A Journey to Love

We tried a new pumpkin patch out this year. We usually go to The Avila Valley Barn, but a new  place opened up in Paso, so we loaded the boys up to go pick out some pumpkins! The San Marcos Ranch is a super cute, picturesque ranch, with a small pond, beautiful walkways, waterfalls, and bridges. There are even a few gargoyles lurking about, adding to the ambience. Benjamin loved pulling the wagon through the pumpkin fields. He tried to lift some of the bigger specimens, but didn't have much luck. Love it. My little pumpkins. Brothers Benjamin is such a good big brother. Cutting the chosen pumpkin off the vine. Ta-da! Perfect size. Brayden thought his pumpkin was a chew toy. :)

With fall rapidly approaching, Nathan and I decided to try and fit one more camping trip in a few weeks ago. So we threw some food, clothes, firewood, and homemade cookies (yes, you must have cookies when camping) in the camper and spent four days at our most favorite place, Hume Lake. Some people ask why we always go to the same spot, year after year. Here is my answer: aside from the fact that it is just stunning in its beauty, there is a huge list of things to do there. At one time or another we have: walked around the lake rode bikes around the lake fished paddle-boated swam shopped at the three (three!) different stores...and these are not your run-of-the-mill general stores, either. slurped up amazing milk shakes while chowing down on great burgers and fries warmed our bodies with peppermint mochas from one of two coffee shops shopped for our dream cabin among all the great ones in the area rented a golf cart to peruse the area at a slightly faster (and more fu...

This past month has been a busy one for Brayden...or Brady-Bray, as Benjamin calls him. At the ripe old age of eight months, he learned how to crawl, pull up to a standing position, clap, wave bye-bye, play the ba-ba-ba game (you know, when you tap your hand on your mouth while humming), shriek very loudly to get my attention, and bite anyone who dares put their fingers in his mouth with his two new sharp teeth. Take my word for it-it hurts. Benjamin, however, thinks it's hilarious. So does Brayden, for that matter. Our little guy brings us such happiness. Brayden is filled with a joy that can't help but radiate out to anyone who is near. As he crawls around our home, I smile at the sheer wonder and delight on his face when he discovers something new. Like when he finds his brothers toy cabinet open for his viewing and grabbing pleasure. Last week I found him smack dab in the middle of Benjamin's train track. Needless to say, it looked like Godzilla had been there. I had...