Pumpkin Patch=Fantastic Family Time

The weather was amazing and Rick was had a day off so we all headed to Pooley's Pumpkin Patch. It was a little 15 minute drive and the cost was great for our budget. Plus, we didn't need a ton of attractions to grab our attention, we just wanted to pick out some cute pumpkins and enjoy some family time. 

Mathen was bored waiting to get in so I asked him to "cheese" for the camera to make time go by faster.

Me and my big boy. He was laughing at daddy.

The first stop was the chicken coop.

Then we were able to go inside to see baby chicks. Thanks dad for helping Mathen.

He would've stayed here all day if it was his choice.

I tried to get them to look at me but there was way too much stuff for Parker to check out.

Little pony ride.

He was a pro. His horse started shaking but he held on tight like a champ. I yelled, "Way to ride, Cowboy!"  It made him smile. The onlookers got a kick out him saying, "YeeHaw!" in response to my comment.

My baby Parker watching big brother ride. He is not so sure of animals yet so I'm sure he didn't mind.

There was a little track set up so of course Mathen had to ride a lap.

Climbing, jumping and sliding on hay bales was the name of this game. He was giving me the king of the mountain pose.

Checking out the tractor and saying, "YeeHaw!" again. He has such a sense of humor.

He was checking out the hay bales maze...he decided it was more fun to climb and jump through the maze than to walk through it.

Family going through the corn maze...this was a lot of fun and luckily daddy has a great built in compass because I might have walked around a little longer before I would've found the exit.

Little man checking out the hay...not so sure what to think of it.

Relaxing in the tire swing.

Checking out some pumpkins.

He is growing up so fast. 

He enjoyed swinging the the "HUGE TIRE" swing.

Chilling in the pumpkins.

We were waiting for dad to get some snacks so he fed the chickens again.

The chickens took turns coming to him.

Daddy getting some Parker time while waiting in line for a funnel cake.

Mathen always finds the play equipment. My little monkey.

Parker just wanted to eat the corn he kept finding on the ground.

Checking out the produce.

The boys posing with their pumpkins. 

We had a blast. We are slowly finding our niche here in Omaha :)

First Field Trip: APPLE ORCHARD

     Fall is my most favorite time of the year. I love that you can wear sweaters. I love that God allows us to see things fade into different, beautiful colors. Fall also means school is in session and field trips are a must. Thursday, September 22, 2011, was Mathen's first school field trip and we went to the Apple Orchard near Fort Calhoun, NE (about a 25 min drive from the school). Parker stayed home with Grandma which allowed this trip to be just me and my big boy (and the other kids and parents as well). The day of the trip, the class made apple tarts from scratch. The kids peeled the apple (with an old fashion apple peeler), mixed all the ingredients, rolled the dough and finally assembled the tarts. The teacher said the only hands that touched the tarts were the students themselves...how awesome that my 3.5 yr old got to bake all by himself at school. We need to do more of this at home soon :) Also, Grandma made an apple pie the next day with some of the apples...it was delicious!!

Here are pictures from the day:

He was patiently waiting for me to come see his creation. It tasted really good too!

Mathen and Penelope carrying their tarts to the playground for the picnic before the field trip. 

Little playtime after lunch. The weather was so nice.

Boys and sticks...he was excited that he could use it to write in the dirt.

Killing some time while the other parents unloaded their kids.

Watching Mrs. P write all the names on the apple bags.

I promise there were more kids...Mathen & Penelope just like to walk with the teacher while Molly and I walked behind them :) 

Holding Mrs. P's hand...I adore that he allows other adults to care for him and that he shows his love for them as well.

Each kid was given and bag to fill so we were off to fill his bag. 

Two at a time seemed to be the theme.

Molly helping Penelope.

Pull Penelope, pull.

These kiddos are great friends :)

First try to show off the apples...Mathen got tickled because his bag was so heavy.

Here are all the apples we picked Mom!

Looking at more apples.

Showing the apples to Mrs. P.

Headed off to see what was next on the agenda.

Taking a moment to chat.

Peekaboo around the tree with Mathen.

Peekaboo around the tree with Penelope.

The other kids were still picking apples so M & P took a little break to ponder life's questions.

Sometime I wonder what 3 yr olds talk about when we can't hear them.

Giving P a hug :)

Mommy & Mathen 

Molly and Penelope

These next pictures are from Mathen...he did a great job!

Sherrie Marie

Some scenery and clouds.

Class gathering to listen to Mr. John (I think was his name...I forgot to remember it hahaha)

Telling about the many apples and how he picks them.

Putting the apples on the conveyor belt.

I took these last 3 pictures. 

Waiting for the apple to come around.

Here they come...

Most of the class and some parents. 

It was a fantastic day and the weather was magnificent. I'm so glad my big boy enjoyed his first field trip and I'm looking forward to many, many more with him.