Fall Fun 2020

We've enjoyed the usual fall fun around here.

Annabel was so excited when the leaves started falling because that meant she could rake 'em up and jump in that pile. We had quite a bit of rain and a lot of wind earlier in October that meant our leaves quite simply disappeared, to Annabel's dismay. Still, she had fun with what we had left. The kids even took Cosmo into the pile in his new stroller which was fun!

The kids had been wanting to kayaking again with Daniel's new GoPro. The day they went, the water level was pretty low so the trip took quite a long time actually, but the fall colors were beautiful I'm told! And another weekend, we grabbed a warm afternoon to go hiking among the fall foliage, which was delightful. We drove to the top of a local hill, which we call Mount Trashmore, to enjoy the fall colors from the higher vantage point- so pretty. It was windy enough up there that Annabel could even fly a kite! So fun!

And finally, the week before Halloween, we took the kids to the pumpkin patch so they could select their pumpkins to carve. I, rather bittersweetly, had hoped to pass on going this year (those pumpkins are pricey, after all! and with COVID, I didn't relish being at the patch with many others) and just opt to get a cheap pumpkin at the grocery store, but the kids both protested greatly and very much still wanted the experience of going where we've gone since they were little (2009 here, and 2011 here- awww!!). We caved and had a great little outing, of course! We don't have too many more years of this left, so I'll enjoy it while I can. 

This year, Daniel wanted to give a lumpy misshapen pumpkin some love, so he worked hard to find the lumpiest wonkiest pumpkin he could- that was really so fun and so different. I loved that aspect of this year's trip. Annabel found a delightfully round pumpkin that she could even pick up all on her own, which thrilled her, and she happily toted the pumpkins in the wagon to the cashier at the front. And of course, the kids and I stopped to enjoy the photo op spot before we left, too! I was pleasantly surprised that it was not very busy at the patch, so we were very comfortable looking around there- this had concerned me greatly beforehand, since we were going on a Saturday (only because our days disappeared and we didn't want to wait till after the weekend), but it turned out just fine, thankfully. We grabbed Portillo's and enjoyed a picnic lunch before heading home to carve our pumpkins. Both kids carved their own pumpkins and they both turned out GREAT! Both pumpkins lend some clues to the kids' Halloween costumes, too...you can check out their great work below! Sometimes I can't believe these kids...they really are growing up, aren't they? I sat and stared at Annabel working in the dining room the other day with tears in my eyes. Sigh. These days, these kids, are so wonderful. 

Enjoy our fall fun pictures!

Leaf fun in our front yard!

 A fall kayaking trip!

A delightful fall hike, plus a trip to the top of a local hill!

Fall Instagram fun, courtesy of National Geographic Travel/Adventure. Wanderlust indeed.

Pumpkin patch time! The kids both wanted a picture with the Mystery Machine before going in, which was so cute. Annabel found a perfect pumpkin! And Daniel gave some love to a lumpy wonky pumpkin this time. So fun! Of course we stopped at the photo op spot on our way out, too! (Oh and you'll see us girls have festive fall masks made by Grandma Mary Kay, which are even reversible to Christmas on the other side- thank you, Grandma! They're so fun!)

After our picnic lunch, we came home and the kids got to work scooping and carving pumpkins! The cats were very curious indeed and stayed nearby the whole time. Annabel still loves the goop in the pumpkins, Daniel reached in a couple times, but he mainly hates that part and uses the spoon as much as possible. I just take pictures- I hate the goop, too, haha!

Annabel couldn't wait to get started on her pumpkin! We worked hard on the design, which was inspired by her Halloween costume. Annabel's design had a lot of twists and turns and nooks and crannies, so Daddy helped her a little bit, but she really did most of it! It turned out great- Annabel was awesome and so patient!- though we know maybe not everybody will get what it's trying to be. We'll tell you on Halloween!

Daniel told me exactly what he wanted on his pumpkin, so I printed a template and we simply incorporated his idea into our design. We think it turned out super cute. He did a great job doing it all on his own! His pumpkin also gives a clue to his Halloween costume. Look very closely and you might guess. We'll share more on Halloween!!

Ta-da! We've got some great pumpkins to put out front!

The squirrels had already started in on Annabel's pumpkin, to her dismay- that face of hers, so bummed. Sorry, babe. It still looks very festive outside!