Big Orange Pumpkin Farm

Bethany and I got super motivated last week and took Charlie, Evie, and Palmer up to Owens Big Orange Pumpkin Farm in Richardson.  It was really cute and we had such a fun morning exploring the place.  Charlie was a bit disappointed that he didn't get to drive a tractor (the conversation on the way up centered around what color tractor everyone would get.  Charlie and Palmer's were going to be black, brown, and white, Bethany and I got pink and purple ones, Palmer's daddy (?) got a green one, and Evie got a "baby" tractor).  He was satisfied, however, with the hayride, petting zoo, and hay maze.  

The boys loved the animals.  There were the cutest little donkeys and goats.  

Charlie still laughs when he remembers how the goats stuck their tongues out to try to get into his food cup.

 I tried to get Charlie into a shirt that matched Evie's cute little pumpkin outfit, but he moaned and groaned about having to wear a "baby" shirt.  He was much, much happier when I relented and let him wear his Levi's and boots.  Much more appropriate for a farm, don't you think?

 They even had a train!  Doesn't get much better than that.

 I tried to get a picture of the boys hugging.  Instead, it looks like P is trying to eat C's shoulder. :)

 I didn't have much more luck getting photos with the pumpkins.  I think it's impossible to get three toddlers to stay still at the same time.

 I couldn't even get two to stay still...

 Finally, success with one! ;)

 Bethany and P on the hayride.

 Evie loved the hayride.

 Me and my sweet kiddos.

For Charlie: a tractor AND a trailer.

 Charlie tried to open and close the gates here, but the Big Orange Pumpkin people weren't quite as happy about it as Papa is.  Poor guy, I think he misses Hickory Hills!

One More Shower for Baby Rein

After our week of fun in Seguin, Evie and I spent a "girls'" afternoon at another baby shower for Meg in Austin.  I loved getting to catch up with (and meet) Meg's Austin friends, and had so much fun celebrating this baby with them.  Meg's friend, Amanda, hosted the shower at her beautiful house.  It looked lovely!

  

Evie loved being with the ladies at the shower (Charlie and Papa spent the day out at the ranch.  Although it sounded amazing (based on Charlie's retelling), I think Evie was happy to stay with us :).

 Evie is hilarious when she gets out without Charlie.  Although she clearly adores him, she really comes into her own when she's out and about without him.  She is much more outgoing, and tried her best to become the center of attention at the shower (Baby Rein held its own nicely, but Evie gave it a run for its money :).  Doesn't she look cute here?  Several people thought so and tried to pick her up, only to find--as I have numerous times--that she does NOT like to be held.  This girl wants to be down on the ground and moving, all the time.  She is on a mission!  (for what, I am not sure)

 These little boots were my favorite thing that Baby Rein received.  SO adorable!

 Evie was determined to carry this package around with her everywhere she went.  It was about as heavy and big as she is, but she toted it around pretty well.  As you can tell, it looked a little worse for the wear by the time she was done with it.  Sorry about that Aunt Meggie! :)

 Meg with some of her sweet Austin friends.  

Thanks to Amanda & Co. for such a lovely shower.  I loved getting to be a part of it.  And now we are REALLY ready to get this baby here!

Charlie's Favorite Place

After Meg's Seguin shower, we stayed in Seguin for the week to enjoy seeing family and spend some time out at Charlie's very favorite place: Hickory Hills Ranch!  My dad was so sweet and took Charlie out there at least 5 times.  They drove vehicles, fished, tried to hunt down some wild hogs, and drove more vehicles.  Charlie is beyond obsessed with this place.  It amazes me what a big role the ranch (and especially the Ranger) play in his imagination.  We talk about them constantly, and he is really never happier than when he is putting on his camo pants, boots, and Longhorn hat (the outfit is critical) and heading out to "Vernia."

The best part of the ranch is, obviously, driving the Ranger.

Charlie also loves to help out around the ranch.  He never misses a chance to open or close a gate...

...or clearing brush.  He took his job very seriously and was working so hard--he literally worked up a sweat!

See how happy this makes him? :)

I went out to the ranch with Papa and Charlie one afternoon and had the best time.  We took some back roads that I haven't been on in years and it was so fun seeing parts of the ranch that I almost never see.  It looked beautiful--just a perfect fall day.

Charlie and I loved this little grasshopper. :)

Charlie's latest obsession is trailers (and trailer hitches).  When we got out to the ranch, Charlie immediately noticed that the Ranger didn't have a trailer hitch.  This really bugged him (who knows when you might need to hook up a trailer??), but luckily, his doting grandfather has gone to the tractor supply store and rectified the problem.

Since we couldn't hook the trailer up to Ranger, we did the next best thing: we hooked it up to the truck, and drove Ranger up on it (I know most of you may not be terribly enthralled by this, but Charlie was in heaven!).

Entranced.

Here they go!  Charlie was so proud that they got it on there. :)

Another great find out in La Vernia is Uncle Elam's bulldozer.  Charlie was so excited to climb up in here.  Getting him out was a bit of a challenge...

We also found this trencher while we were driving around.  Are you starting to see why Charlie loves this place?? :)

We went out to the cabin one night for dinner and Charlie and Jackson entertained themselves with an exciting tackle football game.  Charlie has since been fascinated with anything football related--I have done a like of passing, tackling, and football-watching this week.  He is lucky to have such a sweet cousin to play with!

Can't wait to get back out to the ranch.  Charlie is missing it (and the people and vehicles that come with it) terribly.  After we returned to Dallas, Charlie had to call Papa and ask whether the Ranger was missing him. :)