Sweet Berry Pumpkin Patch #2 - fixed the pictures!

Love this before and after, look at Cole going for it and innocent Caden doesn't know ;( 

Thats not me laughing because its funny by the way...

Ok, these are possibly some of my all time favorites--

The precious baby is one reason and also because I finally figured out how to get that "blurry background" look on my camera...it has to do with the zoom lens I (actually Collin) got last Christmas and being enough distance away from the subject who is also far enough away from the background...

Very seriously selecting flowers to cut

And another fun with babies before and after...hmm this looks yummy...

Yep a little closer...

Perfect, thanks Dad!

Had to put in one more of those cool gourds..

And a few more of my littlest pumpkin patch visitor...

One more before and after :)

Man, there is soo much fun stuff to eat around here!

Sweet Berry Pumpkin Patch #1- fixed the pictures

I am about to make up for my lack of posts big time!

Today I convinced Collin to take a half day so we could make a trip out to Marble Falls and visit Sweet Berry Farm! We had soo much fun, and it was great timing with the cold front. Its actually the first time I've ever been to a pumpkin patch when it felt like Fall!

Going through the corn maze...

Hurray we made it to the bell at the end! Even Cole go to ring it (we are all about fairness over here)

Petting the goats is always a hit at this place-

These gourds were soo cool this year! They are actually growing just like that from the top of the structure. They told me this was a dipper gourd b/c it was used back in the day for a giant ladle. You can imagine all of the Little House on the Prairie notions this stirred in my inner 8 year old heart.

Handsome boys

I think that Caleb's spirit resembles the Cheshire Cat somewhat...

its in the grin

Caleb's favortie part:: the "train" ride...sooo cute and since there was no one there at the time, Farmer Leroy gave the boys their own private ride~

Meanwhile Cole and Daddy had some fun together...

That baby donkey was only 19 days old...all I could think of was how big it must have been when it was born. I suppose childbirth memories must still be pretty fresh on my mind or something.

FYI, the fine print on that sign says, 

"Warning: Adorable, Handsome, and very very taken."

Cole is "crawling"

Ok ok, so he is really scooting. But, it won't be long! My baby is growing up :( and  :) Mommies have very mixed feelings about this kind of thing-

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Moms need an out. You know something to think about that isn't related to whats for dinner, or potty training, or sibling rivalry issues, or whether they should institute underwear rules because 5 times a day each child goes to get a new pair every time they take off a pair to go to the bathroom.
My out is my garden. I know, its kind of still a maternal thing. I'm already "growing kids" and really these silly plants seem to consume just as much energy. Ideally I was going to plant them and see what happens. But oh no. I walk outside to check on them every morning. I even sent a soil sample away to have it tested. (although this is apparently a must do if you want to garden effectively) When you drag three children into Lowes at 9 am on your way to a playdate/Bible study group so that you can just pick up some soil acidifier /chelated iron supplement you know you have a problem.

Oh well, at least its growing!

Our first squash!

Three!

When in the world did this little baby

turn into this great big three year old!??

Birthday celebrations happened all week over here!
This is a prebirthday cupcake celebration with Grammy!

If you are wondering what to get a three year old boy, may I recommend a bunch of balloons?

The "birthday cake" was the topic of discussion between Caden and Caleb aaaalllll week long.
Would we make it with green icing or blue?
Rainbow dots inside or strawberry flavor?
And the one thing Caleb never ever waivered on?
Sprinkles. It had to have sprinkles!
Here's the final product:

That would be a cherished "birthday crown" from his Community Bible Study class.

Cole didn't get any cake, but he was very excited about his macaronis and peas-

We capped off the night unwrapping a Cars race car set from Grandma and Grandpa that was a big hit and opening sweet birthday cards from Giggi, and all of his Great Grandparents.

Sweet sweet Caleb! What a joy-filled, energy packed, loving boy you are!
You keep us laughing and on our toes. As I type this, I just sat back down from wiping my makeup from all over your face. Apparently we thought it was bedtime and you decided it would still be playtime!
At three, you are talking up a storm! The best part about this is that you usually say ch instead of c so we hear a lot of "Chaychin", "Baby Chole".
You have started wearing "big boy" underwear and done a great job of using the potty. Especially when there are m&ms at stake. Usually you bargain with me from getting just 1 m&m as a reward to 5! Speaking of candy, your favorite thing right now is a dancing gummy bear on you tube. You and Caden love to put on the gummy bear song and run around the kitchen/living room in circles.
You are a fantastic big brother and love to see babies. You say things like, "Aww a baby. So sweet. Mommy, a beautiful baby."
We love to look at the moon together before bed. And unlike your brother whose head hits the pillow and starts snoring, you take a long time to unwind which usually means multiple sesiosns of singing "lullaby", changing your diaper, getting your animals arranged, and escorting you back to your bed. My favorite thing is when we lay down to sing and pray before bed, you say to me, "Ok Mommy, close your eyes and go to sleep." And then when I finally leave and tell you goodnight, you always make sure to ask if we can make marshmallow pancakes in the morning.
We love you big three year old boy!