Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Pumpkin Patch

This week my mom was here helping with the babies. She is so great to try to come every month---I always love having her here to help! Now that the babies are a little older, we have been a lot more adventurous in taking the babies places. It is always a lot of work to get out the door and manage the chaos wherever we go, but it is usually worth it to get out of the house for a while. The babies really enjoy a change of scenery as well. It is amazing how fast the day goes when we have some kind of outing!

This week we took the babies on their first trip to the outlet mall---I figured I better start getting them used to it, since I love to shop and the Children's Place outlet has come great deals! The babies also had their first experience with a fast-food play place. We took the family to eat at a new Chick-fil-a that opened near us. I have a really favorable opinion of Chick-fil-a---especially after this weekend. We made a huge mess and the workers didn't even glare at us---instead they came to our table and offered to refill our drinks! It is a very family friendly establishment. They have little containers of Cheerios for younger kids. They also give out place mats that stick to the table to make things a little bit more sanitary (of course my crew thought they were more fun to rip off and play with, but it is a great idea!). The kid's meal toys are always educational--usually a book or craft project. The chicken nuggets are actually pieces of real chicken that they cut up, bread and cook on-site, and the lemonade is fresh squeezed. This particular Chick-fil-a had plenty of high-chairs (which is not always the case when we go out) and they had a great toddler area in the play place. Ryder especially just loved it. He couldn't stop laughing and running around. I am bummed that I didn't take any pictures of it!

Saturday we took everyone to the pumpkin patch at Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls (about a 45 minute drive from our house). Jayson got called, at the last minute, to go down to Galveston and help clean up the mess left by Hurricane Ike, so it was just my mom and I with all seven kids. We met Jayson's brother Joel and his wife Tobi and their two kids (Alec and Cora) at the farm. The farm is always a fun place to go in the fall. They have all kinds of different pumpkins, a hayride, pony rides, goats to feed, pumpkins to paint, fall flowers to pick and corn field mazes. It has been our tradition to go there every year. We missed last year because the babies were too young, so Riley and Kaiya were really looking forward to it this year. It was a hot day and very dusty at the farm. Having the babies along also limited what we were able to do. But despite all this, I think that everyone had fun---at least part of the time!

Kaiya, Riley, Cora, Alec, Ryder, Kyndall, Kassidy, Rustin, and Kaydence.


I can't get the babies to even try most of the yummy food I make for them at home, but they all wanted a bite of the pumpkins! (Ryder, Kyndall, Kassidy, Rustin, and Kaydence)


Kaiya and Riley--I know that this isn't the best picture of them, but I thought it was so funny. Kaiya was really mad that Riley got to sit next to the big pumpkin. Life is soooo unfair!


Playing on the tractor--Kyndall, Kassidy, Rustin and Ryder


More fun with the tractor


Kyndall, Ryder, Rustin's back, Kassidy and Kaydence. It is nearly impossible to get Rustin to sit still long enough to take his picture!


Kaiya and Riley


The Hayride! Riley and Kaiya had their hearts set on going on the hayride. Joel and Tobi didn't want to go, so we took everyone by ourselves. I think this was the only part of the day where we seriously considered having ourselves committed to the insane asylum when we got back. Before we got on the ride, we didn't realize that part way through they were going to drop us off, have us walk through a tunnel to the other side of the road, and get on another trailer to finish the ride. Luckily Riley was able to carry Kyndall and my mom and I each carried two babies and somehow we made it! As long as we were moving, the boys thought it was fun. Kyndall also gave no complaints. Kassidy hated the whole thing (did I mention that it was really dusty???).


Playing in the pumpkins--Kyndall, Ryder, Rustin, Kassidy, and Kaydence


The big kids--Alec, Riley, Kaiya and Cora

Kassidy


Kaydence

Rustin

Kyndall


Ryder


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32 comments:

Stephanie said...

It's nice to know that Max and Renee aren't the only brother and sister duo that fight over silly things like sitting next to the bigger pumpkin.

Amanda said...

Oh my! I can't believe how different they look than they did when I saw them a month ago. Ryder especially! He looks like a little boy, not much of a baby anymore.

Glad you guys had fun and props to your mom for braving that outing with you. :)

ShEiLa said...

What a wonderful 'autumn' post. I am always amazed that you have the courage to leave the house. So many babies... so few hands.
I enjoy checking your blog from time to time.
ToOdLeS.ShEiLA (Nevada)

C. Beth said...

Oh, such GREAT pictures! I really love the one with Kaiya's "mad face". My almost-3-year-old has been working on perfecting her mad/sad faces lately.

http://cbethblog.blogspot.com
http://oneminutewriter.blogspot.com

Kristi said...

And for the ice cream addict in us all...I love that at Chick-fil-a you can take that educational toy and trade it for an ice cream cone if you want (which is great for me since I just order a kids meal for myself anyways).

Cute pictures! I'll have to check out that pumpkin patch!

tck4texas said...

Hi Rachelle! I haven't been by in SO long. Can they really be that big? Oh so adorable, love the pumpkin patch idea. My aunt in Arizona mentioned your blog and I suddenly missed coming by. School has got me so busy these days. Hope you are well!

Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke said...

