{The patch}

What would an October be without a post about a visit to the pumpkin patch? For the past four years we've gone to Howell's. It's been a fun little tradition we all look forward to every October.

We made our little trek to the pumpkin patch on Saturday. I was a little sad to have to say another goodbye to an Iowa tradition we won't be doing again.Things to Remember:
+The Mud. From the time we stepped out of the car until the time we got back in to leave we were in mud. We knew there would be mud due to the rainy days we had during that week...man were we dirty! I'll have you know that I even wore tennis shoes with my jeans!! Some of you might not think that's something but if you know me I just don't do tennis shoes unless I'm working out or camping.
+The old guy who drove us back to the patch. Apparently in order to work on a farm you have to be wearing white and blue striped overalls and some sort of trucker hat.+finding the perfect little pumpkin.
+Accidentally making Ella fly off the teeter-totter. Seriously, she flew and then thudded to the ground. I really thought Bret was holding the totter behind her. I was wrong. I felt bad.
+The smell of fresh kettle corn being made. They offer free samples...that's how they get you. Cause who can just take the free sample and NOT get a bag?
+Coming to the realization that my girls are getting big...FAST! See past patch experiences {HERE} and {HERE} for proof. Makes me really want to live in the moment and find joy in each and every day with them.
+Mailee licking her pumpkin - apparently that would let others know it was hers.+Ella calling the stem of the pumpkin its belly button (she likes {this} song)
+The beautiful Fall day (despite the mud).
+Having Bret there with us. We were worried he might not be able to do any of the Halloween festivities with us.
+On the way home I was "punch dancing" in the car trying to make the girls laugh. I totally punched the rear view mirror by accident with one of my sweet moves. It was pretty funny, although the look of "My-wife-be-crazy" that Bret had plastered across his face was my reward (you should see the sweet bruise i have on my right wrist).

I will miss the Howells Pumpkin patch when we move. It juust doesn't seem right to go to the pumpkin patch in sandals and capris.

p.s. Today this comes out. This is a big deal in our house. Bret has been waiting for this movie to come out since he saw the preview on the Enchanted DVD. I suppose Ella and Mailee could be convinced to watch it...at least half right? :P Okay so maybe it's the girls who can't wait to get this DVD. I'm thinking of ways to bribe them/get good behavior from them with it...and Bret, well he has to endure yet another girly cartoon (at least Tinkerbell and her friends are hot right? :D)