Fall has arrived!!

   I keep saying I'm going to catch up on the blog and it just never happens. I look at all that I've missed and it's just too overwhelming.... so, I've decided to just pick up where we are now and hopefully get around to writing one big summer post.
  It's Fall!!!!!!!! I've been waiting for this time of year for so many reasons, and can't believe it's already here. We went to a pumpkin patch yesterday with some friends and had a blast. It was a small farm which was nice because it wasn't crowded and the kids were able to just get out and run, and they really enjoyed that. it was such a nice day that we decided to come home and spend the evening outside as well. All in all it was a wonderful fall day, the only thing missing was Derek... but not for long.... :D

going to pick pumpkins

where can I get a wagon like this??

I let him out of the stroller and he took off

he liked playing the drums on the giant pumpkins

they ran and ran and ran

we had a few grumpy moments of course

pointing out which pumpkin he wanted

they had fun pulling Eli and the pumpkins around

our pumpkin is as big as him! 

he was trying to pick it up. lol

right after I snapped this he threw it on the ground and said "ball!!" 

these are going to make really good pies :) 

we came home and painted the little pumpkins

i'm pretty sure he tasted the paint... (don't worry, it's non-toxic)

I grilled hotdogs for dinner

gang signs? 

the completed masterpieces 

then we made cookies for dessert

he ate his cookie and kept trying to steal hers

Here's a video of Sophia, the dancing artist.... sometimes i wish i could be inside her head. 

Ansleigh is 5!!!

 I am fully aware that I am WAAAAYYYY behind on blogging, and I am planning a catch-up post soon, but I thought since today was Ansleigh's birthday it would be a good time to get back into it. So,

        HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY ANSLEIGH!!!! 

I can not believe she is 5 already. I know every mom says that, every year... but SERIOUSLY?!? FIVE??? Ansleigh is such a special child. She has the ability to put a smile on anyone's face and can light up a room with hers. Her bubbly, energetic personality brings so much joy to our family and we are so blessed to be a part of her life. Love you Ansleigh, and may this year bring you nothing but the blessings you deserve! 

Now, on to the pictures! :)

We had her party on Saturday, it was
Little Mermaid themed because
her favorite Disney princess is Ariel. 

Her friends that came for the party

Aunt Lori and Uncle Greg even made it to the
party all the way from Georgia! 

I'm pretty sure this was her favorite part. 

Eli really enjoyed his cupcake.....
and the sugar rush that followed

Presents!! 

Typical Ansleigh picture

It was a great time :) 

Garden Update

The garden is out of control!!! lol, we have squash and cucumbers growing like crazy out there. Today we went out and picked some veggies and I did some much needed weeding. We ended up with way more cucumbers than we can eat ourselves so the girls suggested that we take some to the neighbors. They were so cute, I put them in a bag and sent them next door while I stood on the porch with Eli. They were giggling and kept telling me "don't talk mommy, we're going to do it all by ourselves!!" Sophia was so shy, she said "I'm kind of scared, what if they laugh at me??" But Ansleigh was so ready to tell them that she had cucumbers for them that she kept forgetting what they were called. When the neighbor came to the door they all just stood there and looked over at me to do the talking... I decided to keep quiet and see how they handled themselves, Ansleigh made a weird nervous grunt while holding the bag out and Alyssa started grabbing cucumbers out and handing them to the man with a huge smile on her face while Sophia sort of hid behind a pillar on the porch. It was so cute and he was just laughing and saying "these are for me? thank you!!" They were so proud of their hard work and can't wait to give out more vegetables to the neighborhood. This garden has been a blessing in more ways than I had imagined. My kids are learning where out food comes from, they're eating healthy snacks straight from the back yard, and now they are learning how good it feels to give to others and hopefully some confidence with talking to strangers too. I took some pictures today, they aren't great because the sun is so high right now, but it's the only time I'll have to get pictures today.

Squash and zucchini

flower on squash plant

eggplant

very first eggplant is growing!

cucumber plants

tomato plants are HUGE!!

just waiting on them to ripen 

cherry tomatoes!!!

beans

flower on beans

peas (had a couple more of these but lost them today
while Ansleigh was "helping" me weed the garden, oops)

tomatoes are taller than Sophia!