October means hitting every pumpkin patch in town, and I love it! I have a ton of pictures to share.

This is a foggy morning at the adorable McGrath Farms with Natalie’s preschool, Little Lights.

Ben had to be front and center (and asking questions) when the farmer was talking about organic farming.  Maybe a future career for him?

There was a corn maze on the way to the pumpkin field.  Natalie loved it and called it “aMAZEing”.

Later that week, we were at Underwood Farms with friends.  We didn’t buy any pumpkins– it was all about the pony rides!  That same day we went to Pete’s Pumpkin Patch with Andy when he got off work.

We had a great time at our church group’s Fall Festival: truck rides, games and cookie decorating at the Gerry’s blueberry ranch!

Then to Pete’s again for more family fun with Ted, Lennie and Jessica!

Lots of fun times!  The kids are begging to make their pumpkins into pies, so that is our next project.

Camping Day 2 was the most eventful, because the rest of the day-campers arrived and joined us for lunch, taco salad dinner, and a little birthday celebration!

{how fun is Mike and Argelia’s bike?}

{a walk across the street to the water. we would have loved to rent a kayak but it didn’t work out this time!}

{walk #1}

{walk #2}

 

{the newest family members: Jessica (6 months), Violet (4 months), and AJ (2 months)}

{walk #3}

{there were three birthday boys that week!}

{I just love Evy’s grubby camping hands in the tomato bowl!}

{the whole group}

We had a great time at this year’s Wilkinson Family Campout– the 2nd annual of the 2nd generation!  Getting the family (and I’m talking just the four of us) organized and prepared for 4 days and 3 nights of tent camping with small children is no easy task, but we made it through with only a couple miphaps! Believe it or not, we were able to pack everything we needed into our little Mazda, and headed off to Morro Bay State Park.   Mishap #1:  Driving all the way to Santa Barbara and realizing we had left behind Ben’s precious blanket, “Beekadee Boy”. Oops.  Back to Camarillo we went, turning a 3 hour drive into a 5 hour drive.  Not complaining, though– believe me, it was the less painful choice!

I wish I could post ALL the pictures… it is going to be really hard to narrow it down!

{note: no blanket on Ben’s lap. oops}

{we had the most fantastic, large, private, away-from-traffic camp site ever!}



{tents are SUPER exciting for kids!}

{kids everywhere! this family is expanding rapidly and we love it!}

{Natalie “interviewing” cousin Eden}

{Evie, Ben and Andrew bonding}

{great-grandparents are the awesome! so glad our kids get to know them!}

While some of the families with tiny babies headed to the hotel for the night, the rest of us roasted marshmallows and watched the sun set.  There is Day One… watch for another post coming soon!