Picking the Perfect Pumpkin.

The month of October creeped in on us way to fast and with two Saturday's left in the month we realized that we hadn't gone pumpkin picking. This is a must on our fall bucket list so this past weekend we ventured out to one of our favorite pumpkin patches to pick a few pumpkins.  

Time flies when you're having fun especially when you have picky kids wanting to pick that perfect pumpkin. Noah has become selective in picking any kind of fruit especially pumpkins! My patience has gotten a lot better especially with these two because they always want to find a pumpkin that's flawless without any blemishes. Sometimes that's impossible because all pumpkins are going to come shaped like a strawberry with some discoloration, and dirt that can easily be washed off.  

^^^ you can't see it, but he has the "life is so hard" look on his face! ^^^ 

^^^ After roaming the patch for about half an hour the kids all finally picked one they approved of. ^^^

It is always a treat to go on these family outings together, and in between the indecisiveness and light bickering there's laughter, lots of giggling, and love.  I love spending time with my kids and seeing smiles on their faces that aren't forced!

I think the one that gets a kick out of these outings is Jon. He works half a day every Saturday, and I think that after driving a huge UPS truck for four hours all he wants to do is something relaxing. His idea of relaxing is the outdoors. He loves doing stuff with the kids, and it puts a huge smile on my face when he comes with us on our little adventures. He missed out on going apple picking with us this year, and so he was pretty excited when I told him we were going pumpkin picking. 

^^^ and check out that clear blue sky! ^^^

In all honesty I think Jon's favorite part of going with us to the patch is the wheelbarrels. He's like a little kid with it! The kids will sit in it, and as we walk towards the patch he'll start moving it up and down, and the kids love it! We also went on a hayride where the  driver/owner tells the history of the farm. We had a little bit of a history lesson about this farm, and it is amazing to know that it's been around since the 1800's!! 

I am so glad Lexie also made time to come with us. She had a homecoming dance to go to that evening, and homework to do, but made time to have fun with her sibs because that's what big sisters should do right? 

All went well with picking the perfect pumpkin, and all. I'm beginning to feel that October is indeed my favorite month. I love this time of year where spending time as a family increases even more. 

^^^ I sure do love this family of mine! ^^^ 

Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend, and that y'all enjoy the rest of October! 

STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER!

When it gets close to summertime one of our favorite things to do is go to an orchard to pick some fruit! We have always picked cherries, and peaches in the past, but on this day we decided to pick strawberries! This was also the last weekend where strawberries are in season so we took advantage and ventured out to Lee Turkey Farm. One thing I love about this farm is that all the trees are aligned, and it is the ideal ochard. It's like a grocery store without the roof! 

Lee Turkey Farm has become one of our favorite farms, (and no...it's not because it's owned by people of our faith.) This farm has been around since 1868 and Ronnie is a sixth generation member. I love how warm, and friendly the staff is here, and his wife is just the sweetest lady. She was so kind as to take a picture of my family, and next time we go I'm going to make sure she gets in the picture too! 

In spite of the scorching heat the kids had fun picking, and pulling. If you're wondering why Noah is wearing binoculars it's because he wanted to "investigate the seeds", and to make sure the strawberries were ripe! After a awhile he took them off, and I began capturing some shots.

The kids were getting giddy knowing that their picking skills were getting better by the minute. Chelsea was independent going to town picking super ripe strawberries.

I helped Noah pick a few, but I have to admit that Jon was the one going to town picking some good ones with him. 

We ended up leaving with three small cartons, and in the end chowed down on a few. 

No matter how hot it is I have to say that summer time has become one of my favorite seasons. After enduring a brutal winter I feel as if the sun is not my best friend right now, but that's okay. I have to get used to the heat again. Nonetheless we had a great time, and look forward to picking the light yellow cherries in a couple of weeks. 

Strawberry fields forever. 

Lee Turkey Farm Pumpkin Patch.

On the last weekend of October we finally made it to the pumpkin patch. For a minute there I thought we weren't going to be able to not go due to conflicting schedules. Since Lexie missed out on going apple picking this year I wanted to find a day where Lexie could come without missing any of her after school activities. Well...the only day we could all go was on Saturday, and so we made it. If you don't know us by now we are a very spontaneous people, and I am beginning to believe that spontaneous people go to spontaneous places they've never been to spontaneously. We love exploring different parts in New Jersey, and so we found this turkey farm which was very unique. 

This farm has the cleanest apple orchard. We have already decided to go apple picking here next year. I love how the trees are all lined up, kept up, and well maintained. They had everything growing on the patch from pumpkins on a vine, to cabbage, tomatoes, and even broccoli! You can literally smell the broccoli as you're walking down the patch. Truly amazing! Makes me want to seriously plant my own! 

Anyway here are a few pictures from our adventure on Saturday. There is no hayride out to the patch on this farm which was different for me, and I actually like their style of supplying wagons, and trekking out to the patch. It's not a far walk at all, and we all had fun taking turns pushing it. 

The kids had so much fun picking. I swear the older Noah and Chelsea get the pickier they get in which pumpkin they want to choose. It only took them an hour but it was worth it, and so fun watching their every move...literally.

 ^^^ Don't you just love the chocolate milk stain on his Hello t-shirt?! ^^^

^^^ Taking a break from trying to find the perfect pumpkin! ^^^

At first Noah thought that this was a watermelon! Since watermelon is his favorite he actually wanted to take this one home too, but alas they all found their perfect pumpkins! 

^^^ Silly pumpkin heads! ^^^

And so I end this post with more pictures than words such as this one because sometimes looking at a picture can be worth more than a thousand words. Love this boy, and the fact that we all ventured out once again as a family keeps me going. I really love this whole 'spontaneous trip planning family outings' we have. They keep us young at heart, and full of energy. 

The only thing missing is having our other daughter here to spend harvest time with us this fall. I'll always reflect back on the last time she went pumpkin picking with us, and helped Noah pick a pumpkin. That reflection of my life with her will always be priceless, and remain in my heart forever.