Happy Birthday Moose!

 Happy 1st Birthday crazy Corso puppy!

We are so glad you joined our pack!

Moose turned 1 on October 15th! Every dog in our home gets steak on their birthdays - it's tradition!

One super loved pup! (Gifts from Moose's breeder!)

NC State Fair 2018

 After a heat wave through September we thought would never end, Fall finally arrived in North Carolina - right in time for the NC State Fair! That was fine by us - beats being all sweaty walking around all those people!

We stopped at the usual places - baby animals, prized vegetables, artsy apples, etc!

We love Mums!

Brock really wanted to ride the air flyer ride.... so Kade and I drove the stroller to meet Brent and Brock while the took the scenic tour.

I think you could say Brock enjoyed it!

Brent said he was like that the entire time - pointing EVERYTHING out!

Finally, it was time for rides - the boys waited so long for this part!

Such happy faces!

Brock brought his wallet on the trip and I told him he could pick out anything he wanted... he decided on candy apples for him and Kade!

I think a successful Fair trip!

Bike Riding, Fire Pit & Nashville Visitors

I feel this summer passed us by without giving Brock enough time on his bicycle. We've been so go go go... but it's also just so hot outside - the last thing I wanted to do was chase after him on his bicycle! Okay, it's fall now - perfect weather to go practice!

Our driveway is mostly flat, but it does have a little hill - so off we went down to the pool parking lot to practice!

Diesel enjoyed a little afternoon walk as well!

Brock working on peddling.

Flying by!

Had to make it more interesting... and so he could practice his turns (without flipping over)! I created a little obstacle course for him. Here's a cute video.

Go around the branch!

The week before Hurricane Michael hit, we had some visitors. Brent's Great-Aunt Pat, who had been battling lung cancer for four years, passed away on October 1st at the age of 84. She was a very sweet lady and will be missed. Even though Grammy & Grandpa were here for a sad occasion, the boys were excited they were visiting.

 It is also finally cool enough we can enjoy the fire pit! Here are the boys learning the rules while still light out.

Jammies on and enjoying actually seeing the flame!

Hill Ridge Farms

I've heard these crazy radio commercials for months "I want to go to Hill Ridge Farms" and totally tuned them out (they have summer activities as well as Fall & Christmas), but while researching for the best pumpkin patch/activity place in the area, this one was top rated! We had to go check it out!

It's a bit of a drive - Youngsville is 55 minutes from our house, but I thought it was a really cool place with lots to do.

We stopped to see the animals on our way to the playground.

....which was right near the face-painting! Brock and Kade were super excited, but I may have wanted to think this through... it was warm and the boys got a bit sweaty and their hair is getting longer over their forehead. Ah, you're only young once (and you only pass by a face-painting place just opening once in a blue moon!)

Also... isn't it funny how they can stay perfectly still to get their face painted, but won't sit like that for anything for you!

Brock decided on a Minion character....

And Kade got a Ninja mask! The ninja mask was pictured with one color, but since he couldn't decide on a color and just listed out all the colors when asked, the lady decided to do a rainbow mask! Hahaha, whatever! ;)

Duck Racing! My boys gravitate to anything that involves water!

After a quick snack of French Fries and Fried Dough (Elephant Ears), we were off on the hayride to the pumpkin patch!

My handsome husband! :)

The boys are eager to get picking!

Hmm... not an actual pumpkin patch, more like a pumpkin field! I guess it makes it more convenient (and not so muddy). ;)

Brock made his selection!

Kade kept running all around, choosing one after the other - very indecisive!

Made our selections! (And don't knock my shirt - I got that for Mother's Day this year!)

Makeshift swing!

Okay, in my opinion, this part was NOT worth it. $4 extra PER PERSON to ride on the train. The track was only half as long as the Pullen Park train (and that is only $2/pp!!) and literally goes in a circle!!! The kids loved going on a train ride, but next time, we'll know!

At this point, two out of the four in our party were ready to go (I'll let you guess which two) - so we packed up and headed south. There was a lot more we could have done (Corn Pit, Bouncy houses, swings), but it was rather warm that day and we had a trek home.

Not standing straight, but he's at a solid 36 inches (36.25")

Two days later, we stopped after school at the pumpkin "patch" right near our house to pick out our jumbos!

Harder and harder to get a picture with all of them together!

Kade decided rolling the pumpkins down the grass was way more entertaining.

 

Good shot of Moose and Brent!

My big helper!