Autumn

Gabe's preschool class took a field trip to a pumpkin patch the first part of October.  Gemma & I went along & we all enjoyed a "hay ride" around the farm, a petting zoo, some really tall, fast & fun slides & a haunted barn, that I accidentally went into with both kids.  Luckily nothing jumped out.  It was just some scary scenes, so I just laughed at all the silly people each time Gabe asked what something was, which was every few seconds... & we quickly made our way out.

Gemma must have picked up dozens of pumpkins & carried them around before exchanging one for another.
She loved the "punkies", as she called them.   

My parents came out for a long weekend visit mid-October & we had such a wonderful time with them here.  We ate good food & talked & played.  They were so helpful & fun.  Both kids loved having Grandma & Grandpa here to give them extra attention & love.  Grandpa took Gabe to the park one morning while we all got other things done & they had a fantastic time together.  Gabe was sad when he woke up & they were gone.  After they left I told him I missed them & he said, "I miss them, too, Mom."

On the Friday of their visit, we all went to one of our favorite places to visit in the autumn: Apple Hill.  It is a region about 45 minutes southwest of Sacramento, out in the country, that has over 100 farms & orchards. And in the fall, people descend upon Apple Hill by the thousands to visit particular farms & enjoy fantastic baked goods, produce, pumpkin patches, craft markets, etc.  We have a few farms we always stop by on our visits, for fresh, hot apple cider doughnuts, apple dumplings, pies, preserves and  beautiful scenery.  I love it there!  Whenever I see a house for sale as we drive through rolling hills dappled in fall colors & turn down shaded lanes throughout the country-side, I tell Patrick we need to sell our house & move to Apple Hill!   Come visit us in the autumn & we'll take you there.  My parents loved it so much they want to come back again next year.

Thanks for visiting, Mom & Dad!!

Monster pumpkin at Boa Vista Orchards

G & G loved the pumpkin patches

Love seeing these kids with their grandparents. A rare treat!

Love, love, love this little face!

Gabe stole the spiderman mask off a scarecrow (yeah, kind of gross to think about what kind of germs came along with
the mask!) & didn't take it off for almost the whole hour we spent at Rainbow Orchards... other than when he was eating a hot doughnut!

This was Gabe's second time on the tractor & he was in heaven!  

My wonderful parents, Kathy & Reid!

Gemma raiding Grandma's wallet

Halloween

It all started with Gabriel deciding that he wanted to be Peter Pan for Halloween.  Then after a few days he got talking about how his dad was going to be Captain Hook.  Well, we couldn't just leave Gemma & I out of the thematic fun!  So, we decided to go as Tinkerbell & Tigerlily to complete the entourage.

Gabe got to wear his costume twice, as they had a Halloween celebration at his pre-school on October 30th.  Gemma & I joined him for the last half-hour & thoroughly enjoyed watching Gabe with all his little pre-school friends.  He was thrilled & "flew" everywhere.    

 I spent a few days sewing our costumes... mostly nights after the kids had gone to bed.  I really enjoy doing it, but I'd enjoy it a whole lot more if I started earlier.  There were a couple of late nights involved, which made for unpleasant mornings.  ;)

Our evening consisted of our church congregation's "Trunk or Treat," which both kids loved!  Gabe loved gathering the candy & especially chasing & wrestling the other little boys who were there.  Who knew that Peter Pan was such a tough guy!  Even against the likes of the Hulk & Buzz Lightyear! :)

We spent an hour Trick or Treating around our neighborhood afterward.  There were several neighbors we had been wanting to meet & decided this would be a good opportunity to introduce ourselves... especially in costume!  They won't recognize us when we wave to them in our plain clothes.  :)  We really didn't want Gemma to get any candy, so we didn't bring a bucket for her.  But, at each door, she started holding out her hands & saying "please," so of course, she got candy! :)

I really wanted to pull her hair up into a ponytail or pigtails.  It's finally long enough!
But, she's quick to pull them right out.

Just as Gabe envisioned it!

Gabe ran up the hill on our church grounds.  A rustic setting for a Lost Boy.  

He makes one fine Hook! 

Yes, I wish I had wiped her nose before I took this photo.  But, there aren't too many people who can look so darling,
even with snot on their face.  

I was amazed that Gemma didn't attempt to take her wings or headband off all night!  She seemed quite delighted to be Tinkerbell.  

The kids loved the Jack-o-Lanterns!  We still had them on our porch a few days after Halloween, waiting for garbage/green waste day.  Then one morning, they were gone!  We're wondering whose house or car got smashed! :)

I've perfected the camera angle for a self-taken photo...