Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere Weekend!

We had SO MUCH FUN this weekend! On Saturday we headed to a pumpkin patch that a bunch of people told us we just had to check out on a farm just outside of Grinnell. So, Saturday afternoon we packed up and made the 45 minute drive. When we pulled up it was bigger than Aaron and I thought it would be as they had guys directing traffic.
Anyway, the place has some old fashioned fun and a lot for the kids to do. They had goats, kittens, tractors, tire swings, slides, a barn filled with corn (kind of like a sandbox) a “cow train” (Jenna’s favorite), tricyles to ride, hay bales to climb, a corn maze, and of course, a tractor that took you out to pick your own pumpkin.
Aaron and I were very surprised at Jenna. She had a blast there! Although she can be a girly-girl, she climbed the hay bale, went through the corn maze, and picked up the kittens like she had done it a million times. I think she could be a farm girl!
The day was one big photo opportunity and Aaron took A LOT of pictures. I will post some of them and if you have time click on the slide show that Aaron made to see more. It was such a great fall day and we all had so much fun and we hope to now make it a tradition. By the way, Jenna and Brody fell asleep on the way home at 6:45 PM and went straight to bed when we got home!

Pumpkin Patch

If you have time, check out this 1:40 highlight of pics we took on our weekend extravaganza to Carroll's Pumpkin Patch just outside of Grinnell.

Nothing Better...

I don't think there's anything better than putting the kids in the stroller, the dog on a leash, and going for a post-supper walk at sunset on a beautiful fall evening. That's what we did last night and it was so relaxing just to talk about our day and enjoy each other's company. It's the simple things...

Extended NW Iowa Weekend

We had a nice 3-day getaway this past weekend. We packed up the car and headed home to northwest Iowa. I know we didn't grow up in the Cherokee/Sioux City area, but it just feels like home. I love the time I get to spend there, especially in the fall!

Saturday morning we packed and headed to Cherokee. Lunch was with Grandpa Larry and then to the playground to burn off some of Jenna's energy. In the afternoon we headed to Grandma Jo's where we had supper and hung out. We are such party animals that we were all in bed by 9 PM! We are definitely getting old. :)

On Sunday we went to the "nut hut" (MHI) and walked the trails and fed the goldfish. Jenna loved that! Sunday afternoon we headed to Sioux City and spent time with Aaron's parents. It was such a nice night out and it was nice to hang out in the backyard. After a little 'Desperate Housewives' we called it a night.

Monday we drove home and stopped in Fort Dodge to see Jess and Mitch. The ride from Sioux City to State Center is so BORING, so it was nice to have an hour break.

Big Brode Man

I'm a little behind here, but Brody had his 6 month check-up on Thursday. If you take out the shots (which I can't watch because it makes ME want to cry), I don't mind the doctor just because I like to see the growth progress. Here's an update on our big man (and I mean that literally). He is 20 lbs. 8 oz. (90th %) and 28 inches (85th %). By comparison, he weighs more now than Jenna did at 9 months! :) We love our big man and hope this size equals one good athlete!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 21st Birthday Mitchell Knippel!!!!

The debate

Aaron and I are kind of political junkies. We love election time, so of course watching debates is high on our list. That being said, here are some of my thoughts...
First of all, although I do think it's about dang time a woman made a ticket, Sarah Palin is not my first pick. She sort of makes me crazy. I could stand her up until her sarcastic, snide attitude she presented at the Republican National Convention. My respect for her ended there.
I didn't think there was one clear cut winner last nite, but I enjoyed listening to Biden more. I felt that he was actually talking to me and wasn't reciting answers that some campaign aides wrote out for him. I just felt that Palin was too well rehearsed, does that make sense? If she would have winked, said something about Alaska and energy and talked about John McCain the maverick one more time, I was going to throw something at the t.v!!! I also don't appreciate her "I'm like every other mom and we're a middle class family bit." I was so happy when Biden talked about being a single dad and not knowing if your son was going to live. I thought, 'you go Joe!'
I don't understand how someone who's been in Washington for over 20 years is the "change guy." Am I missing something? I realize that Biden has been there a long time too, but he's not at the top of the ticket.
Anyway, we missed the last presidential debate, so we're looking forward to the next one.
My sister always says I'm a psycho when it comes to voting, but it IS really important!!