Holmberg Apple Orchard

Sunday after Sunday School we ventured off to a local apple orchard.

We haven't been here before so we weren't to sure what to expect, but we were not disappointed.

First was face painting.

Then was balloon creature making.

Then the kids all measured themselves next to the big apple. 

The most fun was the boat fill full of corn kernels.

All 3 had a blast doing playing in this.

Then the hay ride around the orchard to see the apple trees and to the pumpkin patch.

Halloween 2013

This years Halloween we had Elmo, Minnie Mouse, and Spiderman.

We ventured to a local church that was hosting a Fall Festival.

We went here last year too and again had so much fun - and we still got lots of candy!

Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin Carving was the activity for the day.

It was a new adventure for me and the kids. I think I have only carved 3 or 4 pumpkins in my life, so I am by no means "good" at this!!  We did not do this a whole lot in my family growing up.

I thought Gracelyn and Zach might enjoy this.

And they did... until they had to get their hands all slimy and gooey.

It didn't help that the pumpkins and been outside and it was fairly cold out - meaning the insides of the pumpkins were pretty cold too.

Jared tried to help out too.

We saved the pumpkins seeds and I baked them later on. The kids thought they were great!

Jared tried to eat the raw pumpkin. What a weirdo!

No crazy carvings for us, just the standard. 

We decided next year we would be sure to have Daddy help - and he get the gooey guts out of the pumpkins, we would just to the fun stuff like popping out the eyes and nose.

And our Master Pieces - my three little pumpkins!

Pumpkin Painting

Tis the holiday season of decorating pumpkins. 

Today's activity: painting pumpkins. 

Even Jared got to participate, and fun he had!

Girls Night Out 2013

Girls night out... AKA Momma and her girls!

Last year we went to a play. This year was the Miranda Lampert concert at the XCel Energy Center who was opening act was Dirks Bently.

The evening started with a meal at a local St. Paul hub. It was good.

Then we stopped at another hub for some drinks... just water for me... I have this baby belly thing going on you know.

Then onto the concert.

 We had nose-bleed seats, but it was still good.

I would say Dirks Bently was more entertaining than Miranda - but overall a good time.

I have not been to a concert in like 15 years so it was fun to be in the 'concert' atmosphere.

Then of course the company of my sisters and mother is the best ever!!!

Here is Grandma's hand (the red fingernails) on her unborn newest Grandson! (and my hand)

What will be the event for next year?? I can't wait.

Helping Mommy in the Pumpkin Patch

It was time to pick those beautiful pumpkins and gourds.

The two older kiddos were at school so that left me with my youngest helper: Mr. Jared.

He actually helped me pretty good and I think he had a pretty good time. 

He got the concept that I wanted the gourds in the wagon and away he went at putting them there.

Then of course the wagon ride was the best part of all!!!

This is how I found him when I checked on him for his nap.

This isn't the way he originally laid down. Such a goofy kid!

Little Lions Soccer

Miss Gracelyn's first sporting activity: Little Lions Soccer

This consists of the 1st through 3rd graders at school.

They had practice once a week on Wednesday's after school for an hour. 

Then they had 3 scrimmages where they played against each other. 

Gracelyn is the one in the blue jersey and white pants.

I think she has some bravery/being aggressive issues... but given this was her first exposure to soccer she did pretty good and overall had a good time!