Desert Botanical Gardens Pumpkin Patch

I love this time of year . . . the weather is cooler, the boys can play outside any time of the day, football is on TV, and the holidays are just around the corner.  This year is even more special to me because we will be able to enjoy it with more family.  The Smalley's have moved back to Arizona!!!  We are all super excited to be able to spend time with all of them!!  Our first tradition of the year was to go to the pumpkin patch at the Desert Botanical Gardens.  It's a great little festival and the boys each got to pick out a pumpkin and play games.  They had a blast.  Plus, their cousins were able to go.  (Except for the newest cousin - Rylan.  Hopefully next year!!!)

Jacob

Ronan and Jacob searching for the perfect pumpkin

Caleb found his!

Teresa had to roll hers!

Ronan found his!

Micah dragging his . . .

Calen and the pony in the petting zoo

Caleb caught a chicken!

I think the pig was a little unsure

Until Ronan offered food.

Micah, Teresa, Caleb, Aidan, Jacob and Ronan

That's right . . .

It's that time again . . . .

Have mud, will play!!!!

Pretty self explanatory . . .

Raspberry Picking!!

Apparently we DO have wild raspberries growing in AZ!!  I was SO excited to find that out.  Also surprised that my mom, queen of the mountains, didn't know about them.  We headed up last Friday in search of the berries.  It was an awesome day of hiking with the boys and Grammie and Papa.  Our first stop brought up zero.  However, after lunch we hit the rim and found a ton of plants.  They were loaded with berries, but majority of them were not ripe.  That's OK.  We had a blast and picked enough.   Too many pics to label, but I think they are pretty self explanatory.  Enjoy!

California, here we come!

We recently were blessed with an awesome trip to California.  All of Cody's family went - Gramps, Farmor, Aunt Jamie, Uncle Travis, (soon - to - be) Aunt Raquel and our family.  First stop, Steve and Karen Eckbergs in Placentia.  We had a wonderful dinner with them Sunday night.  Then on Monday it was off to Disneyland!!!!  The boys had a blast and I had a great time seeing it through their eyes.  On Tuesday, we continued north the Turlock to visit Grandpa Bill, Shirley and our good friends Tim, Jill, Ty and Jamie.  What an awesome visit!  The boys had a blast!!!  The pics are out of order - first our time in Turlock and then Disney.