Fall Fun!

We awoke about a week ago to find our grass covered in leaves and our trees just bare as a bone. It seems to happen overnight! Fall has definitely arrived and it's one of our favorite times of year. Watching the leaves change colors, the leaves fall and the welcomed cooler weather all signal changes not only in the season.

The kids have changed so much in the last year. They are both so much more independent and free spririted. They each have very distinct and unique personalities. I think even in pictures you can see their personalities come to life.

Aunt Teresa took some great pictures of the kids, for our Mom to take back to Taiwan. Can you guess who's the life of the party? How about who is the introspective one? Which is the quiet leader? These three cousins couldn't be more different, but when they come together they all love each other and enjoy each others company.

After the official photo shoot, the kids had so much fun playing in the leaves!

They even helped rake them up, when they were done. 

 They each made their own leaf house and jumped right in!  Ella decided to take a little nap in her, "house."

We headed to the Pumpkin Patch this weekend and the kids had more fall fun picking pumpkins.  The highlight for Eric was the tractor hay ride.  He would describe it as, "bumpy."  We managed to grab the last tractor ride of the day and made it just in time.

While we were waiting for the tractor ride,  Eric picked the cutest little baby pumpkin.

Ella found this GIANT pumpkin and wanted to take it home, but I'm pretty sure we couldn't haul this one home!  So, we opted for a picture instead.

Eric saw this little miniature pony at the petting zoo and wanted to, "take him."  I have to admit, he was pretty cute!

Ella had fun leading Eric through the hay bale and snake maze. 

The kids had a great time and it was definitely the highlight of their day!  It was so much fun and we can't wait to carve pumpkins later this week.

Gotta Be a "Deere"

I am always surprised by how time speeds up after having children.  The kids birthday's seem to be coming faster and the years are just flying by.  My little baby boy is no longer a baby!

Eric had his 3rd birthday and he was very adamant about having a John Deere birthday party.  He absolutely loves watching and spying tractors as we're driving around town.  He is just mesmerized by them. 

I was a little nervous the party supplies wouldn't arrive in time, as the online company I ordered from seemed to have missed my order and I had to request expedited shipping with it arriving on Eric's birthday.  

Prayers were answered when our shipment arrived by noon on Saturday, just in time for his party that evening.  Ella was right on the ball and so excited to help set up for the party.  I almost think she was more excited than Eric at times.

We had a small family gathering and certainly enjoy the smaller gatherings, for events like these.  We  enjoy the quality time everyone gets to spend with each other, rather than putting on a big show for the kids.  We know it will only be a matter of time, before these small gatherings, become a BIG bash!

The kids had a blast with the John Deere Pinata!  Cousin Seth looked like a pro baseball hitter 

and looks like Eric was taking notes!

Ella had a pretty mean arm as well!

A birthday isn't quite complete without a cake of course and Eric requested carrot cake this year, but it had to be a Deere of course.

I am happy to report that he loved it!  It's always priceless to see your child's face just light up when you bring out the cake (especially, one that you made).  He was all a glow and so excited to see the tractor and animals on the cake. It's worth all those late night hours in the kitchen! 

Eric knew just what to do with the candle and blew it out all by himself this year!  What a BIG boy!  He couldn't help but drive the tractor around the cake, once the candle was blown out.  

He received quite the collection of large vehicles, that the kids had so much fun playing with.

Eric enjoys flying this Coast Guard Helicopter around the house, saving people!  

Ella and Seth were saving vehicles that were stranded, with Eric's new Bruder Crane!

The kids played for over an hour, before we noticed how late it was getting. The kids were completely wired at bedtime.  We finally got the kids to bed and when I asked Eric what he enjoyed most about his birthday; he said, "my cake!"

Happy Birthday, Eric! 

We can't wait to see what the new year brings!

You are such a gift and a blessing!