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