When we decided to go to Hill Ridge Farm to pick our pumpkins, I was told to go early to avoid the massive crowds. Well, we went early, on a Sunday, with the fair in town. And it was still packed. But well worth it. This wasn't just your ordinary pumpkin patch, this was a pumpkin experience! There was a train, a hayride, animals, a giant slide, funnel cakes, a maze, bouncy things, etc etc. And while Olson wasn't quite old enough to enjoy it all, he really didn't need much more than the train and the tractor ride! I think the pictures say it all.
We're going to the pumpkin farm!
Wow, this place is overwhelming!
Who cares about the animals? I want to mess up Grammy's hair and pull off her sunglasses!
And hmmmm, what's in her ear?
Let's find some pumpkins!
I think this was the look on her face when she heard the train whistle
Waiting for the train!
I see it! I see it!
Here we go!
Olson could have ridden the train all day long
No interest in the giant pumpkin height chart. I don't blame him. Kind of scary.
Little bunny
Time for the tractor hayride!
Liddy Costen wasn't quite so excited for the tractor
Yaaaaaayyyyy!
Family shot
Olson wanted the very first pumpkin he came upon
But he perused the others, as well
Oh boy there are a lot!
Liddy Costen wanted to get in on the action
My sweet little pumpkins
Our window of cooperation just slammed shut
Picking pumpkins is exhausting! But I can't wait until next year!
We were lucky enough to have Grandma and Grandpa Carson come and visit us last weekend! The visit was short, but we had a great time. Pretty low key, but that was ok with us. Just good, quality family time. Yet somehow I only have pictures of my dad with the kids! I know I was snapping away when Rosemary was holding the baby, but I realized I was using my dad's camera...not very helpful for my photo album! So sorry, Rosemary, I guess you'll just have to come back and visit soon so I can get some pictures of you on my camera! I know that will happen before dad figures out how to email me some of the pictures from his camera! :)
Sitting with Grandpa
Attempting to get a picture with both kids
Olson wants no part of it
This is much better, he says
Liddy Costen has been practicing her sitting up skills, so we've been using the Bumbo seat a bit. Of course someone else thinks the Bumbo still belongs to him.
Such a big girl!
See, I still fit!
Olson is thinking about whether he should give Lilly a raisin, and Lilly is thinking about how she is going to get one. This usually ends with Lilly chasing Olson around the house.
I thought time went by quickly when Olson was born, but somehow it is going by even faster with Liddy Costen! Our little peanut is already 3 months old! She is growing like crazy, and is such a sweetie. Her gummy grins, coos and giggles just melt my heart. She is definitely a people person, and loves to be the center of attention--as long as it isn't too loud. She is getting stronger, rolling onto her side and holding her head up. She is almost a "hip-sitter", which I love. And now that mommy has restricted her diet extensively, Liddy Costen has lost much of her fussiness. Much to the delight of the other members of the household. Now, mommy's fussiness is another story...
After talking about it all summer, we finally packed up and went to the beach for a few days! The weather was (mostly) spectacular, and being so late in the summer the crowds were non-existant! Perfect! We actually hardly left the house, except for our daily walk to the waterfront, and a couple of dinners out. Again, Perfect! Olson loved Mimi's newly expanded deck, and spent much of his time playing out there and watching the boats go by. He seems to love the water as much as I do.
After dinner at the Ruddy Duck
Watching the train go by! So exciting!
Liddy Costen loved being outside, too!
Enjoying the comfy lounge chairs
Olson loved using the ice chest as a garage for his trucks. His truck is currently hauling ice.
The weather has been absolutely gorgeous in Raleigh lately, so last weekend we decided to get out and enjoy it! The four of us packed up and went to Pullen Park, and had a great time! Olson was too busy to get many pictures, but here are a few:
Last week, Olson, Gaga and Keith trekked out to Aunt Linda's church to attend the tractor show. Olson was in heaven! I think the pictures speak for themselves:
Look at me!
The only think I like better than a tractor is a fire truck!
I think I could handle this baby
Now this is a tractor!
I want to see that, and that, and that
Such a big boy riding by himself!
Well, with Woofie, anyway
Kaylin and Troy were having fun, too! Well, at least Kaylin is...
Not sure about riding on Kaylin's tractor
Thank goodness cousin Jason was there to hold on to me!
Today was sweet Olson's first day of "pre-school". That's what they call it, but it is three days a week from 9-1, so not exactly full time school. In anticipation of this new, structured environment with other children, we have been attending music class at Gymboree since July, and we've been talking about this day for weeks. However, it finally dawned on me this weekend that the poor little guy was going to be way more distressed about the fact Gaga was coming to our house to stay with Liddy Costen, and that he would be leaving with me instead of going with her. "What? That never happens. I always go with Gaga. She's my buddy." I knew these thoughts would be flying through his little 22 month old mind. And boy, was I right.
Part 1: Pictures with proud Dad, while Gaga was inside the house. We haven't even started to move towards the car yet.
Say Cheese!
I'm going where??
Part 2: Gaga is sitting on the stoop to his left. Notice how calm he is. He loves his Gaga and never wants her too far away!
Is this my lunch? Cool.
Ok, Woofie and I are ready to go!
We made it to school, he made it through his day, and only cried off and on the whole time. And he never let go of Woofie. We'll see how Friday goes...
