Out in the Patch

We made it to the pumpkin patch on a totally perfect autumn day, and Grandma Hampton happened to be in town! We headed straight to the field behind the fields, where the biggest and the best are.

Grandma was glad to have a little buddy!


The boys check very thoroughly to make sure the pumpkin is spotless, and worm free!


"This One" he says.


We also finally hit another area gem, Skaneateles lake, for some lunch at a local hamburger joint and to see the gorgeous lake, it's perfectly clear.


This was a really great day. Now we are getting ready for Halloween...and trying to talk Jefferson into wearing a costume, we'll see what happens!

Apple Picking...Whaaaaat?

On the hottest day of the fall season yet this year, we went apple picking not too far away. It was very busy, and not all varieties of apples were ready yet, but we still picked quite a few (as in 21 pounds).

It's a good thing daddy came along, otherwise we couldn't have reached the good ones!


Ben kept cool in the shade.


Jefferson was just a sweaty mess, but he didn't seem to mind, apple picking got him out of his afternoon nap. He was super cute saying, "apple picking, whaaaaaat?!"


When we got home with all our apples, we went right to work to make our first ever apple sauce. I peeled the apples while Hannah and Ben sliced and diced with butter knives.


It was delicious, hope you get out and enjoy the season! Next up, my favorite: pumpkin picking!

Three to School

Thursday was the first day of school for all the kids! Hannah is a school pro going off to 2nd grade, Ben was super excited for Kindergarten (so excited he couldn't sleep the night before), and Jefferson went to preschool with mommy for the first time.


I hope he always looks this happy to be going to school!


Oh, she is so grown up sometimes.


All the kids had a wonderful day at school, and we're still getting the smaller details out little by little. On the homefront...peace and quiet, and I feel sane again!

Fair Day!

We haven't been up to much lately around here. Just hanging back and enjoying the summer. One of the best ways to enjoy the end of summer here is to check out the state fair, which we have not done in a few years. It was Jefferson's first time, and we're pretty sure he loved it!

We saw plenty of all these fun animals.


Jefferson went "fishing" and picked out an adorable purple monkey for his prize.


We tried to see as many free shows as we could. One of them was "Zuma Zuma African Acrobats". Maybe you saw them on America's Got Talent? They were pretty awesome.


Hannah managed to handle herself around the stinkiness long enough to see some pigs. The babies were very cute.


And...Benjamin tried his hand at balloon darts to win himself an Angry Bird. He did pretty well, but daddy had to step in and help out at the end, the Angry Bird wasn't free you know...


We all had a great time, tried some yummy food: shrimp on a stick, corn dogs, grilled corn on the cob, fish lollipops, fudge, a burger on a glazed donut, and ice cream of course. It was such a good day, the kids are already planning their trip back next year!