Pumpkin Patch

 When Matt and I started to think about what kind of traditions we wanted to have with our family one of the many was going to a pumpkin patch each year.  Matt had wonderful memories of going to a pumpkin patch type place when he was younger so we wanted to keep that up with our kids.

 We found a fun farm that is also a pumpkin patch called Back Home On The Farm.  We try to go there with the kids once a year around fall-ish time.  They have swings,

 and very friendly animals.  Glen especially loved the goats.

 Matt and Grace had water pumping rubber ducky races,

 while Glen tried out his drumming skills on pots and pans.

 The new thing they had this year was a human hamster wheel.  There were two of them so Grace and I raced a few times to see who could get their tube to go faster.  I think I won once and Grace won once.

 The favorite of the farm is the underground slide.  It starts at the top of the hill, and you slide through the hill to the bottom of the hill.

 Matt was at the top getting the kids ready, I was at the bottom, getting them off of the slide.  The kids just ran up the hill to ride again, and again, and again.  It was fun to hear their squealing!

 We all rode in the cow train.  Grace was at the front of the train so she did not make it into the picture.

 And this year we were able to go on the merry-go-round.  Grace loved it!  She wanted to try out all of the horses.  We did not do that, but she did get to go around and hug all of them before we left the farm.

 

 We went to the pumpkin patch in mid-September which is early to start thinking about fall-ish things like this.  However, there were only about two other families at the farm while we were there so we got to do all of the activities over and over with no line.  We even got to see the pig races that they hold at the farm.

 Welcome fall, we are so glad that you are here!

Beach Family Photos

 While at the beach we decided to attempt some nice family pictures.  I think they turned out wonderful!

 I really love this one of the kids!

It was a great vacation.

Riven Rock

 In early September, before the weather got cold, Mamaw, Amy, Grace, Glen and I went for a quick trip to Riven Rock for one last fun time in the water before fall came.  Grace was brave and quickly went straight into the water.  She was laying in it, building with rocks, and trying to swim.

 Glen was content to stay out of the water as long as he could get water in his squirter in order to spray others.

They both enjoyed moving rocks out of the water.  The bigger the better.  I love seeing them work together and enjoy playing in nature.

First Day of Preschool

Glen started 4 year old preschool this year.  I can actually see that he is getting more and more ready for school next year.  He really likes preschool and he is learning so much.

Here is to a good year of preschool!

First Day Of First Grade

 In August Grace started First Grade.  She has Mrs. Romero as her Spanish Teacher and Mrs. Skelton as her English Teacher.

Since most of her friends that she had in class last year are still in her class she knew almost everyone already.  She loves her cheetah print backpack and her bun that she begged me to do for her first day of school.

The only issue that she has is that I work in the school right beside hers this year, so I drive her to school and home from school, so she does not get to ride the bus much any more.  But the year is good and so far a month into it Grace is getting all perfect grades.

Here is to what I hope continues to be a good year.

The County Fair

 This year at the fair, Grace baked some cookies to enter in the competition for best baking for her age.  She did all of the work (all except for putting them in the oven and running the mixer).  She was very proud to find that when we got to the fair to visit, she learned that she won first prize for drop cookies for her age!  She even won 2 dollars for that prize!

 We had a great time walking around the fair, and seeing the sights.

Matt, Glen, and Grace did ride one ride.  It was the first time that the kids got to ride the farris wheel.  I believe that they loved it.

It was a good end to the summer.   I am excited to see what Grace and Glen can enter in the fair next year.

Sandbridge Beach 2016 Part 2

 Lacy was a fun addition to our vacation and I was able to capture a sweet moment of Glen playing with both baby kitty and Lacy.

 One evening we drove into Virginia Beach.  We ate at a very good seafood restaurant, then we rented bikes to go up and down the boardwalk on.

 Each of us had a turn to pedal, even Grace!

 Eamon was able to get a very cute selfie with Grace one day.

 Carol rented a paddle board so each of us had a chance to try it out.  Here is Matt on the paddle board.  I went out on it and was surrounded by 6 dolphins.  I was so close to them that I could hear them blow water out of their air holes.  I could even see that one dolphin had a rip in it's fin.  It was a very fun thing to do!

 Grace lost her first upper tooth while at the beach.  This is actually her third tooth lost, but her first upper front.

 The boys playing their games.  Glen got to be part of the "big boys" during this time.

Glen loved swimming if he had his float vest on.  He was so proud of himself.
Grace was timid at the start, but suddenly one day she went under and kicked and pushed off...she swam!  She did not swim far, but she swam under the water on her own!
Grace had so much fun at the beach that on our last night there Grace said "mommy, I want to leave the beach the tomorrow after tomorrow."