Pumpkin Patch...

Even though the weather had been unseasonably warm our front porch was still in need of pumpkins so it was off to our local pumpkin patch for a little fall fun. 

Adam finally conquered his fears and walked through the "scary bus." Harper didn't seem to mind it at all - ha - and took several trips through it as well.  

They crawled through tunnels, climbed on haystacks, jumped in a moon bounce and of course - picked out pumpkins. 

Always one of my favorite purchases and of the year - especially since it comes with an hours worth of free entertainment (and the perfect picture taking backdrop!) 

Fun at the Pumpkin Patch...

Adam had been waiting for this day all fall - our annual visit to the pumpkin patch at Meadows Farms. He is so funny like that - we've been to some legit pumpkin patches where you actually pick your pumpkin from a vine - and yet his earliest pumpkin patch memories are from Meadows and so it's always his request. I love how he embraces traditions like that - wonder where he gets that from?! ;)

It was a beautiful and crisp fall morning and we had the place all to ourselves. Harper was pretty mesmerized by all the pumpkins in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. 

The boys had fun going down the tube slide - smiles all around. Adam is such a good big brother helping Harper climb the haystack ladder and helping him onto the slide. 

Every year Adam talks about wanting to go on the scary bus - and every year he's freaked out - haha. This year he made and attempt to take Harper on the bus - but the scary bloody hand prints on the ceiling and the creepy clown bus driver had both boys back off the bus in a matter of seconds. To his credit, Adam did end up going through the whole thing towards the end of our visit. 

We picked out pumpkins and snapped our traditional pics of Adam pulling the wagon - and Harper this year too! This year Adam had to also pull Harper on the wagon - the cutest pumpkin at the patch I'd say! :) 

After we left there we headed across the street to the Reston Farm Market where they had a little petting zoo - the boys had fun petting the goats. 

A perfect fall morning with our pumpkins! 

Pumpkins!

Adam had been begging for weeks to go to the pumpkin patch with the "scary bus," so we finally got around to it just in time to get a few more pumpkins before Halloween. 

It's always funny to me how much Adam wants to go to this particular patch as the highlight - the "scary bus" - has been something he's avoided the last three visits - ha! This year, with some encouragement and accompaniment from Andy, Adam finally braved it and went through - the looks on his face as he went through were classic (and apparently undocumented). Frankly the creepy clown bus driver caused me to tap out - no thank you! 

Harper was a bit tired when we went so we didn't quite get the fun smiley photos we had hoped for - but he did get to go down the slide a few times and let's just say he wasn't all that amused - I'll chalk that up to the tired factor as well. 

I was happy to snap our traditional photo of Adam and the wagon - next year Harper will have to help pull it - we'll be sure he naps first! :) 

PS - I did snap some pics of Harper with a mini-pumpkin when he was in a better mode - what a cutie pie! 

Camping in the Shenandoah...

One of our favorite parts of camping has been getting to spend a fall weekend apple and pumpkin picking. Sadly last year we had to skip our fall trip while Harper was in the NICU so this year we planned early so we could get a site at the Shenandoah State Park and make up for lost time. 

We hadn't been to this campground in several years and had honestly forgotten that the cell service was non-existent. It's amazing how reliant we are on our phones and connectivity - but actually, being "off the grid" turned out to be just what we needed. 

The weather was cool and a little bit rainy, but we didn't let that hold us back from our apple and pumpkin picking. We started our morning with a big breakfast at a local diner. Harper pounded scrambled eggs and a big pancake and Adam of course took care of some chocolate chip pancakes - man those boys can eat! After that it was off to the apple orchard. We picked lots of golden delicious and fuji apples until our bag was full. Even Harper got in on the action. 

Then it was on to the pumpkin patch where Adam picked out his pumpkin and also enjoyed a cup of fresh apple cider. 

We then spent the rest of the day at the campground. We went for a few hikes to see the river and while Harper napped I finally read the latest "Harry Potter" book - see, being "off the grid" has it's advantages! We played lots of football, Adam practiced his Ninja Warrior skills by climbing the walls, and Harper enjoyed playing outdoors with his toys as well. We even met another labradoodle who just happened to be Sadie's sister - she came from the same parents just one liter later. Small world! 

We cooked all of our meals over the campfire which was a new experience for us and let me tell you, it was some delicious food. Lots of time was spent chatting fireside and just like that the weekend was over but at least we were left with some great memories - and a ton of apples!