The fall season is upon us and what a blessing that the weather has been just a tad bit cooler lately. This morning was overcast and cool -- just right for heading out to the farm! We checked out the candy barrels, farm zoo, petting kraal, ponies, and pumpkin crops:

The four of us with our pumpkin of choice:

We were so please to see the boys pick our family pumpkin together then work together to carry it over to Pete and myself. Here they are with Pete joining in with the "hauling":

This is the pumpkin Aidon thought was the biggest on the lot:

We stopped by the store and picked a couple of candies from the barrels:

Mmmm:

Kicking back on pony Sonny:

Loving on a baby rabbit:

Watching Aidon hug and cuddle a baby goat was a pleasure for mom and dad too:

Can't wait to carve that pumpkin!

It's Carving Time

The kids marked the pumpkin's face and daddy carved! We read the pumpkin gospel while we made our lantern. We learned how God cleans out our Icky sin when we confess and repent... and He makes us white as snow.
Here's the finale at bedtime:

and the finished product:

Simple Pleasures

October is "kids free" and employee appreciation month at the park! family enjoyed complementary rides on attractions! Pete and I enjoyed some "alone-time" with the view above the San Pasqual Valley at 500 feet. We were the only ones on this balloon ride :)

I highly recommend this yellow balloon ride! We rode a free flight balloon years ago over Rancho Santa Fe, and this is similar, at a fraction of the cost!

Put your pedal to the metal

Sometimes our younger son misses the previous house, or just the lake nearby. I'm glad we headed out there after church one day cuz it turns out the lake will be closed til November to boating/fishing. Above is our "pedaler" and below is our "navigator":

Here are the three guys that are the "muscle" behind the moving vessel:

It was a beautiful morning

Pickin' candy rather than apples

We headed back up to the same dwarf apple orchard as we did last year. This time, two months earlier, thinking this would lead to a bigger apple harvest to choose from. Do you see any apples on the trees behind us?

Last year there were apples everywhere, and we went after the season was over. It was truly abundance last year, and such a blessing to take part in that! (still don't see apples do you? there ARE some there though)

It was still fun to hike through the thousands of trees, check out the apple harvest, watch people make cider, and enjoy the occasional breeze on this hot day.

On the way home, we stopped by a candy shop, mom had been wanting to take the 3 guys to.

We had fun checking it out

then picking from dozens of candy cane stick flavors

may as well end with a happy dance!

Firsts

As we drove Josh to his first day of 3 year old preschool class, he sang "I am made by God, made by God, made by God!

He was blessed that he was able to do his favorite activity- painting- first thing.

Josh loved the every part of class.

As his mom, it was special for me to wake up at 6AM on the second day of kindergarten to find Aidon already at work making his lunch. He was well into the project -- spreading peanut butter onto his PBJ sandwich, had his lunchbox out and the sides.

Above we have a side view of his lunchbox carribeenered to his backpack as he waves by to line up with his classmates.

That's one kindergartener that is eager to arrive; even if he thinks schools not much fun when it's missing all that playtime they had at juniorK!

The first day of kindergarten was a family affair. Aidon and his pet Chameleon were ready to go on time!

Here's Josh "drumming" at the curb as he waits for his turn to load in the car:
I love that the boys enjoy being together, most of the time:

Ready to line up for class with mom, dad and Josh:

Arriving to class and putting his gear in his cubby box:

As the teacher read the book "Kissing Hands" aloud, I was blessed to hear Aidon say "I was so excited [to start kindergarten]!". It made the goodby easier.

After drop-off, Josh and daddy play "catch" with his bear:

Got it!

At the end of the first day, mom and dad are met with a "tired look".

Wild Family Time

We hiked the kilamajaro safari trail and the lions were in full view.

The intention was to see the 8-month old tiger cubs at their morning release and they were relaxing lazily around.

A perk of being a part of the zoo family is the receiving a cup of nectar to feed the birds:

The hiking was enjoyed..

here is a photo on the rickety bridge:

The fun of free

These two young ladies are "stars" themeselves

Josh's favorite was the shark exhibit:
Aidon's favorite exhibit was the water Art. Here he is with his fresh catch:

The kids and their buddies had fun exploring life under the ocean at the local aquarium. This kind of learning adventure is usually an extra treat to parents when admission is free!

Our final visit to Dino Mountain

for the summer allowed Josh and Aidon to be tour guides for their daddy's and their buddies' first visits: