Its that time of year.  The leaves have begun their yearly show, the sweatshirts are hung for their morning run, and the pumpkins are lined up in rows, waiting for my kids to show up. 

A family in Crofton were selling them for a $1 each, we got a HUGE one.  I'll have to get a picture of the kids with the ones we brought home.  It was hard to use self control, I wanted multiples of each, but we left with 5, and 10 smaller gourdes for painting.  I love orange, so pumpkins are kind of my favorite.

He really got into it too.  The kids kept picking them up and putting them in the trunk with out even telling us.  Good thing they were cheap.

Ella and Becca taking advantage of the photo opp.

Later that day we went up to Lake Henry in Scotland and went fishing with Grandpa and Grandma McCarthy.  The boys always talk about fishing with grandpa Dean, so this was quite a treat.

The fish were pretty active.  They boys were excited they got so many bites.  This helps them like fishing even more, I don't think they've ever had to experience the true patience of a fisherman.

Before or trip fishing we stopped by the Menno Power Show.  Our yearly fix of all things old.  The kids love the tractor trains.  They are so cool, so noisy, and so old.

I'm no sure why its so hard for me to get on here and remind myself of whats happened.  I'm going to try to force myself to do this once a month.  It won't be long and this season of my life will be gone and I'll be grasping as vanishing memories, trying to recapture these lost moments.   

 To prove my point, just look, Will is 5! He celebrated his birthday with his first friend party.  I've decided that for each kid to get a birthday party every year is too much stress, and money.  So they will learn to share yet another thing.  It works out and the kid of the year feels honored and extra special.  And I, well, I feel calmer, and we all know that's a good thing. 

I just wanted to add this shot to remind myself how precious this little two year old is.  Its a good thing God made her so stinking cute, it has saved her life many times.  Goodness I love the toddler stage, but I sure get tired of her quick legs and easy frustration.  To her benefit, I have to remind myself that she does get over disappointment quickly and always comes back with a beaming smile and announces "Ella happy now!"  Usually accompanied with a little sniff.

Jack has been doing, what else, skateboarding.  Him and his dad took a special trip to the mall and had it built at Zoomies.  He bought the deck while at Lifelight this last Labor Day.  As with almost anything, the better the equipment, the better the player.  He has improved so much in the last few weeks, but its hard to watch this nice, new board get scraped and ripped up.  But I've heard that he'll need a new one every 3 or 4 months.  This kid better start doing some more chores! 

Apple season is in full swing and we took the family out to the Apple Festival at the orchard.  This was the first time the kids all looked at the camera and smiled. 

  Its so nice to be able to go somewhere without a stroller, and a diaper bag within an arms length.  Its hard to say goodbye to one stage of life, but this next stage has so many advantages.  I can sleep all night, mostly.  I can have a real conversation with any of my kids, mostly.  We can finally take our family out  , and actually enjoy it, not feeling like it was more work than fun, well, mostly.

All smiles with our bellies full of apples.

Isn't he handsome?  And who's that broad?  Haha...