In October We Go To The Pumpkin Patch

I am a HUGE believer in traditions. Part of that is most likely my type A, control freak personality, but whatevs. I've carried on a lot of the traditions I had as a kid, including of course heading to the pumpkin patch (does anyone NOT make this a tradition?).

This year, with a jam packed October, both girls playing soccer, and the Royals madness, it was hard to sneak in an afternoon trip. The day we chose of course ended up being a smidge chilly/windy, so the Mr. stayed home with the babes (which I'm SURE he was super dissapointed about), and Aunt Jaime and I took the big girls to do what they do best. Burn off energy in the great outdoors. Each year we've pretty much gone to a different Pumpkin Patch, so of course we had to keep that tradition going ;) and we chose Kerby Farms.

I'm sure my girls were thrilled with the amount of pictures I forced them to take. But G & H I'm going to let you in on a little secret: 25 or so years from now you will have absolutely NO recollection of the whining, hissy fits, or tantrums of your youth. You will look back fondly on these pictures that I forced you to take, and wonder how on earth it's now time for you to take some of your own children.

So despite the melt downs of the past, we actually had a stress free trip. Both girls listened. And followed directions. And were nice to each other the whole time. It was basically a Christmas miracle come 3 months early. I was pretty impressed with Kerby, it was the perfect place for a 5 and 6 year old. Gracen's favorite part was by far the zip line (the zip line alone was worth the $5 admission), and Hadley's was of course all the dirt. Dirt for days. and sand. {How on earth that girl can be such a priss and love getting dirty at the same time is beyond me} They had a barrel train ride, a haunted house, hay rides, corn maze, tractors the girls could drive {Lord help us in 10 years when Gracen's on the real road...}, and much more. Plus the hot chocolate was $1 and they had a barn with picnic tables to keep you out of the wind. This place was by far the most family friendly (and wallet friendly) we've been to out of all of them.

Baseball may be over, but we're still smack dab in the middle of football season. GO STATE!

oh, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Pumpkin Patch Tour of KC

We've pretty much done a tour of KC pumpkin patches in the past years, but #blogfail 2010 is the only year I blogged about.

In 2009, less than a month after my little peanut Hadley was born we went to Faulkner's.

I believe this is our very first photo as a family of four! We didn't even get one in the hospital. They had a petting zoo right when we walked in with a girl who worked there holding a rabbit on her lap. Gracen walked right up to her, and I thought she was going to be really into the bunny... nope, she just wanted the girl's cell phone!

In 2010 we went to the local pumpkin patch in Topeka, and that happens to be the only one I blogged about for some reason. 

In 2011, we headed out to Louisburg Cider Mill. We weren't very impressed with the Pumpkin Patch part, but definitely worth the trip for the root beer and for the fresh cider donuts! And those pictures are all on my real camera, not my phone so here's some glorious photos from other awesome people :)

In 2012, we opted out of pumpkin-patching (yes that's a thing). Fall is super busy with kids in activities, so we went to Pumpkin-palooza instead. And I actually blogged about that! 

This also just happens to be one of my fav photos of Had :)

In 2013, We headed out to Weston, one of the most beautiful places. I loved it out there, and if we return next year, most likely I'll combine visiting the pumpkin patch and apple picking since they're both at the same place, and kill 2 birds with one stone. Although I didn't write about the trip last year either. Whoops. We had a great time, with great weather. 

Also I just realized I wore this vest to Faulkner's as well. At least I'm not wearing the same long sleeve shirt, that might've been embarrassing. Perhaps I need to go shopping... JK dear!

And since this post is so long already, I'll write about this years trip later ;) Sorry Wham! But I guess this is appropriate since it's #tbt, and these are all our previous trips! This year we went to Kerby's and spoiler alert... loved it! Stay tuned ;)

Hadley Jean turns 5!

At our house, a birthday is something we don't take lightly. We love to celebrate. Multiple times, all month long if necessary. I'm so thankful that all of our kids birthdays are spread out, because then the spotlight is really on them. And maybe it's because I'm bitter that my birthday was in the summer, and my half birthday was over Christmas break so I never got to celebrate it at school. (Sorry P - same goes for you my love!) but I just love birthdays. That doesn't even mean we go overboard (occasionally we do), but in a house full of girls, I love to make them feel special.

And on September 28, my darling Hadley Jean turned 5 years old. I don't even know how it happened, because time certainly did not have my permission to pass so quickly. I can still remember the day she was born. She was the only one who arrived when planned! I want to laugh and cry at the same time when I think about her going off to kindergarten next year. Sigh. Such is the life of a Mother.

We certainly spoiled our sweet girl this year. We kicked off the celebrations the same day as Parker's baptism with family. I made the most delicious and wickedly simple buttermilk raspberry cake with homemade whipped cream and fresh raspberries.

You loved every single gift you received, and your favorite? Once again, easter eggs filled with candy. Uncle Adam certainly know the way to your heart.

Aunt Jaime got you new ballerina pajamas, and told you they were for your annual Halloween slumber party. You took that very seriously and refuse to wear them until you've had your slumber party. If only you could follow other directions that well :)

On your actual birthday we carried on the birthday donut tradition. We headed to Dunkin Donuts, and they gave you a pink donut for free. You would've thought they gave you the moon! I hope you always keep that child-like excitement, because it really is the little things that make life so wonderful.