I love all their individual shots...it looks like it was warm out there (rosy cheeks) good for you for getting out and having fun! Maybe you sold me on chick fil a (that was practically an advertisement...you should contact them about having a click link on your sidebar) I'll give it a shot.

Julianne said...

Wow, what an adventure for all of you to the pumpkin patch! Cute pictures! They are all getting so big. Riley and Kaiya are just all grown up, it seems.

I love Chick-fil-a!

Pinspot said...

Cute pics! Cute brown overalls! I've recently discovered Chick-Fil-A and all it's family friendliness. Every time I go, I end up wanting to write them a little thank-you note! What a great place!

Spence Ohana said...

WOW what an adventure! You and your mom are brave! :-) We plan on going to a patch this weekend we were thinking either that one in Marble Falls or the one in Elgin.

Elyse said...

PRECIOUS pictures! They are growing up so fast! Ryder sure is cuter than a few pictures ago!

Glad you all had fun! Great pictures!!!
~Elyse~

Jen Wilson said...

Great post!! I always love seeing pictures of your beautiful children.

Apis Melliflora said...

Kids with pumpkins are my favorite of all the seasonal pictures. That is one fine punkin patch you've got there: one photo op after another. The kids look fantastic!

lindsay Roscoe said...

Wow look at your crazy visitors map. You have so many visitors you red dots can barely all fit on the map. You are so brave to take everyone out with just 2 of you. I am sure it is well worth it though when you get hoem nad all the kids are sleeping and you can say you went out and did something for the day. They all are so adorable, I can't believe how big Ryder looks. Happy Halloween!!

Mommato4miracles said...

So cute. The picture of Kyndall all by herself is just priceless. Got to love the fall traditions and pumpkin picking:-) You guys are so inspiring.

Anonymous said...

What a great event for you all. I love getting out of the house. Seems like when I am by myself I am often here unless there is a need to get out and then when I have those extra hands I want to go everywhere. HA! Everyone looks great and well. Enjoy the rest of your fall season.

The Queen Vee said...

They all look so grownup. I'm so glad you are getting some opportunities for outings. I know it is a lot of work to make it happen worth it for all of you.

I would have loved to see pictures from the Chick-fil-a outing. Maybe next time.

Your mom has really been super mom along with you.
Kiss those kiddos for me.

Crazy Granny said...

I wish I could have been with all of you. Love the pic of Miss kaiya, she looks much happier in the tractor shot. I can't wait to see all of you. BettyAnn has really been a trooper. Chick-Fil-A has the very best lemon aid.

Tobi said...

I love the first picture with all the kids. Will you send that one to me? How amazing that almost all of them are looking at the camera.

Kelly said...

I love the individual pumpkin pics. It's wonderful that your mom can help. We missed you last week. Bring her by the next time she's in town if she is still wanting to see our pool.

Schauers Hours said...

Wow I must say you are such a wonder woman, your mom too. Although you got some REALLY cute pictures there and I bet the day really went fast!

Dorinda said...

LOVE the pictures :) Especially the individual pictures and the girls bows. Sooo cute. I just love pictures of babies and pumpkins :) We take the kids and babes to the pumpkin patch tomorrow - so excited! Adorable family.

Anonymous said...

So, you like photography. Cool. I do some my own as ell. Not professional but I do take pictures for families I know for fun. Thought about doing it for some extra income in the future once I learned a bit more. Another thing we have in common other then having quints, and the love of chocolate. HA!

Anonymous said...

I'm also a fan of Chick-Fil-A (or however you spell it). And I do usually like the toys that they give out, however last month we were there and the toy was a geography-based game, and the instructions include a map of the Northern and Western United States, and Utah was marked "New Mexico". (The real New Mexico was not on the map.)

Seriously. On a Geography game.

Too funny.

Your kids are adorable (all 7 of them!). I pity their elementary school when the quints get there :)

Starla said...

Hey! They played your video at halftime today! (Homecoming) It was a big hit!

Anonymous said...

Your kids are gorgeous! Riley, Kaiya, Kassidy, Rustin, Kaydence, Ryder, and Kyndall are all amazing! They are getting so big also!

The Flying Normanos said...

Another great thing about Chick-Fil-A is that they close on Sundays to allow their employees to attend church!

Please let Jayson, and all the others in your ward, know how much we appreciate the willingness they have shown to help those hard-hit in our area get back to normal.

Jeannie said...

these are the cutest pumpkin patch pictures ever! your children are beautiful!!

Nichols Family said...

Rachelle,
I'm putting my blog on private so if you want an invite see my blog and let me know your email.

-Jennie

Carroll Family said...

Looks like so much fun! I, too, LOVE Chick-fil-a! They are so family friendly and thoughtful! Their food tastes good, seems a little more healthy (w/ whole wheat buns), and they have hand washing things outside the play area - that's big for me! I thought the little cheerios was cool, too.

Jenna said...

I just have to tell you, that after reading your story about your pregnancy I am truly inspired! My mother in law came to visit you a couple of weeks ago and I would love to email you about some questions! I am pregnant with quads and I live in Dallas. My email is jkingheritage@yahoo.com!
Jenna King

Valerie said...

What fun!!! They look so cute sitting among the pumpkins.