Traditions

It's that time of year again. We've done it as a family for nearly twenty years. It amazes me to realize the duration of this family tradition. Nineteen or so years ago on a trip back from beautiful western Maryland, we stumbled upon a pick your own pumpkin place. The kids loved the hayride, the pumpkin picking, the apple cider tasting, the petting zoo. We stopped for dinner at this mom and pop restaurant out in the country with a covered wagon for a salad bar and a miniature train on permanent display to keep little kids entertained. We took home a loaf of frosted raisin bread and have returned to engage in this very same routine for nearly the last two decades. Our family has grown a lot since that first serendipitous visit to the pumpkin patch. The activities at the pumpkin patch have likewise grown and changed over the years. Today there are opportunities for scarecrow building, pony rides, face painting, and a moon bounce. Our four year old remembered the pumpkin patch and for days leading up to our family excursion he would count down to the big event. On Sunday, he literally woke up smiling and announcing that it was finally time to go to the pumpkin patch and jump in the pumpkin moon bounce.

That's one excited puppy! He could hardly contain himself!

Here's our fearless leader, aka, Captain Fun. I'm still loving those dimples after all these years;)

So #7, ever focused on his mission, got right down to the serious business of pumpkin picking,

while 3 of the girls worked it for the camera.

#1 and #4

#3 and #4

#5 hard at work

#6 planting a happy kiss on mama<3

Another fun day in the memory books.
Making memories is a beautiful thing.