"Decorating our Pumpkins"

Well, we finally got around to "decorating" our pumpkins. We decided to do the "decorating" idea again this year, maybe next year we'll try to actually carve one or two. We were planning on it, but ran out of time! I didn't have any luck getting pics of the kiddos actually decorating their pumpkins, but got the before & after. (the pumpkins in order on the bench: Austen's, Caitlen's & Brooklen's)

Halloween Party
This year DJ & I were invited to the Wolrab’s annual Halloween party. I guess this is the 3rd year for the Wolrab’s Halloween party, but it’s the first year we have been able to go. We were not sure what to go as so, we went out on a limb & went as Bikers. It’s been so long since we’ve been out on the bike, that it IS a costume, plus I added the wig & DJ added some tattoos. We had a LOT of fun and they had the best decorations! Here are some photos from home before we headed out & some from the party. Thanks Stacy & Vince, we can’t wait for next year!

While we were getting ready the kiddos wanted to put on du-rags also. They look so cute! Here is a nice family photo.

Bloomsbury Farm~ it's a Pumpkin Patch & More!

Last Saturday we took the kiddos the Bloomsbury Farm. It's a farm about 45 minutes away that has so much for the kids to do. We decided to go after nap, which only gave us a couple of hours to spend at the farm (at 7:00pm it become the Haunted Corn Maze) we definitely could have spent more time there. On the way we picked up both Grandma's to join in the FUN!

When you walk in they have a sign: How tall this Fall

I thought it'd be great to get a picture of the kids & we could compare each year- they weren't cooperating. (They also have a sign when you leave: "Please leave with the same number of children as you came with" I should have taken a picture of that- I thought it was funny!)

Those funny cut-outs for the whole family. I think Nanna got a pic with everyone looking, but I don't have it on the computer.

There were Barnyard buddies: goats, donkeys, chickens, cows, pigs and more for the kiddos to see. Fun trikes and tractor toys to ride around on. Austen giving Brooklen a ride, too cute! First, he checks to make sure she is on & then off they went.

There was the great Bloomsbury Barrel Train Express that the kids LOVED!! We had a tough time getting Austen off! A corn maze. I couldn't believe how tall the corn was, I'd bet 11 feet high- no kidding! Then we ate dinner at the Pumpkin Grill cafe, picked out our pumpkins (sorry, I didn't get any pictures of that, the kiddos were kind of ready to head home & all going in different directions). It was a lot of fun & we can't wait to go back next year!

Homemade Apple Crisp
I was so excited to make homemade apple crisp with the apples we got from the orchard yesterday that I decided to blog about it. It turned out yummy! (Note: we had so many apples I tripled the recipe.)
Question: Which do you prefer apple crisp or apple pie? Take the quiz on my sidebar. ** Apple Crisp won 9 to 6 over Apple Pie!**

What you'll need....
5 cups sliced, peeled and cored apples.
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup regular rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter (softened)
First you peel, slice and core your apples. I borrowed my sister's Apple (& potato) Peeler & I LOVE it!!
It was so easy to use. Just put the apple on the end & turn the crank.It peels, slices & cores the apple for you.How awesome is this?! And easy clean up.Then place your apple slices in 8x8 dish. (or bigger if you used more apples) Mix together sugar, oatmeal, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon & cut in butter.
Sprinkle over your sliced applesBake at 375 for approximate 30 minutes.
Enjoy!

Mr. Wilson's Apple Orchard
Yesterday, we went to the Apple Orchard. I borrowed a wagon from my friend, Michelle (thanks, it worked great) and asked my sister, Kim, if she'd like to join us. I asked Kim to join us for a few reasons:
1.) I thought she'd enjoy seeing my kiddos run around the apple orchard. I know the orchard is one of her favorite places to take her kids and I thought she'd love to see my kiddos there for the first time.
2.) She knows how to get to the orchard. Always, easier to have someone along that knows where they are going.
3.) She could help me wrangle in the kiddos. Open field + 3 two year olds (could) = disaster.
What I didn't expect was for us to have our own personal photographer! She got some really GREAT pics of the kiddos wandering the apple orchard~ huge THANK YOU Kim, I love all the pics!!
Here are just a few......
Kiddos running up the hill. "Wait up girls!"

Austen searching for the perfect apple, moving the branches out of his way.

Caitlen thinks she's found the perfect apple- "right there, that one!"

Brooklen pausing to see what treasures may be hidden on the ground.

I think it's so cute when they hold hands. Caitlen leading the way with the basket, Brooklen loves to hold hands with the other 2 so, I wasn't surprised she was in the middle & Austen carrying his apples.

This is my favorite picture~ I just LOVE it!

Enjoying some sliced apples while Momma & Aunt Kim buy apples & apple dip =) It was great that they were handing out apple slices, it gave me time to look in the little shop, not much time, but a little.

Is it really October already?
Where did September go??
Ok, I had a plan to blog yesterday, didn't get to it... so, I thought I'd blog today.... I've got SICK kiddos!! YUCK! =( Everyone is feeling yucky & it was a LOOONNNNGGG night. I don't think I got an uninterrupted hour of sleep! Austen has croup & both the girls are all stuffed up. I'm taking Austen to the doctor this morning & I'll see how the girls are doing once they are up. I'm not ready for cold season! I really hope these colds don't hold on forever, you know how some colds last a long time.... maybe we'll get lucky & be done with them before the weekend.

Anyway, it's kind of a rainy, yucky day today, but overall it's been beautiful. Well, actually, a little warm for me, but I know it'll be cold before too long. I hope everyone is enjoying the warm Autumn. I'm excited (hopeful) to get to a Pumpkin Patch & maybe an Apple Orchard soon, we'll just have to wait & see.

Here are a few photos of my sick kiddos. Yep, we are all geared up for Halloween, wearing our festive t-shirts.