Patchin' Take Two

We tried to get our whole family to the pumpkin patch several times during the month of October. Things kept popping up and company kept filling our weekends so we didn't actually make it to the patch until 4 days before Halloween. If it wasn't for tradition's sake, we might have skipped the family outing altogether this year and counted the preschool field trip instead. But our boys are sticklers about traditions and insisted that October wouldn't be October without running through rows of orange pumpkins.

Of course, if a mom goes to the pumpkin patch and doesn't take pictures, did it really happen? 

I sprained my ankle running through rows of pumpkins in order to capture my baby in action, but I'd say it was worth it.

Blake showed Finn the ropes of driving tractors, being the expert tractor driver he is.

Nash was all about the relaxation in random places, as per usual.

Crew didn't find those wheelbarrels quite as comfortable.

We couldn't resist the challenge of the corn maze before calling it a night. 

And with that, we could officially move on to Halloween festivities with the peace of mind that we didn't skip any October traditions. Now if only I could convince them that pumpkin carving is not a tradition that needs to be repeated every year.

Visitors = Beach Days

Once Crew got his cast off and could fully participate in beach activities once again, we couldn't get enough of the ocean. Starting in mid-October, we had different rounds company stay with us five weekends in a row (which fed into my delayed documentation). Of course, most of them wanted to soak up the beach right along with us. 

Our second round of visitors came to watch the Cubs play against the Dodgers in the playoffs. We've known them since their twins and Nash were babies.

The kids picked right back up as friends and made up beach games by day and skits and performances by night.

Crew reveled in his castless freedom.

We explored the caves and tide pools a bit at one of our favorite beaches.

Blake and Nash insisted on carrying all of the sand and seashell treasures they collected back to our beach chairs. It took two of them to manage the weight.

We went boogie boarding one last time before "California winter" hit.

Meanwhile, back at shore, Finn camped out with his dad under the umbrella so he could harass him for snacks and giggle at his reflection in Troy's sunglasses.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Everyone is happiest at the beach. 

Cast Off Celebration

After six weeks of avoiding some of Crew's favorite things; pools, beaches, excessive handwashing and impromptu baths (without the use of Press'n Seal wrap), it was finally time to ditch the cast.

We headed straight to the ocean to celebrate.

We no longer had to worry about sand or water getting in his cast and I don't know who was happier; Crew or me. We both did the happy dance along the shore.

Preschool at the Patch

Our first visit to the pumpkin patch was with Crew's preschool. Yes, I'm still playing catch up and posting about the pumpkin patch in January. I'm determined to get caught up in a somewhat chronological order.

Anyway, preschool friends combined with a field trip put Crew into pure excitement mode. His enthusiasm for just about anything makes him so fun to be around.

And what little boy doesn't want to go on a tractor pulled hayride?

Finn wasn't sure about the bumps and turns.

Thankfully he had his older brother along to ease his fears and get him in the field trip spirit.

We hit up the corn maze.

Where the boys got all sorts of dirty.

We fit right in at the even dirtier petting zoo.

We only walked through the actual pumpkin patch for a few minutes at the end of the field trip, and then continued on our way to Trader Joes where the pumpkins were 1/10th of the price.

We made plans to come back and run around the patch when Blake and Nash could join us.