#allthepumpkinpatches

We squeezed trips to three different pumpkin patches in October! We went to a small local patch located on the same family farm that has the blueberry orchard we visit every summer. We went back to a large farm that we hadn't visited since Liam was one year old. And lastly, we had our annual visit to the pumpkin patch near my parents' that is always a photo-op favorite. 

Our first pumpkin patch visit was Blase Farms. It is smaller patch, but they had a hay bale maze,  petting zoo, a train ride, hay ride, and of course, a pumpkin patch. We packed a picnic lunch and spent an afternoon there. The kids enjoyed being able to run around in the hay bales and they really loved the hayride! They also had some really cute backdrops for pictures. 

I love this picture of Will getting a selfie with the kids! 

Elias was obsessed with this pumpkin cutout! He would get the biggest smiles and just laugh when he would stick his head through! 

After church one Sunday, we drove about an hour east to Yesterland Farms. We took Liam when he was small because in addition to a pumpkin patch and corn maze, they have all kinds of carnival rides. Liam was NOT into it and cried on his very first ride, so that was that. They had tornado damage a couple years ago and totally revamped their farm after that. I saw pictures and info about it's grand reopening on Facebook, and we decided to try it out. It was SO MUCH FUN! Since we didn't go until after church, we only got to stay 3 hours, but we could have easily made an entire day out of it. I'm already looking forward to our trip next year! 

My MIL came with us and joined Liam on the giant slide! 

We were told the corn maze takes approximately 30 minutes to go through. We let the kids completely lead the way and were out in less than 15! We were impressed!

They were all kinds of old school rides for the kids to enjoy. Some were a little sketchy looking but they held up, ha!  

The swings were hands down their favorite ride. I LOVE their faces in these pictures! Look at that JOY! 

They had a "candy cannon" that shot off while we were there. THOUSANDS of pieces of candy (and good candy too, not the cheap stuff) flew out over the kids' heads and it was a mad dash. 

E tried and loved fresh lemonade! 

We saw pig races -- Liam cheering on our green pig!

And our last pumpkin patch visit was with my family at Hall's Pumpkin Patch. They too have a corn maze, petting zoo, hay ride (we didn't get to do that this time), and plenty of places for pictures. My kids' absolute favorite thing about it is their wooden playset. That is what I bribe them with for pictures, ha! 

Elias loved the petting zoo! 

Again, these kids had us in and out of the pumpkin patch in record time. 

The big kids got their faces painted this year for the first time. Liesl got a cat and Liam some kind of monster eye thing. 

Family picture...

And one with Yaya and Pappou. Maybe should have taken these pre-face painting, but oh well! 

And that was our October, or at least every weekend in October. :) I love Christmas season the most, but I sure do love pumpkin patch season!!! 

Thanksgiving Weekend Recap!

We had such a good Thanksgiving break! Having Liam home the entire week was the best. We are counting down until Christmas break already! We lounged, we explored, we celebrated, and more. It was a full week! 

This will be an extra long weekend recap because our weekend began on Wednesday! Will took off from Tuesday afternoon on, so on Wednesday we headed to the zoo! It was freezing out but the crowds were low and the animals were out, so it turned out to be a pretty perfect little outing. The kids got to run around which Elias loved and the big kids got to pet a ball python!

We are wimps! It was upper 40's when we got there but we were slowly peeling layers as it got warmer. 

 1 little, 2 little, 3 little penguins! 

After the zoo, we headed to my parents' house to surprise my dad for his 60th birthday! My mom sent him off to buy himself a present...which ended up taking 2 extra hours than we thought! But he finally came home and was super surprised. I ordered these cake toppers from Etsy and they were so funny! And yes, we put SIXTY candles on his cake. It was a bonfire! Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you! 

After dinner we had s'mores in the fire pit, and then it was time for bed in our Thanksgiving jams! 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I am so very thankful for these three and their Daddy!!! 

E mesmerized by the parade performances. 

The kids alternated between watching and playing outside. Liesl loved the Rockettes and said, "I wanna be dat!" Me too, sister! 

My dad also took the kids on multiple tractor rides up and down the street. Happy Texas Thanksgiving, y'all! Ha! 

We headed to my aunt's for a big Thanksgiving dinner with my dad's side and to watch the Cowboy game! 

Our black Friday shopping the next morning consisted of donuts....and a new TV! 

We spent the weekend decorating for Christmas and just lounging. It was so nice! The house is a wreck right now with boxes and stuff everywhere so getting everything in it's place is my job this week. We put the big tree in a new spot this year, so I have some rearranging to do. I didn't post a tour last year, but I will make sure to this year! 

My Sunday morning babies! Elias moved up to the toddler room this week which was bittersweet, but I peeked in on him and he was having a blast which made me smile! 

Elias never lasts very long with these photos, but I can always get the bigs to stay still for a couple more. :) 

Liesl got into my lipstick stash and gave herself a little makeover. She is so into makeup right now! 

And we capped off Thanksgiving break with a birthday party for one of Liam's sweet friends! This two have been in the same class for K and 1s grade and are super tight! 

Have a great week!!