Things just don't slow down 'round here! We've been having such a fun fall, although as I write this it feels like the "leaves & pumpkins" part of fall is behind us - now on to turkey and holiday shopping! As you'll see, we soaked up every last bit of our New England fall, enjoying pumpkin festivals, hayrides, and the crunchy, colorful leaves.
We headed to Wolfe's Neck Farm with Christine and her two girls, Delaney & Allie, for a great pumpkin festival, complete with lots of animals, as always, as well as face painting, an oceanside hayride, pumpkin decorating, and more! It was a gorgeous day and tons of fun.
The hayride stopped at a pumpkin patch, where all the kids could get out and pick their own pumpkin. I love Wolfe's Neck Farm!!!
Payson's been getting very interested in reading to Zoe, and tucking her in with a blanket. She even jumps in from time to time - poor Zoe. First Payson comes and takes all her attention, and now she has to share her dog bed. She puts up with it suprisingly well.
This would have definitely been our 2008 Christmas card picture if only Payson's stubborn streak didn't emerge. She would NOT lay down to partake in this photo (maybe I can't really blame her...)
A couple of weekends ago Stacy and I went on our first ever girls' day trip since the girls were born - a promised birthday gift for Stacy from last April! We only got to it 6 months late, not bad. We went to North Conway for some shopping, lunch, and a little sight-seeing - and it was fantastic. The girls and daddies had fun all day, too! We'll try it again soon since it was such a rousing success.
You know you're a Mainer (read: Redneck?) when... your daughter thinks it's just about the coolest thing in the world to play in the back of daddy's one ton! This is just about a daily event. Who needs toys?
After working his keester off for so many weekends in a row, Matt took a Monday off to spend with us girls. We decided to go apple picking... but got to the orchard to find they were closed = picked out! What a bummer - but they were great, and told us to walk around and enjoy ourselves. So we had an absolute blast playing in the leaves of a big ole sugar maple!
We all got buried...
(love this pic of Matt!)
Zoe trying to catch the leaves.
We went on a (freakin' FREEZING) trip to Pumpkinland with Payson's daycare. Apparently every year they go it is freakin' freezing. This year was no exception, and although we had a little fun, Payson was freakin' freezing and just not herself. We went on another hayride (that's 3 this fall!) and got to pick out another pumpkin in the pumpkin patch! As you can see, Payson's running towards me because it was so freakin' FREEZING.
Jami & Braydon in the patch, after Braydon tripped over a pumpkin and log-rolled across the row of muddy pumpkin, laughing the entire way.
Did I mention Pumpkinland was freakin' freezing?! Payson looks cold, even in this picture! Poor kiddo. Pumpkinland itself was really cool (pun unintended) and we'll look forward to returning next year in hopefully warmer conditions.
My dad and his partner, Pixie, came to visit a couple weeks ago and we headed to another pumpkin festival (who knew they were all the rage?) in Saco and had a blast. Carved and painted pumkins lined the street, and there was a dog costume contest, petting zoo area, kids all over in costumes, food, and a band - a great way for dad and Pixie to soak up New England in the fall.
One of the many displays of pumpkins. I wish we could have stayed later when they lit them all up! Maybe next year.
Know you already marveled over Payson's Halloween costume. Alright, alright, I know it wasn't all that elaborate, but I failed to mention before that Matt and I made the tail and horns. Matt did the tail and sewed it on to Payson's pants, and yes, I - meaning ME - sewed those horns by hand. So there. Aren't you impressed, or a little more, at least?
We'll end with this cute picture from last weekend - after Payson covered up Zoe, she rushed into her room to bring back books to read to Zoe. This one's "Down by the Bay," which she sang. She's been really into singing lately - she now does the ABCs without skipping any letters, and also has "Baa, baa black sheep" down pat. Pretty cute!
