"Take a right on the second dirt road and a left after the trailer where all the dogs come out to chase your car."

We mixed it up and visited a new pumpkin patch this year. It's hard to say which one we like best. Here is what we know: sisters are the best.

Chuggie on the mule train is the best.

"Fred" the hayride driver in the background was the best. (seriously, if Jungle Cruise were a hayride...)

Babies in a pumpkin patch are the best.

Strangers who look at the photo they just took, wince, then say, "ehhh...yeh want me to do another one?" are the best.

Wagons in October are the best.

Crashed 6 yr olds are the best.

"I'm not tired, I'm just taking just little rest on my Mama," is the best.

Hayrides with my family are the best

Picking our pumpkins off the vine is the best.

Wanting a gray lumpy pumpkin is the best.

Hugs from Daddy are the best.

A day in the sun with these people is the best.

Awkward family photos are the best.

Dogpiles at the end are the best.

Every Sunday,

I sleep in.

Every Sunday, Aaron wakes up with the kiddies at whatever unnatural hour they decided was acceptable for weekend rise and shine.

Every Sunday, I am served breakfast in bed (always a waffle with chocolate chips and syrup) at 7:30 by three sticky lovey children.

I love Sundays.
I married up.

Things that must be shared

I am a terrible photog. Especially when it comes to food. I should have channeled my inner Sheena and at least wiped the basil from the side of the bowl. No time for that. I snapped this shot, we sat down to eat, and the pasta was gone within minutes. Thanks to Emily, this is my new staple. (how am I not 500 lbs?)

fresh garlic (pressed)

pasta: linguine, spaghetti, angel hair

fresh tomatoes (dice)

fresh basil (chiffonade)

sea salt

pepper

marjoram

olive oil

balsamic vinegar

cook noodles. toss with everything else. eat. be happy.

thank you emily, for bringing this simple goodness into our lives.

{lovey}

Dearest Little Girls,
You are growing up so fast.
I love that you are finally at an age when I can tiptoe into your room at night while you are sleeping. (You were such light sleepers for years, I never wanted to risk waking you up)
I've been waiting and waiting for this stage for a very long time, and it is finally here.
I love spying on you while you sleep so much, that it is becoming a habit, and it is difficult to pass by your room on my way to bed without stopping in for a "fix".
So I don't pass by.
I sneak in.
I give you another kiss.
I tuck you back under the covers that you've kicked off.
I move your arms that are hanging over the edge back up on the bed.
Sometimes, I move you (Quincy) back into your own bed, when you've fallen asleep at the food of your sister's.

If you stir, I give you a hug and you brush the hair from your face, smile, and nuzzle your cheek back down against your pillow.
I snuggle you.
I sit on your bed and stroke your hair during a thunderstorm.
I watch you sleep.
I kiss you again.
I love you.

I absolutely love being your mother.
Love, Mom

PS-there is a CRAZY storm outside and it will rain all day. It's the kind of storm where the power flickers on and off, and the thunder shakes the whole house.
Quincy and Corbin will be next-to-naked all day, because I am not enforcing the "must wear pants rule", Reese gets to stay home from preschool, and we are currently eating chocolate peanut butter milkshakes for breakfast. No, not the "healthy kind" of shake, the ice cream kind of shake. It's going to be a fantastic morning. I can feel it.