William's Class at the Pumpkin Patch

Today William's class went to the Pumpkin Patch which is on

school/church property.

It was fun see the eagerness of the children running to see all the

different types of pumpkins. Lots of parents came so it was nice to

meet them. Unfortunately, I did not get many pictures

(we were discouraged from taking pictures since

our "job" was to watch our group)

Top row: Franco, Brenden, Ryan, Taylor

Bottom row: Madison, Gianna, William, Reid, Katelyn,

Finja, Julianna, Megan
Missing photo: teachers Mrs. Swift and Ms. Audrey

Annabel and Madison

(Annabel thinks she goes to school as well...

wanting to fit in)

Madison and William playing with the gourds

Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch with Friends
Today the kids and I met our friends Miss Elizabeth and Camden at the Pumpkin Patch
for some pumpkin fun.
The boys were really into and Annabel, well, she had just woken up for
her nap and wanted NOTHING but to be held, by the end she did warm up.

William modeling for the camera!
William and Camden
Wagon time

Sweetest pumpkin

My cuties

"What is this?!"

Playing with the wagon
Showing off ALL the pumpkins they loaded

I can chase the boys

But this is how Annabel really felt about having her picture taken

Annabel finally warming up

My sweet little one

Precious

Look two pumpkin steams

Pumpkin cheeks

SWEET

Love Creek Orchard

Love Creek Orchard-Medina, TX

This past weekend we headed out to Love Creek Orchard. It is about an hour from San Antonio.

This is a working apple/pumpkin orchard. William had been asking for weeks if we

could go to Apple Hill, (which is just outside Auburn, CA.

We have gone there the last few falls and have had a blast!) Sorry Buddy, we live too far now.

So the pressure was on to find an alternative.

We really had no idea what to expect. We were hoping to find some apple trees, pick some apples off the tree and pick some pumpkins off the vine.

Boy were we wrong.

This orchard was fun but very commercialized-

every variety of pumpkins you can imagine.

They were grouped but type placed on hay bails. WEIRD!

You could decorate your own scarecrow, paint your own pumpkin, hay rides,

tractor rides,hay maze, pony rides, petting zoo, and Banjo show. (kids loved it)

It is near impossible to grow pumpkins in Texas. We tried and failed. :(

We did have FUN! It was a beautiful drive and we enjoyed a day out as a family.

William eager to explore the hay maze

Annabel is off to catch up to BIG Brother

"Where is he?"

Everyone made it out- whew

So proud!

Time to pet and feed the goats

Annabel was eager to feed the goats all by herself

"Here you go"

Tractor ride to check out the orchard

Cute pumpkins!

I'll take this one please

We ended our day with a "Caterpillar Train" ride

They had a ball!
Though this was not Apple Hill it satisfied our fall activity.

Father Son Bike Ride

Father Son Bike Ride
It was a beautiful weekend so Daddy and William went for a
ride around the neighborhood.
William was so proud that we rode all the way.
(only a few crashes into the curb)
Oh the things to look forward to!

William Turns FOUR

HAPPY FOURTH Birthday

John William!

We can hardly believe that you are four!

You bring so much JOY to our family.

As you grow be are becoming more observant, talkative,

questioning, articulate, chatty, joyful, funny, and silly.

You are incredibly resilient and mature.

You soak up information like a sponge.

(we have to be careful what we say when you are within an ear shot)

You help with chores and actually do a decent job sorting clothes

and sorting the clean silverware.

You are quite the little fish.

You love the water and look forward to your weekly lessons.

You still love to run into my arms, yelling "Mommy!"
You still love to snuggle in our bed in the morning,
wiggling your way between Daddy and I
and giving us sweet kisses and loves.
You have started AWANAS and we are amazed at how
eager you are to complete your workbook pages and love earning your patches/stickers.
You treat your sister with such tender kindness.
You are sensitive and well liked by your peers.
Your teacher tells me that you are a "social confident butterfly"
Naptime is becoming a thing of the past.
However, he always takes a rest.
We love you and are so blessed to have you in our lives!

William waking up and running downstairs to find the kitchen
decorated with streamers to run through
The Birthday Boy!

This is FUN!

His chair had 4 balloons.
Orange being his favorite color
He had the red "You are Special Plate" for the day

William and his buddy- Luke climbing trees
after Stroller Strides

Grinning ear to ear

We got him a bike. He walked outside and said
"Who delivered this bicycle?"

Got right on and rode like a CHAMP

So excited to ride a BIG bike

Going out for ice-cream

Make a wish

YUMMY!

Making fruit skewers for school and AWANAS.

Yummy Treats!

At school they attend chapel on Thursdays and when it is your birthday week
you are called up on stage. You are given a crown and everyone sings
"You are special" song

Leaving chapel holding hands with Taylor
Ryan and I went round and round on what to do for
William's birthday. Having just moved, we don't know families
super well. William was talking about his San Antonio party.
So we had to do something. At the ripe age of 4 he knows when it is your
birthday you have a party. At a birthday party you have either
hot dogs or pizzawith juice boxes, and cake/cupcakes.
So we thought we could bring pizza, fruit and juices boxes to school
and call that his party. He was THRILLED.
Ryan was able to take an early lunch and join us at school.

Annabel, William, Juliane
Megan, Ryan, and Taylor
(Annabel thinks she goes to school as well)

Happy Birthday Buddy!