Fall Happenings

Happy Halloween!! Before we kick off the fun today and start NOVEMBER tomorrow (I can hardly believe we're here already!), I wanted to attempt a little catching up. Somehow, things around here aren't really slowing down. So it's been challenging to catch our breath and keep our heads above water. BUT, despite the busyness of this season and this school year in particular, we're still managing to have fun and enjoy it. Somehow, some way. Haha. I'm counting down to our off season for soccer and seriously behind on well, everything, but we're making the most of it and keeping our attitudes positive (as best mama can, ha). 

Our life in the Fall is all about soccer. We revolve pretty much everything around this sport 4 days out of 7 each week. I even had the privilege of watching my oldest baby play in the pouring rain a couple of Saturdays ago. He wasn't phased by the elements and gave it his all while his mama sat chattering under the umbrella barely able to muster a cheer. Hahaha.

My parents sent the boys Halloween cards in the mail that all talk or play music and they have been the biggest hit! They LOVE these cards.... and play them every single day. Hahaha. I think it's safe to say these cards have been the highlight of their Halloween season. 😊

We finally made time to let the boys paint their pumpkins from our visit to the pumpkin patch earlier this month. I'm happy to report that this tradition REMAINS a favorite. Woohoo! #momwin

This is how they chose to display their finished products. 😊

 Fb memories have been coming on strong lately. Especially since I actually used to post on Fb. Haha. Sweet baby Garrison 9 years ago. 

Terrell and I got to enjoy lunch with our student of the month last week! We are so proud of our 1st grader!

This past weekend we got to celebrate our favorite 3 year old turning 3! She had such a fun party and we loved getting to celebrate with her and her family. 

The theme was Belle and Cinderella and the cake turned out perfect. And so yummy!!

Isn't this the sweetest picture? I just love it. We had the best time with our most special, most favorite 3 year old.

The big gift she got was a princess jeep.... and Mulan. 😊

Miles and miles of fun are ahead! 

On Sunday afternoon we managed to make it to our church's Trunk or Treat and I took like 1 picture all night. I am still struggling in the picture taking department. Sigh. The boys had a ball and we were super impressed with all the trunks and themes.  

This was one of my favorite trunks. It was adorable!

Then on Sunday night we finally got our pumpkin carved! This year was a challenge to find the time to make it happen but thankfully we squeezed it in and did it. (My life and our family schedule feels so crazy right now. #mamaisstruggling #andemotional) I may have been making lunches for the week and multi-tasking something serious while the carving was happening, but my guys had fun, we made sure to have a jack-o-lantern before Halloween, and we accomplished our mission. #yay 

Notice the matching faces on Austin and Terrell. 😊 He is definitely Terrell's little mini-me. 

Our final product! We went with traditional and happy this year and I think it's one of my favorites. 😊

We have been counting down all month and the day has finally arrived! We have a fun day planned at school and a fun night planned of trick-or-treating. I'm excited to enjoy it all and thankful for family traditions!

Happy Halloween!!

Pumpkin Patch 2018

We were able to make it to the pumpkin patch on Saturday morning at the end of our Fall Break. We slept a little late that morning and then got ready for our annual trip. Everyone was super excited and looking forward to the whole morning. Yes, there was a little complaining about having to take pictures from at least one of my strapping young men, and yes there was some complaining about my choice of clothing for them from at least one of my handsome angels, but there was excitement, joy, and HAPPINESS about our trip to the pumpkin patch.... from at least one of my sweet loves. I think we experienced all the emojis that morning. Sigh. 

*Disclaimer: I've always taken pictures at the pumpkin patch of my kiddos. Every year it's been a tradition. And just because they're getting older doesn't mean I'm ready to give it up. It is forced at times and met with some opposition, but the tradition continues. I may have to start cutting back a tad, but we'll worry about that another day. 😉 

We arrived shortly after the farm opened and my big boys just weren't as excited as they should've been. The start to our experience was definitely a case of Forced Family Fun. Thank goodness my husband has a great sense of humor and helped us make the most of it. He's also great with getting everyone "motivated" for pictures. Haha. 

We started with forcing them to pose and take pictures like we have every other visit. A trip down memory lane shall we? 

2017...

2016....

2015....

2014....

And here they are this year. My babies are growing so fast!! 

We even got some individual pictures this year! My oldest wasn't thrilled but he's so photogenic you couldn't tell. 😊

Oh these boys of mine. They keep me humble, keep me laughing, keep me praying, keep me a little crazy, keep me on my toes, and keep me overflowing with joy. #everydayisanadventure

We also got a really great family picture! 

