Fall Fun

I love California in the fall. I love that the weather is cooler but not cold, comfortable jeans and sweatshirt weather. We've had a rainy streak the past week where we've been stuck playing indoors so we've been trying to take advantage of the sunny, semi-warm, dry days. There are numerous pumpkin patches/harvest festival places to visit around us. Last weekend we thought it would be fun to get Luke out of the house and experience picking his own pumpkin. The place was huge with tons of activities for all ages - petting zoo, games, rides, craft booths, hayrides, pumpkin picking, etc. Unfortunately, it was also over-priced (in my opinion). Luckily for us, Luke had a blast just walking around looking at everything! He's a cheap date.

Photo op. by the pumpkins

Luke, Daddy and an enormous pumpkin

Climbing up and down the hay bale pyramid was free and loads of fun

Luke made it all the way to the top - with a little help from Dad

Walking through the pumpkin patch was a bit tricky, watching out for vines and rotting pumpkins - didn't stop us though.

I actually got in on one of the pictures, proving that I am part of these excursions

We ended up having a terrific time, wearing ourselves out and spending nothing more than about an hour or so of our time. Perfect Saturday afternoon adventure.

Every year the mom's group at our church has a costume parade for the kiddos at The Village - an assisted living community in Redlands. The kids get to dress up and "trick or treat" around the tables in the fellowship area while the residents are having coffee time. We went last year but Luke didn't quite grasp the concept seeing as he was only 6 months old. This year he had a blast! We were loaned a costume from friends from church - Thanks Odenbaughs!! At first Luke wanted nothing to do with dressing up. He was fascinated by the costume but didn't want to wear it.

So, Matt decided to model it, hoping that might spark Luke's interest. I think it just freaked him out more.

Fortunately, the day of the costume parade Luke saw all the other kids dressed up and was happy to participate. He made one of the cutest aliens I have ever seen!

Enjoying a halloween cookie

Showing me the pumpkin and little scarecrow

"Trick or Treating" by the residents' doors with Aliyah and Olivia - he couldn't wait for me to get the wrappers off the candy before stuffing himself... that might make for some interesting/colorful diapers in the next day or so.

In spite of having just absorbed a week's worth of sugar, he was pooped and cashed out on the way home- that's the telltale sign that he had a great time!