Embrace the Camera: November 14, 2013

A much anticipated stop at Schaake's Pumpkin Patch for a cup of hot cider and a pumpkin spiced donut. 

Oh my! My mouth is watering just thinking about that donut. 

My sweet tooth enjoyed every.last.bite!

We love family outing but they are always more special when Mema and/or Papa can join us in the memory making!
They make everything more fun!

{Parched} Pumpkin Patch

We picked a beautiful Saturday afternoon in late October and made the short drive to Schaake's  in Lawrence for our annual visit to the pumpkin patch. 

I snapped the obligatory photo 1st thing
How much fun would it be to carve that pumpkin above? OK, maybe not gutting it but carving it - shoot yeah!

Little Miss loved! this lion spring toy which occupied her while the bigs waited in line for the pumpkin launch nearby.

 Both kids gave it a valiant effort to hit a target.

 This child cracks me up! It's as if she is preparing to hike a pumpkin through her legs.

 Followed by her stance after commanding her sissy and her boy to "Come on!"

These photos speak volumes as to why I titled this post parched pumpkin patch. The kids were sports and walked rows and rows of patches in search of the perfect pumpkin to no avail. There were a handful of small green or yellow pumpkins and an assortment of flat white pumpkins which we all liked but not a one "acceptable" "pretty" orange carving pumpkin was to be found.

We did leave with a small assortment of pumpkins including a rather nice, large orange pumpkin (not pictured) that we selected from the pre-picked sale area. 

Travis & Papa were working this particular weekend so Mema accompanied us. More pictures to come in an ETC post. 

Embrace the Camera: November 11, 2013

Our #1 with her main squeeze, Daddy-O, on the Courtyards at Apple Butter Makin' Days in Mt. Vernon, MO

Photo taken October 11, 2013

Ruthledge-Wilson Family Farm Fall Fest

Day 2 of our mini vacation took us to the Ruthledge-Wilson Family Farm Community Park in Springfield. What a wonderful gift to the community this free 207 acre farm is! We were so glad to get to spend the day with Aunt Pam, Aunt Shari, Christy, Mandy and their gang joining us for the fun.

 Daddy and his family - Aunt Pam, GG & Aunt Shari

Dawson, Gabrielle, McKenna, Hayes (Bud's son), Addison (Christy's daughter) & Cash (Mandy's son) 

It was rather hysterical trying to get six kids all looking at the camera, much less smile! 

This picture shows their personalities best anyway :)

Smiles for the win!!

Had this picture been just a few weeks later Christy's new baby would have made 7 kids. 

Our dynamic trio 

We took a hayride and attempted a loooong corn maze with only half the gang successfully completing it. We found an escape for the tiring GG & preggo Christy. 

The kids LOVED playing on the fantastic play equipment and climbing walls; enjoyed seeing all the animals; walking the barn and experiencing milking the simulated cow but their favorite attraction and one they displayed MUCH patience in waiting for was the human sling (I have no idea the actual name for this contraption) but it was a hit! The kids laughed and giggled and cheered each other on, but when their turn was over their demeanor quickly turned to outward disappointment in not being successful in doing a front or back flip like they had so hoped to do. 

McKenna spent thee entire time (an hour or more) sliding down the jumbo slide face first and jumping until her heart was content in the bounce house while the "big" kids waited in line for the sling. She would sneak away momentarily to share a hug or rock on someones lap on the porch swing. 

We were so thankful for perfect weather and for a fantastic time with family!

Apple Butter Makin' Days

Several weeks ago (3 to be exact) the kids had Friday off of school so Travis took a personal day and we made a mini vacation of sorts out of our three day weekend. We traveled South to GG's house in Springfield. Thursday morning we drove to Mt. Vernon, Mo to experience Apple Butter Makin' Days.

What is Apple Butter Makin' Days about? 

Well ...

If you mustache {must ask - ha!} - hat purchased from the sweetest couple who made beautiful monogrammed pillow cases, hats, et al. 

It is one of Missouri's most popular festivals filled with cooking apple butter on the courtyard lawn 

Don't mind the complete stranger who swooped up Little Miss as if she was his own grandchild, talking to her and explaining the whole apple butter making process.

Rows and rows of craft and trade booths with amazing artistry, textile goods, home decor and SO much more. I'm still kicking myself for not purchasing a fun, original Halloween painted plank and an amazing coffee sack cross body purse. The above "craft" is one we all got a chuckle from. 

Face painting done affordably!

 Live entertainment AND the fOOd!!

We gorged on foot long hot dogs, pizza, corn on the cob, lemonade and of course funnel cake!

What is a festival or fair without funnel cake?
And more so, what is Apple Butter Makin' Days without leaving with a jar of fresh, sweet made Apple Butter? Yummmm!!

Aunt Shari bought the girls these cute halos made from pipe cleaners, tinsel & ribbon. Ms. G looks pretty stinkin' cute wearing it if I do say so myself. 

Stay tuned for day 2 of our fun :)