The Pumpkin Patch

On the day of Annie's actual birthday, I had Parent/Teacher conferences and Vera had CCD, so we weren't able to fully celebrate her birthday.  (Have I mentioned that we've had a crazy busy fall?)  I planned a day to Lincoln Ridge Farm the weekend before her birthday.  It was a perfect day.  The kids were so well-behaved.  It wasn't overly crowded, and we had great weather.  It was well-worth our drive there.

Annie did not enjoy this tunnel slide like we'd thought.  Her face was full of fear the entire way down.  #parentfail

These jumping pillows were the highlight of my day.  Watching Vince run from one end to another was like watching him walk on air.  I took a video and I laugh and laugh every time I watch it.  If he would've fallen, he would've really hurt himself because his little legs were moving so fast as he ran and ran.  Typical Vinners who never, ever thinks of the "what ifs."

Annie was just a little too small for them.  Vera was so good about helping her give it a try.

Crawling through this corn tunnel was right up Vince's alley. 

Annie didn't care to crawl through, so she excitedly watched for her siblings at the end.

This is their famous pumpkin tree.

Duck races were a hit.  Vince spent quite a while in this area.

The windmills along route 30 were a backdrop all day.  The kids & I found them to be pretty intriguing.

Annie spent a good while in the corn crib while the older two raced ducks.  She wasn't so sure about it.  Vera had fun making "corn angels" and burying herself.

These little pedal carts were cool, but they were so hard for Adam & I to pedal.  The gear ratios could've been better.  We got quite the leg workout!

The fruit farm has an apple tree that was planted from a seed from one of Johnny Appleseed's apple trees.  Pretty cool!

I think I can speak for everyone in saying the highlight of the day was taking a hayride to the pumpkin patch and picking our own pumpkins.  The pumpkins were of all sizes, and the kids loved finding the perfect pumpkin.  These pictures turned out so well!

What a great family day!

Such a Busy Fall

We had a beautiful, warm fall this year.  The months of September and October were filled with warm days and comfortable nights.  We stayed super-busy enjoying it all...definitely busier than in the past.

Vera had a good soccer season.  We lucked out and had warmer temperatures, but we got caught in the rain 2 or 3 games.  I think overall Vera had fun, but I could tell her heart wasn't always in it.  It's a lot of running for little legs, especially after a long day of school.  We often had to really encourage Vera to be aggressive and go after the ball.  She did a really great job of paying attention and trying to follow the ball.  She volunteered to play goalie in one of the early games, and the other team scored 2 goals on her.  I was proud of her for volunteering and giving it a try, even if her team lost.  After the game, she wasn't upset about scoring on her and said she had fun.  Good attitude, Vera.  That's what it's all about!

Vera the Goalie

Action shot!

 We went to Ft. Loramie's Fall Festival to see Grandma and my aunts.  It was beautiful weather!

Of course, the number 1 priority was a "paint face" as Vera has always called it.

Vinners chose a puppy face, which was perfectly fitting, and pretty adorable!

Love!

Vera chose Hello Kitty, which she also had about 3 years ago at Fall Festival.  And just like 3 years ago, she cried when we had to wash her face at the end of the day.  She just loves "paint faces."

Great Grandma Otte turned 90 at the end of September.  It was 90 degrees that day.  I asked grandma how many 90 degree birthdays she's had, and she told me there's been quite a few.  Ninety years is a pretty special milestone!

The day after grandma's party was also 90 degrees.  Prior to putting on their swimming suits and having one last water fight of the summer, I let the kids paint some rocks outside.  They.loved.it!  Vince & Vera each painted 2 rocks.  Annie kept up with her older siblings, but only finished one.  Vera told me that she wrote about painting rocks in her journal at school on Monday.  It really is the simple things in life!

The 1st Graders observed Fire Prevention Week around mid-October with a visit to the fire station.  Uncle Brian was there, and shared these cute pictures with us.  It was also homecoming week, and the students celebrated with a cookout at lunchtime.  A fun day to be a first grader!

Lunch with friends outside.

So much to do at the fire station!