Farmer's Market Halloween

Turlock has a great evening Farmer's Market once a month and ever year in October they match it up with Halloween weekend. All the booths let the kids trick-or-treat and we get to buy fresh produce~ it's a win/win!

Always fun to trick-or-treat with the cousins!

and we ran into our friend (and fellow Rapunzel!) from school and her twin brother...

…Buzz Lightyear!

We love our Farmer's Market!

I tried to take fall photos of the kids at our local pumpkin patch, but between the strong lighting, the unexpected crowd (apparently there was a dog costume contest…) it just didn't work out for us.

…so we tried again at another pumpkin patch/fruit stand. Still no dice. Oh well, can't win them all (plus, they were still cute pictures!)

My little scarecrow ;)

First Field Trip

Adaline's pre-school went on a field trip to the pumpkin patch- which just so happens to be at the end of our street :) Parents were invited to meet at the pumpkin patch so of course I went! We talked about riding the school bus for a good week before the trip...she was so excited, but a little nervous about the whole thing. Thankfully, she was comfortable with the pumpkin patch because we had already been there so many times before.  

She looked so excited to show her best friend Logan the pink tractor that she rode every time we visited.

The R.A.M. Farms has a great educational setup for the schools that visit. They are read a book about different types of pumpkins as well as a book about the growth cycle of a pumpkin.

Then they took a walk into the first part of the corn maze to talk about corn- how it grows, who eats it, and what else it is used for.

Next, they got a little snack and they got to pick out a pumpkin.

It was so wonderful to be able to experience Adaline's first field trip, one of the many benefits to working part-time and setting my own schedule.

More Halloween photos to come!

Brighid's Birthday

Found some hidden photos!

In August we made a quick overnight trip to Reno for my friend Brighid's 30th surprise birthday party.

Her husband Justin planned everything out and had us all met at Lake Tahoe for an afternoon BBQ. It was such a fun, relaxing day.

The American Fire was just starting to get controlled, but the smoke would still roll over the mountain range every night. Watching it come in was really erie... like the start of a Stephen King novel.

We stayed the night in Sparks with Brighid and Justin and thoroughly enjoyed our visit with them (and the view from their house- smoke and all!)

Happy Birthday, Brighid! We were so happy to be able to share the day with you!

Grandpa Walsh's Birthday

After looking back through my camera I realized I don't have much documentation of August and September...why? Because school started again and our lives become packed! Life seems to speed up and time just slips away.
At the end of September we were able to spend the weekend in Santa Cruz for Ed's birthday.

We utilized the kids nap time to go to our favorite winery for a short visit...

 The weather was perfect for an outside tasting.

 And then we took Ed and Linda out for appetizers. Spencer had the most fun :)

 ...although, Adaline had fun, too!

 Then we had a short story time with Grandpa while Grandma cooked a delicious dinner.

Followed by birthday cake, of course!

And then some clog dancing

It was a beautiful weekend that passed by too quickly. Can't wait until we can return! Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Knight's Ferry Covered Bridge

After our hike we strolled over to the Knight's Ferry Covered Bridge. Even though I grew up in the area, it was my first time going to it. It was beautiful!

To get to the bridge you walk up a short path that winds through the old building structures, which are beautiful in their own way.

Spencer was fascinated by the spaces between the boards.

really really fascinated.

We all had a great time and we're already looking for more local, short hikes...recommendations are welcome!