Take Me Out To the Ball Game

Well, we finished up our second season of baseball for Emerson.  Having never played t-ball before, stepping right up to the plate to play baseball with boys who had played multiple seasons, was a lot, but Emerson did great and ended Fall Ball as "Rookie of the Year"!  We were so proud of him.  He hung in there and learned to "keep his elbow up", "bat back" and to keep his front foot planted and to step toward the pitcher, not backwards.  Learning to field a ball and keep his eye on it, were all learning experiences that made for some frustrating moments for him and for Adam as they played catch over and over again.   But in the end, he learned how to do it and to see the smile on his face when he finally caught a ball in the air or threw the ball to Adam (in the proper direction) was really fun to watch!  Emerson, you were known as the most organized baseball player on the team and helped keep the dugout picked up and free of any of your items.  You kept it all together neatly in your backpack and your coaches appreciated you.   Dad and I are proud of all that you've learned and can't wait to cheer you on again!  You bring a smile to our face with all your quirky mannerisms and facial expressions--I'm not sure where you get those (wink, wink---the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree my boy---and you are for sure, my child!)

This cutie in the outfield makes me smile and my heart wants to burst with joy!

With a steady eye on the ball and his elbow back, he swung and hit that ball, then ran hard to first base!  Emerson, you did great this year in baseball!  Daddy and I love you and are so very proud of your effort.

Fair Fun 2017

This year I decided to take the kiddos to the fair.  My father-in-law got us tickets into the fair and a parking pass so we got to enjoy it one of the days the kids were out of school for fall break.  

How is it that these boys are getting so big?  I can't even believe it.

We took a trek through the livestock barns and had to tiptoe around a few cow paddies, much to my chagrin.  Emerson and Ava Jane enjoyed the Farm Bureau sponsored area that had the cutest yellow baby ducks, a cow milking station and lots of baby animals to pet and feed.

They enjoyed riding many of the rides and Peyton was a good sport and rode several times with his baby sister--cue the melted Mommy heart.  I am truly a blessed Momma to have been given these four precious little people to love on and parent.

Sure love these "cliff hangers"!

Emerson wants to be a cowboy so when we saw the pony rides, he was all about it!

We ran into one of Ava Jane's little buddy's, so they enjoyed getting to ride together several times.

The boys and I rode this Polar Bear ride and all of us just about got sick.  We couldn't get off that thing fast enough!  It went backwards in a circle the entire time and was going so fast that I could hardly sit up straight.  WORST.RIDE.EVER!  Note to self, never again!

Each of us took a turn riding the Euro Slide and it was fun.  The walk up was steep, with no stairs, but the kids had a blast so it was worth it!  Our day at the fair was pleasant and something fun we could all do together.  The ages of my kids right now seems to be right in the "sweet spot".  I'm truly enjoying these days and trying to absorb all the moments because they seem to be flying by super fast.

Pumpkin Patch

Each year I enjoy visiting the pumpkin patch and ringing in the fall season with its oranges, reds, and greens.  The pumpkins, the cornstalks and mums bring just the pop of color that I love to the seasonal changes.  This year we chose to visit a pumpkin patch we had never been to before.  Motleys Farm was a well oiled machine from the parking lot to the pumpkin "valet" situation, we were impressed with our experience!

They have a petting zoo area that the kids enjoyed.  We purchased some food to feed the goats and donkeys and all of the kids let the animals eat out of their hand except Ava Jane.

The corn stalk maze was fun too.

Ava Jane enjoyed seeing all the butterflies that we fluttering around these beautiful flowers.  

They had a fun playground area that Emerson and Ava Jane had a good time on.

They also had "pumpkin pillows" that were kind of like large trampolines that the kids had a blast on!

Oh how I love this girl of mine!

Here's my whole world in one picture.  I love all these people big!

The cow train was a hit for Emerson and Ava Jane!

Here's a walk down memory lane of our past pumpkin patch experiences: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.  Looking at these past years makes my heart want to burst as I looked at how small my little people once were.  Time, please stop rushing us.  We are trying to take in each moment!