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Blog, Fall, Family, kids, st. louis

Pumpkin Patchin’


Can you believe pumpkin patches are already open? When I saw that we had a 70 degree day on Don’s weekend, I immediately started googling to see when the pumpkin patches opened up and was pleasantly surprised to see that we were good to go!

5 kids standing next to pumpkin display

We were planning on trying a different pumpkin patch this year but we were unsure if it was open to the public during the week. And since I had my 39 week (and final!!) doctor’s appointment that afternoon, we were close to Rombachs and decided to head that way. You can see our pictures from when we visited last year right here. It’s kind of fun to compare the two years of photos!

cute baby next to huge pumpkins

baby boy at pumpkin patch

Last year Desmond was just a little baby so this year was a little extra fun because he was able to get out and explore.

pumpkins in a row and little boy trying to hold a heavy pumpkin

toddler boy picking out a pumpkin


corn stalks as decoration

Getting group shots is always a challenge but always worth the effort..
kids group shot

Just like last year, Liam took some pictures of Don and I. I love seeing these two pictures in a row because the second one kind of shows what’s going on when we stop to take pictures. Always little ones photobombing or running around just out of frame.

married couple kissing at the pumpkin patch


kids running around while husband and wife take picture

Fall outfits are starting to make their appearance and I’m in love! A few people asked me about Evangeline’s socks. I got them a while back from a shop that no longer sells them. I have seen multiple small shops that sell them but I just ordered a couple pairs for baby sister from here. The brown ones were only 76 cents–which is so worth it, even with a little extra wait for shipping.

girl wearing fox socks standing next to little pumpkin
toddler girl posing with pumpkin

two brothers having a race

older boy holding pumpkin

I just found it too perfect that we visited the pumpkin patch at 39 weeks, when baby is about the size of a pumpkin. I couldn’t pass up the photo-op.  

pumpkin pregnancy picture

39 week bumpdate photoshoot
kids looking at wizard of oz display
big family sitting with pumpkins

I was trying to get her to smile but the 3 year old attitude took over. The joke’s on her though because I love this picture!
little girl pouty face

3 kids looking through fence

boy laying down on wheels

cute baby boy sitting on wooden steps

brother and sister looking at animals

dad and boys

I’m pretty sure this was our last big outing until baby girl arrives! My doctor is out of town until my due date next Wednesday and I REALLY want him to be there to deliver the baby. Not to mention all my friends/family who will be out of town this weekend. So I’m kicking back, digging into a 3lb tub of cake (not even kidding, just check out my instagram) and trying to enjoy this final stage of pregnancy. I am so anxious to meet our precious baby but I know I will miss it all as soon as it’s over.

I hope it’s starting to feel a little more like fall for everyone else, too!

Blog, Fall, Family, kids, park

Celebrating fall with apple picking


Happy first day of Fall! We went apple picking this past Sunday and I thought the first day of fall would be the perfect time to share!

baby boy holding and eating an apple

It’s been our tradition to pick apples to kick off the Fall festivities. And I guess if you want to be technical, we didn’t actually go in fall . But I say it still counts! To start out, the number one rule when you go apple picking, you HAVE to buy apple cider donuts. Don’t argue with me, just do it. Trust me. The kids already started scarfing them down before I could get a decent picture. They are totally worth all the sticky fingers and faces that will follow.

toddler girl eating an apple cinnamon donut

girl taking bites of the donut

Desmond’s face just proves that he agrees.

cute baby boy smiling

At the orchard we go to, there are a few places for the kids to play (the bounce houses cost extra) but they are always more than content with even the simplest playground equipment. Don is working on some new projects with the GoPro (borrowed from our dear friends.) I hope that he is able to share those with you before too long! I just couldn’t resist this picture of Kingston’s pure happiness, and Desmond’s pure boredom.

dad and boys going down a slide

After a bumpy tractor ride to the orchards, we were ready to pick some apples. I’m always jealous of those people who experience those beautiful overcast days for apple picking, perfect lighting for gorgeous photos. We had the full on sun, hitting our faces awkwardly at almost all times. Anyone have advice for shooting in direct daylight? Anyway, a sweet woman asked if she could take a family picture of us. The kids may not look super thrilled in this photo (maybe a bit confused? haha) but it’s still a sweet picture and I was so thankful for her thoughtfulness!

big family

boy holding a green apple

Desmond is super serious about his apple bites. He was cracking us up. As long as he could gnaw on an apple, he was content (even while making this adorable scrunched up face!) But if he got peel in his mouth, he would start spitting it on the ground and then throw the apple. But then his apple was gone so he’d start crying for another one. Repeat cycle–over and over haha. We love going to Thierbach’s because you can eat as many apples off of the trees as you want. And our group ate quite a few.

baby boy eating and digging face into apple

dad and baby

I thought I could easily stand there all afternoon, watching her take her bites, quietly munching, while she watched her brothers pull apples from all the different trees.
little girl looking at apple
girl watching brothers pick apples

Don snapped this of me and the crew. We weren’t winning any group photo awards that day haha. At that point, everyone was ready to head back to the tractor and head home.
mom and kids posing for picture

Love this little crew—sun spots and all!!
the kids love apples
5 kids sitting in the grass

young boy looking up into tree

Apple picking is just one of my favorite ways to celebrate fall. And while I’m not a fan of pumpkin flavored anything, I do love visiting the pumpkin patch! So that will be on our agenda pretty soon. What are your favorite fall activities? Any good ideas for us to do as a family of almost 8??