Let's do this, fall

We are reeeally making an effort this fall, more-so, I'm finding myself obsessed with making the most of this beautiful yet short season.

That means that even though most days I look like this:

(Tired, un-showered, possibly stinky, literally willing my eyes to stay open after a night of dealing with a baby who refuses to go back to sleep for more than an hour after waking at 2:00 AM)

I am still able to rally, all in the name of fall-is-awesome-and-super-fun-with-little-children-and-some-day-I'll-be-able-to-sleep-again-so-we-WILL-go-make-some-memories-and-WE-WILL-LOVE-IT.

Fist pump!

So this weekend we went to the pumpkin patch, and there were photo opps aplenty and loads of cuteness to go around.

My plans were not going to be ruined by a little drizzle.  Even though Saturday's weather was pretty gross across the board, it magically stopped raining mere minutes after arriving at our destination.  Thus despite the overcast skies and the muddy ground we had a great time wandering around and picking out the perfect pumpkins.  

Gus immediately went over to this little pile of pumpkins on display and sat down to cheese for us.  I was blown away by such an un-Gus-like cooperative attitude toward having his picture taken.  And then he patted the pumpkin next to him and said, "Louie, come sit here!"

I die.  

Instead I handed over the camera for once so it could be documented for the future by something other than the self-portraits on my phone that I was around during my kids' childhood.  ;)

HA!  The boys look unsure of being photographed with Ben and Michelle here.  

The baby-blue head-to-toe look was not on purpose.  Louie had fun at the pumpkin patch but for most of it he really really really wanted to get DOWN in the mud.  Ugh.  I forget sometimes how much wrestling is involved on outings like this with a not-yet-walking-but-fully-mobile-baby.

Dan steered Gus towards the pumpkins we wanted, it's nice that he doesn't have strong opinions about things like that yet.  

We picked up some little gourds as well, thought it could be a fun project for our artsy and motivated nanny to do with the kids.  ;)

Gus really loves this tower of pumpkins, and of course was obsessed with trying to rip it down.  Photo-op is redeemed by Louie's utter adorable-ness.  

He was equally distracted last year when I tried to get a picture with him and the strange pumpkin totum-poll thing.  Some things do not change.

The owner guy said OF COURSE! he can get up on the tractor, and even pulled out a towel to wipe down the seat.  Then, as if knowing the child he was dealing with, he pulled something off the tractor and pressed some button disabling the starter, "just in case."  

This guy clearly has known a few 3-year-olds in his lifetime.

Just wait you two.  NEXT YEAR! you will have your own squishy baby to wrestle. 

Both children were too interested in the corn to acknowledge their mother and her annoying camera.  I chose to share this one because I love that they both have the same expression of irritation/boredom/indifference with my "CHEESE!" antics.

Gus and Uncle Ben exploring.

Found a good one!