Fall Fun

October was unusually gorgeous around here and we spent as much time as we possibly could outside.  (It's a good thing October was gorgeous...it made up for a miserably wet September!) 

This is going to be long.  I'm combining a lot into the one post.  :)

First off, before the crummy September weather hit, we got together with some of the Nelson families at our house.  Crystal took some pictures of us at Willamette University.  Unfortunately, between the kids not really cooperating (nap time didn't go as planned that day) and some funky lighting, Crystal wasn't very pleased with how they turned out.  Here are a couple that are pretty good.

Okay, now on to October.  One Wednesday it wasn't raining, so we decided to check out E.Z. Orchards' pumpkin patch.  We'd gotten a flier in the paper that said weekdays were free, so we headed out to enjoy the petting zoo, pedal tractors, duck races (with water pumps in gutters), and a really fun slide.  Phil, Kristin, and their two foster boys met us there (Bridgett was sleeping, as she was still working graveyard at that point).  The flier had also shown some really tasty-looking caramel apples and Judson REALLY wanted one.  (A few of our fall books have caramel apples in them, so that's what had originally gotten him excited about having one.)

It was more than a little hectic with Phil and the kids there, so I didn't get many pictures.  (If you think of it, please PRAY for him and Bridgett.  The foster boys are out. of. control.)  After they left, we got pumpkin spice donuts and apple cider donuts and this BEAST of a caramel apple.  As you can tell, it made Judson's month.  :)

 We found out that night that the Olsons were going to Bauman Farms the next day, so we joined them after Bible study for more free pumpkin patch fun.  Here's my only picture from that outing.

The NEXT day (yes, the third day in a row!), we met Jess Nelson and her daycare kids at Lee Farms in Tualatin for a little field trip.  Both Dee and Krista Nelson were there, too, so it was lots of fun to catch up.  This time we actually got pumpkins and went for a hay ride.  Once we'd had a picnic and the daycare kids left, my kids sat on lots of different tractors and I told them I'd pay for one additional activity.  They both had a blast and I was so glad I'd "splurged" for something extra.

Why, oh why, can't I get a decent picture of the two of them together?!

Picking out his pumpkin

The hay ride (Dee on the left)

Judson chose to bounce on this thing.  He absolutely loved it, and I loved watching him.  It wasn't that long ago that he wouldn't have been brave enough to go out there alone.

Cooper wanted to ride a pony.  I was a little leery because this summer at the Linn County Fair, after we'd waited in the heat forever (for a FREE ride), she freaked out when it was her turn.  This time, however, I could walk along beside her and she was thrilled.

*Side note to any non-Pacific Northwesters: there are TONS of pumpkin patches around here and they're so much fun!  They're also often quite expensive, however.  Though it was not my intention of visiting three in three days, one must get outside whenever it's not raining around here and it's a fun alternative to parks (which we frequent nearly every day in the summer).  ;)  My kids did go to one other pumpkin patch with my parents and Anna and her kids.  That time they got to ride a little "train" and go in a corn maze.

We've been to the zoo twice this fall.  It's definitely my favorite time to go!  My parents, Anna, and the kids met us this particular time.

We only go in the Lorikeet aviary when my parents are along.  I'm completely unnerved by the birds swooping inches away from me.  Thankfully one has never landed on me, but they've landed on both my parents.  Yikes!  No idea what Judson was doing here. 

Cooper insisted on wearing her giraffe shirt, because Macy did the time before.  She was very excited that Macy had worn hers again.  Such sweet cousins!

Lunch

Whew!  Now I'm caught up on our fall activities.  I still plan to go back and finish up a few more summer events.  Time will tell if that's going to happen.  Speaking of time, we only have about nine weeks until Baby comes!  Between two major holidays, house projects (mostly organizing and such), and everyday life, (s)he will be here before we know it!  And, no, I am not yet mentally prepared.  My two big kids and I really have a nice routine going these days...