Pumpkin Patch

Both Christian and Noah had been asking and looking forward to going to the pumpkin patch for several weeks. We decided to go after Christian's soccer game, and it was a BEAUTIFUL day for it.

We started on the slide....

and stayed here for quite some time. They all three loved it, however, you would definitely question Noah's enjoyment by his clutching of the side on the way down. When he would get to the bottom, he would stand up, and do his little jump up and down with a giggle and then RUN to do it all over again.

We moved onto the photo taking area, which proved to be a bit harder than in the past...

not so difficult of just the three of them, but you throw me in the mix and it ALL goes downhill in a hurry!

They like the 'playground' area, especially the stacked tires...we saw many other families that we knew there, so it was just fun to watch them play.

There was a lot of this...JUMPING off one tire to the next, he was very pleased with himself.

 Christian really wanted to do the giant slingshot, that flung little gourds towards targets....and shooting potato gun. Noah got to try it out too...they were very happy about that.

And then, onto the actual pumpkin patch.

Noah and Christian each picked one out.

Daddy had a heavy load to haul back, including a large pumpkin he was carrying.

Another great time at Papa's Pumpkin Patch...

I look forward to it just as much as they do, and to hear Jonah talk about it for WEEKS afterwards confirms they all three enjoy this tradition.

Fall has arrived

Getting to stay at home with these two is a good thing...in my mind. 

Its also a really good thing, that fall is trying to arrive! 

We spent a chunk of time outside just playing in the leaves and looking at them.

Happy happy boys!

My little artist loves to paint with watercolors. I draw a picture (I look off an image, I am not an artist!)...and he will paint it!

Happy Birthday Ben!

Happy Birthday Ben!!

We had pancakes, bacon and eggs for breakfast. Opened a few gifts. Christian's soccer game at 11:00. Came home, and then went to Ben's cousin's wedding reception in Harper (with a pit stop at a Barn Sale along the way...literally only bought food for everyone!). 

We celebrated with family the night after, at Mom and Dad's house...since our house is a bit under construction.  (Both upstairs bathrooms are being completely redone and we are awaiting carpet installation...which has kept our bed in the middle of the basement living room..all in which is not ideal for company!)

He requested beef and chicken enchiladas (mom made the chicken ones) with fresh homemade salsa. 

And cherry cheesecake and/or lemon bars for dessert :)

Happy Birthday Ben....we all love you very much!

Homecoming

There was a different kind of homecoming this year, as both the high school and college joined together.

Wednesday night, there was a pulled pork meal and parade. The kids were a fan of the parade...there was not a shortage of candy! And the big firetruck at the end had someone extra special that got quite the reaction from our section of the crowd. 

And its possibly one of the funniest/cutest things that Jonah does right now...

he does not refer to them as fire truck, but rather just a "wheee-oo--whee-ooo". 

On Friday night, we went to the high school football game...

Christian was the junior candidate. He did so good..and looked so handsome :)

And they had a very impressive fireworks show after the game!!

(photo: The Hesston Record)

Pam Weaver Photography

Pam Weaver Photography

Pam Weaver Photography

 After the game, Ben and I met up with our friends that were in town for the weekend. 

Lindsay, Steph and I...all with growing babies inside!

Mom & the Boys

Ben had a continuing education class Friday night and Saturday until mid afternoon.

Saturday morning was Christian's first soccer game...and he had a lot of fun!

He was p-r-e-t-t-y excited about his new cleats and shin guards he got this week.

We came home for awhile, but in the afternoon we were all ready for something different to do. I had read there was an event happening at the small McPherson airport. So we decided to check it out while Daddy was still busy. It ended up being kind of a dud..BUT all three of them did get to sit in a plane and the pilot explained how to fly! They really enjoyed that part, so as far as they were concerned it was fun.

As we were heading home, I called Ben and he was just getting home. There is still much to do with our bathroom(s) remodel. So he agreed that it would be fine if I would find something else for the boys and myself to do away from the house. Christian had heard about the state fair from school..and really wanted to go, so I turned the car around...and we headed to the fair! 

I let Noah and Christian go on one ride together...

of course they would've loved to go on more, but I really didn't know how many they both could handle just by themselves, and/or how to entertain Jonah as they got to go on rides. So one ride it was. We walked for awhile, there were SO many people...too many. We ate...that was a 'treat' in and of itself. Not so much. I definitely have a fresh appreciation for just a glimpse of the single mothers out there. And this was nothing compared to really being a single mom. But goodness...I just needed about 4 more arms and at least one more body to be in different places. 

All of that to say, it actually was kind of fun...we saw various animals, cows being milked, and Christian really wanted to watch some kind of bull judging. I have no idea what they were doing, but Noah and him went to sit down in the bleachers to watch a judge walk around and look at big ol' bulls. We stopped for icecream on the way home...and I officially wore them all out!

Great Grandma Sweigart

Great Grandma and Grandpa Sweigart were in town for a church conference. We were able to see them several times. The one evening, the boys picked out the silliest of silly books for her to read to them...they just love it The Book with No Pictures. They all got a good laugh at it!

Grandpa Get Better

Grandpa needed some help...

he needed visitors and distraction to pass the time while he was in the hospital. I just so happen to have a couple of little boys that can be a distraction...I don't know how much "help" they really were, but we visited anyway!

Without knowing too many specifics even yet, something is 'abnormal' with his skin and/or blood. It was treated as an infection for many days..but that was not the actual problem. Hopefully soon they will know what the issue is, and how to "solve" it. Meanwhile, I have eager visitors to keep him company if Grandpa is around!

We all love you...and bummed that you've had quite the run around trying to get this thing figured out. Glad that you are feeling better, and out of the hospital!