it was my husband! I think it all started when he had to pay $9.25 cents per person just to get onto the farm. Then, there were numerous crafts, games or activities that were an additional $2 charge each. We avoided those like the plague, but felt guilty at the same time, like we were bad parents and our kids were missing out... This was my first time to any pumpkin patch - ever! I was so excited before we got there, but so disappointed the moment I saw the place. Where were the piles of pumpkins for cute, fall photo sessions with my kids?? Well, because we live in this stupid, freezing country (yes, I really did just say that!), the pumpkins all had to be mass harvested and brought into a green house. Bummer! I wanted to actually pick a pumpkin! So, we manged to have some semblance of "fun" before trudging through the mud, back to our car (parked about 2 miles away because there were so many people there!). I think Sara and Sky had way less expectations than I did, so I was able to snap a few pictures of their happy smiles! They actually enjoyed themselves for the most part!

Guess how many pounds this pumpkin is, and you get to take it home! Really? No way do I want to cart that thing home! (How do you like Sky's tough guy pose?!)

Sara being silly and hopping on one leg at the top of a very large pile of hay!Sky, the pumpkin-man! (Get it? Instead of a snowman?!)

This was the hay mountain at the center of the hay bale maze! This was definitely their favourite - they could have done that all day long!
Petting the bunnies was another big favourite! They were sooo soft!

I love the expression of surprise on Sara's face! I would love to know what she was thinking!
Later that evening, we had fully recovered! :-) The kids each picked a pumpkin at the farm (from the greenhouse...). Sara chose to decorate hers like this... And Sky wanted to carve his pumpkin. This was the end result! Joshua had never carved a pumpkin before! I must say I was very impressed! While the carving was going on, I separated, cleaned and roasted the pumpkin seeds! This was my big "first" for the day! They turned out really good, if I say so myself!

Don't Blink - You'll Miss It!

We have this beautiful wooded area behind our back fence. I took this picture 9 days ago, when the leaves were at their peak colour.The next picture was taken this morning! The trees are almost completely bare, with only a few brave leaves hanging on. Isn't that crazy?! I love the fall season, but it just doesn't last very long around here. We have to hurry up and enjoy it while we can!Before the leaves disappeared, we did manage to get out and enjoy the beauty of it all. I love these next pictures of Sara and Sky's little hands holding their treasures for me to see! (First one is Sara and the second one is Sky.)

Thanksgiving Day is just 2 days away for us! We'll be having our turkey dinner at my in-laws house. I'm bringing the hashbrown casserole and the pumpkin bread. Mmmm, I can hardly wait! It still seems a little strange to have Thanksgiving in October, but I'm getting used to it. It would be even more strange to have Thanksgiving at the end of November, when winter has officially set in, though! Sara and Sky have been working on a poem to say for everyone on Thanksgiving Day called, "Pumpkin Poem." They've done an amazing job memorizing! It's really cute. I'll try to get it on video so all of you can see it too.

I know I've been absent from the blogging world for awhile. I was pretty sick for two whole weeks at the end of September, and still haven't felt like myself since then. We've also been busy with school and getting into the new routine. It's been good and the kids really seem to be enjoying themselves. I think they were bored! And of course, we are still trying to get settled into the new house. We're slowly, but surely getting all the pictures hung and decorations arranged. I'll take some pictures soon, so you can see the finished product! Right now, it's time to go make supper!