For quite a while you've been telling us you want to be a dentist when you grow up - always the practical one ;) So naturally I bought you scrubs for your birthday. And let me just tell you, that unfortunately one trait you inherited from your dear Mother is that you're very particular about the most random things. And for whatever reason, you under no circumstances wanted to try on the scrubs. However, I finally got you to try them on after re-assuring you one million times that you could still be Anna for Halloween. And it's quite possibly the cutest thing I've ever seen. 5 year olds in scrubs? Adorable. Scrubs with your name on them? I die.

If it's not moving, monogram it. That's my motto :) This probably stems from having the most popular girls name as a child, so I wanted my name and/or initials on everything. I promise you'll appreciate it someday. (Oh and just ask Aunt Nanie about her birth certificate!)

The celebrations continued at school with the repeat request of pink cupcakes with sprinkles. Done and done. And finally it was time for your birthday party with friends! I'm convinced that the anticipation of the party is just as exciting as the actual party. We lucked out again with the weather, park parties are always a toss up. But you had a great time with your pre-school pals.

We went with a pretty simple pink and green theme this year. All you wanted was cupcakes with sprinkles. Done and done. I added in the fruit snacks and goldfish, pretty successful for the pre-school crowd. It wasn't quite as extravagant as your 4th birthday, 3rd birthday,  or your 1st birthday (and I just realized I never blogged your 2nd birthday (which was my fav!) #blogfail. BUT with a 3 month old, this was as good as it gets this year, and you couldn't have cared less. There were cupcakes! and fruit snacks! and juice boxes! WIN.

 You were SUPER excited to wear this outfit, and I am SO thankful the weather allowed it. We got it in the mail from my cousin Karen months ago, and you would remind me about every other day that it was reserved special for your birthday party.

Cupcakes for the win.

It was too windy to actually light the candle, but you didn't care. Remember? There were cupcakes! And fruitsnacks! And juice boxes!

Parker was napping when we left, so Daddy stayed home with her for awhile and they came late. You thought that was better than the presents. Keep that enthusiasm about your sister forever would you?

Funny story. Your party started at 12:30, because that's what time the park had open for reservations. We were so busy that morning we forgot to eat lunch. You and Gracen were SO excited that I told you it was ok because you could have goldfish and fruitsnacks and cupcakes. You did not know what to do with yourselves because you got dessert before lunch. (In my defense, Daddy was working on the kitchen putting up the backsplash, so yes unfortunately the procrastinator in me left the cupcakes until that morning so yes, for one day, you had cupcakes! and fruitsnacks! and juiceboxes! for lunch.)

Happy birthday sweet girl!!! Your love for life is contagious, and your sass is out of this world. I will always encourage your enthusiasm and zest for life. I can't wait to see you grow and learn and if you stick with becoming a dentist :)

Age 1,2,3,4 I can't wait for family pics again in a month!

3 Months!

So I'm a little late in posting this - don't judge. Even as the third child, I promise my dear girl you are not getting lost in the shuffle. In fact, with how quickly technology changes, I probably have the most pictures of you as a baby! #technologyforthewin

Month 3 flew by just as quickly as the first 2. I headed back to work, and you stayed as cute as can be. Your sweet little personality is rapidly developing and I cherish every single day in witnessing it. You have finally learned to appreciate tummy time, and you LOVE to look in the mirror. (We love to look at you too!). We're still getting the hang of sleep schedules, with 2 very busy older sisters, it's hard to keep you on routine. Weekends mess everything up. However - you did manage to sleep all the way through the night multiple times! A girl after my own heart. Let's try to keep that up shall we? You still love to eat, and love to giggle. Not much phases you, such is the life for the third! (But speaking from experience, 3rd girls are awesome).

You went on your first road trip! Granted it was only for 24 hours, but it was your very first night away from home. We went to Wichita to visit your aunts, uncles and countless cousins. You're not one for a lot of commotion, so it's a good thing it was a short trip. Soon enough you'll be chasing them all around and contributing to the noise level. You were a dream in the car, slept the whole time both ways. Even though we strategically planned it around your nap times, we're just glad you kept up your end of the bargain ;)

You got baptized! You were a complete angel. You even giggled. We could not have asked for a better day (minus the blowout). We had a full house of family to celebrate you my sweet girl, don't ever forget how truly loved you are.

We love to play dressup. Thank goodness for older sisters and plenty of hand-me-downs!

You're now wearing size 3-6 month pajamas - what the what?! and we no longer swaddle you. Seriously, slow down sister! You still love to be snuggled closely, so I'll take it. You only like the pacifier when you're ready for bed, which makes it super easy to get you to sleep. You definitely know what you like and what you don't. You prefer to be bounced to sleep while I walk around, as opposed to rocking in the chair. However, I prefer to rock you after you fall asleep at least for a while just to snuggle :) Rocking babies to sleep is my jam. I can't get enough. Experts that tell me to "lay you down while drowsy" be damned. I rocked both your sisters to sleep until they wouldn't let me anymore, and they are great sleepers!

So thankful to have a healthy and happy peanut. You truly make everyday better, and we can't imagine life without you. Your big sisters continue to adore you, so someday when you all start fighting over clothes/makeup/phones etc. I'm not afraid to pull out old pictures for you :)

Love you sweet girl!