Pumpkin Patch [2014]

We went to the pumpkin patch today.

Good weather...lots of pumpkins...lots of playing...lots of pictures. 

Here are a few :)

Noah [faces]

This child is FULL of personality.

Not that I would expect any less...but it is REALLY starting to shine :)

He is full of sass, spunk, and orneriness...

with a good dose of serious/determination and sweetness :)

I've noticed over the last month or so, he really has a variety of faces to reflect this!

Noah...you are a mess...and we love you....silly little boy!

Christian [just an update]

The closer it gets to the newest little brother arriving, the more you seem to get older faster.

You can be such a great helper.

You have some sass to ya.

You certainly are silly at times (undie hats!!)

You definitely have a sweet, tender side too.

You thrive off of praise.

You can be very passionate (some might call this particular, bossy, fussy even at times). 

You can be unpredictable (especially when you have deemed Olive Garden as your favorite place to eat!)

Christian, you are growing up so fast.

But you'll always be my baby :)

A project day

We had a project kind of day..

We made a couple different kinds of "punkins"...one of Noah's favorite words right now, and then other various fall like things. It was random, but they both seemed to enjoy it in their own way.

Noah...makes a mess.

Christian...a bit more particular and likes to see the finished product.

Some of our creations on the window. 

I actually really like the sun catchers with tissue paper...they turned out really pretty.

My boys

Just some random pictures of the boys....

We checked out the little park in back of the college church the other day...

Noah is a little to little for it, but he enjoyed the cookies I brought along anyway!

Christian was trying to 'convince' Noah that he should go through the sprinkler. When I asked what he was telling him, he had a very suspicious face and said, "ohhh nothing...I'm just kiddin'."

Christian took this picture of Noah and I.

Crazy boys and their silly hats!

Christian has been requesting Olive Garden for awhile now. 

Sitting across from them and watching them talk...it was crazy how much they were looking like each other!

 These two..they keep the days full of activity...and my heart full of love.

Kind of hard to think of what one more boy will bring to this family!

He's 30!

Ben turned 30 this year!

He's such a grown up now.

The boys and I surprised him at work in the morning of his birthday with a couple balloons and chocolate chip cookies. Christian had said he was going to sing "Happy Birthday" to him when we got in, but said, "I hope I don't get to nervous." He said the 'happy birthday' part....and then turned to me and said, "I did get to nervous. I just can't do it." Poor buddy..can't blame you.

For his 30th...he got THREE parties.

The first party was with my family. They came over for a Mexican meal and cherry cheesecake (Ben's choice). We ate, played outside, and opened presents. It was a good night.

Next, we celebrated with our friends. 

We went out to eat and then came back to our house for dessert...Tollhouse Pie.

I'm grateful for these friends...2 of the 4 couples are moving away in just a few months, so its even more special to get these times together in!

And the last party, was with Ben's family. His Grandpa Hershberger wasn't feeling well, so he couldn't make it..and Sam has just recently moved to CO. We had lasagna and peach cobbler for dessert. Grandpa H. played with the boys for awhile after supper...they were sure playing hard and having fun!

Oh how I am thankful for Ben, and his 30 years of life!

I can't imagine our lives without him...and all he does for our family.

Love you Ben!!