Then we let the boys change shirts and do whatever they wanted on the farm. For a while our oldest two, especially the firstborn, just wasn't into it. And Terrell and I looked at each other and said They're growing up. This may be our last year here. How did this happen?!? Oh, how it just tugged at my heart! Growing pains for mama are REAL!! But, by God's grace, slowly they came around and started having actual fun. It was a gift from Jesus. 

They have always loved the corn house and enjoyed a good stretch of playing in there before we stopped to get some drink and go on the hayride. 😊

Afterwards the boys found pecans. And they were HOOKED. Hahaha. They collected and gathered and ran around and had the best time ever. We had to pry them away to pick out a pumpkin and feed the animals and do other things. Ha! They just wanted to become professional pecan collectors and stay forever. 

We did finally feed the goats.... Garrison was a natural. 

Layton came around but basically threw the food at them...

And Austin never really "went for it". He played it safe and tossed them a little food every now and then or had Garrison feed the goats for him. 😊

We picked out our big pumpkin to carve and then the boys got to pick a complimentary pumpkin... which they painted on Sunday afternoon. 

We ended up staying all morning and even past lunch time. They didn't want to leave!! Things may have started a little rocky, but they didn't stay that way. Phew! The tradition of fun continues!! The boys are growing up and that means some gradual changes for sure, but we're holding on to our traditions for as long as we can. 😊 We're calling Pumpkin Patch 2018 different, but successful!

Weekend Recap

We had a really great weekend wrapping up our Fall Break. I didn't take as many pictures as I should have but still wanted to document everything here. As the days turn into weeks, months, and years (faster and faster it seems!), I want to be able to come back here and remember and enjoy. We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection. ~Anais Nin This pretty much sums it up for me! 😊

Terrell took the day off on Friday so we could spend the day together as a family and enjoy a long weekend before heading back to the grind of our regular routine this week. It was fabulous and we all loved almost every second!

On Friday morning we took the boys to Cracker Barrel for breakfast for the first time and they were fans! YAY. We needed a break from Waffle House. Hahaha. And Cracker Barrel is my personal favorite for slow-food breakfast. Yum!

After breakfast we took the kiddos to Sky Zone (one of their most favorite places on Earth) where they got to enjoy unlimited jump time thanks to a Fall Break special. They had a blast. 

And Terrell and I got the comfiest seats in the house and enjoyed talking, watching our boys, and just hanging out. We even tag-teamed some nearby errands! I love doing life with this guy. 😊

I was also able to read quite a bit of my new book Friday afternoon. It's a good one!

Before coming home we made a stop by Dollar Tree (another one of the boys' most favorite places on Earth, ha!) and picked up dinner for the O'Mary fam. Friday night was laid back and care-free. Just like it's supposed to be. 

On Saturday morning we got ready and went out for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch! When we arrived, it was a bit like FFF.... Forced Family Fun. Only a few of us were in good moods and happy and thankful to be there. So that was a bummer. But the good news is that after we finished our FFP.... Forced Family Photos, everyone had the BEST time. All was right in the world again and they didn't want to leave! So it turned out to be an almost perfect outing. 😊 This is us on the hay ride but I'm hoping to blog about the whole trip later this week. We'll see if I can make it happen. If not, it's coming sometime. Ha. 

Also, while we were there, Terrell took this picture of me without me knowing.... getting back at me for taking a picture of him at Sky Zone. Haha. But I ended up loving it. Because of my hair! I can't believe it's even my hair!! I mean, my hair is the lowest "maintenance" it's EVER been, and I love it!! Possibly more than ever!! #itsamiracle 

Saturday afternoon Terrell went to watch the UGA game with a friend (such a bummer that we lost), and the boys played and watched the game while I cooked. It was our turn to bring snacks/brunch for Sunday School so I was able to do everything Saturday afternoon instead of having a crazy Sunday morning. Yay. 😊 Saturday night was super low key. We a great mix of fun and boring, productive and lazy this weekend! 

Sunday morning we enjoyed church together before spending the afternoon celebrating my birthday with my sweet in-laws. They took us out to lunch and then we went over to their house for cake, ice cream, and presents. I was spoiled something serious for my bday this year! It's been a fun start to 35 so far. 😊

This week is back to the grind for all of us and we're struggling a little. Haha. Hopefully we'll find our groove soon because mama is TIRED. And it's only Tuesday. #blessit At least we have some Fall temperatures approaching fast to look forward to. Squeal!! 

Hopefully I'll be able to post about our pumpkin patch visit coming up. It was a different experience this year... but priceless and memorable nonetheless. 

Have a great day!!