Pumpkin Patch

It is finally fall and the first thing the boys ask to do every fall is to go to the pumpkin patch. So this weekend we were able to go. Each year it seems like they add a few more things to do and as always we had a great time!

After we read the story of Spookley, the square pumpkin, we checked out the animals

Then the boys took a detour to the antique tractor

 And ran through the mini corn maze...a new addition this year

 Caden was proud to figure it out all by himself

 Then, after some time in the bounce house...

 they were ready for the pony ride. I LOVE this picture that Ben took of Caden!

 The pony ride is always one of Ethan's favorites.

 

 And finally it was time for the hay ride

 

 After the hay ride, they checked out a 1959 Ford tractor

 And turned into roosters ;-)

 Last, they each picked a colorful gourd and took a picture with the Peanuts gang.

 

I am so thankful for traditions. I love that there are certain things that we do each year and that this time next year, we will do it again :-)

Dalmatian Derby

Last Friday morning started bright and early at Patrick Elementary with the Dalmatian Derby. This year's theme was Superheroes and each person had a tie-dyed t-shirt with a cape on the back. 

Spot, the Dalmatian, hung out with us for the day and we started with some stretching exercises to warm up.

 Then it was time for some jumping. Gail, our fearless Derby coordinator and past Olympic Track Gold medalist, showed the kids how to do it!

 Then it was time for some speedwalking

 Caden and I tried to walk with Ethan but per him, we were not allowed...I didn't think he would be too big for Mommy in Kindergarten...at least he's independent!

 While everyone walked to some groovy music, Spot showed us his smooth moves

 Then it was time for our superheroes to come back together and end the day with a little Hokey Pokey :-)

We had a great time at our first Derby and this Mommy is extremely thankful it is over after spending every day for almost two weeks at the school working on it! Now, on to the next PTA event!

Gatlinburg

A couple of weekends ago, we took our annual fall trip to the mountains with Mimi. We usually stay in Pigeon Forge but this year we stayed in Gatlinburg instead. We were very excited that Chad, Ashley, and Collier were able to go with us this time. The weather forecast said it was going to rain the whole time we were there but it thankfully turned out to be a very nice weekend.

 The boys' very favorite thing to do when we go up there is to visit the aquarium so that was first on our agenda and Collier loved it as much as they did!

 

 Checking the water pressure

 Peek-a-boo

 Mimi and Caden checking out the sharks

He looks like such a big boy in this picture

 The three cousins

 These boys are focused on those fish!

 

 Walking through the shark tunnel

 Petting the crabs

 I love these aquariums that the kiddos can climb in!

 

  Looking for treasure

 Cheese!!

 Uncle Ben has a super soft spot for this little one :-)

 This penguin was adorable and so personable! He came right up to the boys and started swimming in circles next to them!

 

 I love how Chad and Caden followed Collier into the penguin tunnel. 

So cute!

 After the aquarium, we stopped for lunch then headed back for naps. After nap time we walked to the Hollywood Cars museum.

 The General Lee

 Love this! The Flintstone mobile

 Andy-Barney...that's what the kids call The Andy Griffith Show :-)

 Their fav...the Ghostbusters mobile

 Caden doesn't recognize this from Days of Thunder but he was super excited that it was a race car!

 Sweet Girl and Ethan checking things out

 And the Batmobile

 

 They had a ton of other cars and another of Caden's favorites was Bumblebee from the Transformer's movie.We walked to dinner after the museum and then wound down for the night. We had a blast hanging out after the kiddos went to bed!

After breakfast the next morning, we decided to walk around town and visit some of the shops. This was what I remembered most from my childhood trips to Gatlinburg...boy is it different with an active 4 and 6 year old! We made the best of it and stopped for pictures whenever we could, though.

 

 

 

 

 

 All of the cute fall photo-ops definitely made me regret not putting more thought into our wardrobe for the day :-(

On our way out of town, we stopped for pictures going back down the mountain.

 

 Our final stop on the way home was Cherokee. Ethan wanted to see the Indians...his words, not mine. So we stopped for a bit to watch the Indian chants and dances, then toured a few of the shops.

It was a great weekend! Can't wait til next year!