A trip to Vala's, once again...

Vala's pumpkin patch is unlike any pumpkin patch you have ever seen. It's definitely worth a visit. Just maybe not every year. It is famous, fun, and festive. But, for heaven sakes it's expensive and needs some renovating. Never-the-less the kids love it and it always proves to be a crowd pleaser. There are many things to do and none of them have to do with getting a pumpkin. Infact, honestly we've never been out to the actual GIGANTIC pumpkin patch (we found ourselves a charming little pumpkin patch this year) So, this being our 4th year you might want to know that our "favorites" remain the same...the go-carts, The Pirate maze, the trike races...STILL, the ginormous slide, pumpkin launcher, haunted house (not very "haunted"... and still to scary for my girls.) petting zoo (manages a few giggles,) and the big giant bouncy pillow. This year we were invited to Vala's with the Nebraska chapter of United Cerebral Palsy. We had a campfire and tent and they also provided us with dinner. "Camp- out" goodies galore! The wet wood burned with a blazing smoke, so we all had sore eyes but looked beyond the smoke and enjoyed the atmosphere and our relationships with one another.

apples, pumpkins, doughnuts and cider...

It must be October!

Last week we spent our day at the Kimmel Apple Orchard. What a fantastic day trip and a "true to life" apple orchard. Miles of lush apple trees with so many varieties to choose from. First, the hayrack ride and apple pickin'. Then pumpkins. Next, doughnuts and fresh apple cider. Fall is here, yet the weather was unbelievably perfect. I was craving a day to be spent outdoors and with my family. I needed a day to reconnect and love them up! I needed a day to just "be" with each one of them. From morning till night we played. This is just a sampling of our day. These simple memories bring a smile to my face.

It was a "buggy" friday

Our family enjoyed the 75 degree weather yesterday by playing outside after dinner. We swung on the swings, played a game of baseball (Ellie's good, really good- crushed it each time up to bat.) We also (or should I say, Zachary & Avery) spent time looking for bugs. Nebraska has bugs. Big bugs, cool looking bugs and lots of "buggy" bugs. I guess it's the climate and humidity that bring the bugs home to Nebraska. I'll never get used to the flies, but I think it's fun for the kids to see and examine the slimy, and fuzzy insects. Kind of like a science lesson in your backyard.

We also happened upon this....the ice cream truck stopped by for a visit. Lucky kids. Should I tell you he actually came by 20 min. before dinner?