Pumpkin Patch

I found out our Bi-Zi farms pumpkin patch opened the last week of September and decided the sooner we go the better with unpredictable baby and weather coming. So Saturday morning after a french toast family breakfast we loaded up the van and got to the pumpkin patch 10 minutes before it opened. Once in we went straight to the tractor to get our pumpkins. I've never been to Bi-Zi farms opening weekend so we had our pick of any size, color or shape pumpkin. Trevor took the pumpkins to the van and then we made our way to all our favorite activities. There were no crowds. The kids were the only ones in the corn pit for awhile. There were a few clouds in the sky when we first got there, but then the sun burned them all away and it was hot and sunny. This is always my favorite fall family activity.

We took this right before we left. They have a little photo area set up.

 Tractor to the pumpkins

 Russell's find

 TJ's find (he wanted a ghost pumpkin this year)

 Family Photo on the hay tower

 Amelia's find

 The kids favorite place to play

 The corn was new so they all got covered in corn dust.

 making chicken feed with corn

 playing with the goats

A few other happenings in September

Here are just a few things we did during September...

 Family Home Evening at the Park (making the best of our sunny weather)

 

 This is our Lego world (we've kept it a little more under control now that school has started)

 My last 18 of the season at 34 weeks pregnant (yes I did have a cart)

 Touring the Portland Temple Visitor Center with Grandma after the Primary Program

 the kids loved the interactive touch screens

Happy Birthday Trevor

For Trevor's birthday we went to the beach house for the weekend with Grandma Kathy and Papa Dean. Trevor got breakfast in bed, a delicious cheese cake with Lilikoi sauce, and a stake dinner. Grandma fed us all well. Even though it was overcast we enjoyed time on the beach watching the kites for the kite festival. We played in the pool, played Uno and watched movies. Trevor and Papa took a few hikes with the boys looking for Big Foot. Trevor brought up his long board for fun and enjoyed bike riding with Papa and the boys.  We even took a private tour of the local fire station (we met the chief at the local bakery, and he invited us to tour it with him).

 That is Pizza dough flying from Amelia's fingers. Grandma is tossing her dough in the air.

 On the playground

 TJ and Russell in front of one of the really cool kites on the beach

 Mom and I are walking on the far right

 Fun and interesting kites

 This tiger was probably the length of three trucks

 The chief let the boys put on the whole uniform

 already for church and waiting on the steps reading ocean books

Preschool

Russell and Amelia started preschool with Mrs. Connie and Mrs. Carol this September. They both enjoy going, and I enjoy a few hours to myself twice a week. Those hours to myself will be gone in 5 weeks, but it will be good bonding time with baby then. These pictures were taken on their first day.

 

First Day of School

 I made pancakes for TJ's first day of school. He was up and dressed early for his big day. Dad went into work a little late so he could go with me to take TJ to his class. He had a great day, but said it was a little long. It will take him a while to get used to being at school all day. As I approach my due date you will not be seeing pictures of me on this blog until after the baby is born:)

TJ's current teacher is more pregnant than me. Her substitute teacher is a friend and neighbor of mine. We taught summer school together when I was working in the Vancouver School district. She will be a fantastic teacher for TJ until January.

Labor Day at Alderbrook

We spent Labor Day at Alderbrook park as a family. We all enjoyed our time in the beautiful weather. We've really had a fantastic summer. The boys were so busy playing with Trevor I didn't get many pictures of them. They had free face painting so Amelia became a tiger.

Amelia at the petting zoo area with the bunnies

She made a very cute tiger.

The boys paddle boating with Trevor

Trevor and I thought her make-up looked especially cute while she slept in the car. The day actually ended sadly. While miniture golfing TJ hit his ball in some bushes and upset a bees nest. He ended up getting 15 stings all over his body. Luckily friends had some medicine and we took him home right away. The stings healed quickly and he is doing fine now. TJ is showing his stings in the car but you can't see them from this picture. He had about 7 on his right arm alone.