A party...and the farm!

I'm pretty much obsessed with fall. My mom gave me this book the year Carson was born. Its a Thankskiving book about this little mama bear telling her cubs all the things they have to be grateful for. It has the sweetest pictures. Shows the little cubs out catching the school bus with the mama waving goodbye. Shows them playing with friends outside, bundled up against the wind and jumping in piles of leaves. Shows them settled around the kitchen table, with cookies and hot chocolate working on their homework. Shows them working outside with the papa bear, raking leaves while the mama bears sweeps off the patio. Which is covered in pumpkins. Shows them at the dinner table with a hot stew in front of them and the family all laughing. In the bathtub filled with bubbles. Reading a story with the papa, all bundled in their beds, homemade quilts tucked up around them. I am in love with this book. This little bear family. It encompasses all I love about being a mama to my own little cubs. There is no other time of year where I feel the stirring of home and memories and tradition more so than the upcoming holiday months. It brings out the very best mom in me. I want so badly for the thoughts of me and their dad and their home to just fill my boys with warmth and happiness. The little things matter to me. The smell of dirt in the spring time, the sound of the sprinklers in the summer, the warmth of cozy sweaters and slippers in the fall, something warm in the oven or on the stove throughout the cold months of winter. I probably pay way too much attention to the little details. I just want to create a beautiful life for them. It gets hard and complicated soon enough. Childhood deserves to be beautiful. So I'm soaking it up with them. We are doing it all, from the parties and festivities to the cozy comfiness of home.

Documenting the big stuff, starting with our annual cousin Halloween party! Gosh I love these kids. I might be biased but I think they are the most beautiful, brilliant, funnest bunch of little people I have ever know. 9 babies between us three sisters (Boston not pictured), and in another week we make that 10. Miss Caroline is circling the neighborhood. Love the way they love each other. The way they crave each others company. The laughter and insane loudness that fills the room when they are all together. Hope they never lose that, hope they always now how lucky they are to have these little cousins.

Started with Halloween twister! We have tried this in the past and it was a big flop. They were just to little to get it. This year our oldest boys totally got it. Luke, Cars, Lance and Brev had a blast. For the little ones we just shouted out a picture and they jumped on it. No right hand/left hand, just whole body. And they loved that.

Moved on to Halloween Bingo. Every holiday includes a Bingo for these kids. It is totally their favorite. I drew these pictures a few years ago and we just reuse them. My art isn't the greatest, but the kids are so cute about it. Its so much fun!

Then we moved on to Ghost suckers.

And finally a mini trick or treating. Me, Jen and Ash stand in different rooms in the house and hand out candy. Obviously they love that.

And while they devoured candy, we ate this delicious treat. Caramel apple cider with whip cream that Jen had been simmering in the slow cooker all morning and apple sour cream pie from Marie Callendars. I had a piece or two. Or three. Oh so good!

Couple days later we headed back to Black Island Farm. This time with dad and Carson. It was packed, and always kinda pricey but I just keep going. Have to. My kids love it. Its so fun and fall and festive like. And they have kettle corn. The best kettle corn. Love it!

My three favorite little punkins out of the patch!

Just a good night!