1st Harvest

Eric read a study as he was preparing for Sunday's sermon that said the average family spends 49 minutes together a day. 

 

Yesterday we spent that and then some harvesting pumpkins. 

We are either preparing to welcome fall like, today, or jinxing it's arrival. It's our version of groundhog day. If fall sees a pumpkin before it's ready does that mean we'll have 6 more weeks of summer? Because...no.  Too hot.

See, Yaya has created the most beautiful and fruitful pumpkin patch in the back yard and those little beauties oranged up a few days ago and are just taunting us! We picked one a week or so ago and already carved it. Too soon?

 

Amos is the only kid who would look at the camera, bless him. He was enthused as you can tell. 

Then a stroke of genius...
There we all were with a spare Yaya to take over the camera...

Family Photo Shoot!

Fall is my favorite and pumpkins are my favorite and they...those kids up there and that fella...

they're my favorite.

And this too:

 Ermagerd. Hervy.

Early Birds

This little pumpkin has been calling to Eli. 

It is the first to be plucked from the patch in Yaya's garden. There are about a dozen still brewing there. But this little guy has been calling to him. 

So today, he answered. 

We found an angry birds template and tool set at target and lo and behold, nearly 5 year old Eli is big enough, dextrous enough and doggone it, he wants to carve his own. 

Holy big kid batman.

So proud.

 Blowing raspberries to extinguish the candle = Hilarious.

Hazel was a bit flummoxed by the whole proposition. 

 

Yes. I know the date. September 16. This pumpkin will be long since rotted before the leaves start to fall. But there's a patch full out back and in the support of excitement, I let Eli follow his carving calling.

And I roasted the first batch of pumpkin seeds. To a crisp! Doh.  

Noooooooo!

One is Fun!

 Today this sweet little nugget turned one.

Wait. What?

I am a notorious over-doer of 1st birthdays. This was no exception. I was talking to someone who thought that was a waste because one-year-olds won't remember and can't really enjoy their first birthday. True. But I can.

And really, the first birthday to me is more of a celebration that holy cow, we all survived this first crazy year so here...have some cake.

And by 2 they have opinions so for the 1st birthdays, I'm in charge.

"On Parade" by Sara Jane Studios made the perfect theme for a wee baby girl's first birthday party. The talented Sunny B embroidered it on Hazel's birthday bloomers.

Perfection LL. Pure perfection.

Hazel had a blast with her wee baby friends who were there. And the boys had plenty of older siblings to play with.

 

That one there is Maisey Hayes. They are destined to be besties. I mean Hazey Mae and Maisey Hayes? Can't fight it. 

 Yum.

The brothers had fun too. Crafts, bouncy castle, diggers? Yes please.

That's one of my favorite shots of the day. It was a gorgeous day for a front yard party and a grand time was had by all.

 Kisses.

Her little elephant cake makes me so happy. Got the idea for it on pintrest. Here's the source. 

 Love.

Eric and I hypothosized early in the day that Hazel would go after her first birthday cake with the most zeal of any of our children. 

 We were not wrong. 

 Yes. Hazel had a wardrobe change mid-party. Diva.

 Her favorite spot of the day was under her rolling highchair. Nice n' shady.

Here are the boys on their first birthdays!:

                                 Amos.                                                                Eli (a.k.a. the boy Hazel)

We are filled, nay, overflowing with joy.
We leave you with a birthday kiss from Hazel.
The one year old.