Fall Break!

I have never really had a fall break before, because the "fall break" for students does not really include teachers. Teachers get a 3 day weekend, but then head back to school on Monday for PD and then have conferences on Tuesday. This year though, I am not working and since the boys have 5 days off of school for fall break, we definitely took advantage of their time off! Carl took two days off of work too, so we had 4 nice days together as a family! It was fantastic!

On Friday, we went out to Gallrein Farm for pumpkin picking! Since it was a weekday, they did not have all of the fall festivities up and running, but there was plenty to do. There were barely any other people there, so we got to avoid the crowds, which was really nice! We had a great time picking pumpkins and gourds, as well as petting the horses and playing on the hay pyramid and the big tunnel. We could have done more, but since it was stating to rain, we headed off to get lunch and to take a family nap. Later, we had a dance party and decorated for Halloween!

Both boys liked this tractor. Of course Preston jumped off before I could take his picture!

"This is a BIG pumpkin!"

A wheelbarrow makes riding to the pumpkin patch lots of fun!

Preston loved running through the pumpkin patch to find a pumpkin. This was his final choice!

Evan found a great pumpkin, but he also found some really cool gourds!

Evan sure has a way with animals. These horses were nowhere near the fence, but he went over to the fence and coaxed them over! Both boys enjoyed petting the horses and Preston even hugged his horse when it was time to leave!

The large hay pyramid was lots of fun!

The pumpkins and gourds look great on the front porch!

Saturday was a pretty laid back day. Evan went to his dive clinic and to a birthday party, but the weather was pretty cold and rainy, so we mostly just stayed at home and played and watched movies.

On Sunday, Carl and I headed out to the Saint James Art Festival. We had lots of fun looking at the art, as well as eating, drinking, and enjoying our time together. We purchased a few things for the house, as well as a Christmas present for Bonnie Mom!

On Monday, we went to the zoo. We had not been in a long time, so the boys were really excited to go. Bonnie Mom and Grandpa went with us and we had a really great time. Both boys were in super good moods and we were able to stay and do activities for 4 hours! We got to see all of the animals, as well as ride the train, which was definitely Preston's favorite part.

The boys loved the orangutan and the orangutan seemed to really enjoy the boys too!

Evan was really happy to see the alligator snapping turtle, as is has become one of his favorite animals.

These two are just too sweet! Here they are looking for turtles in the pond at the zoo.

We fed the lorikeets, which we have not done in a VERY long time. We had a blast!

Preston loves the goats. He was very excited when we finally reached the petting zoo!

All aboard! It's time for the train!

Tuessday was conference day, so I spent a lot of my morning at school for Evan's conferences and helping with PTA activities, while the boys spent time with Grammy. We spent the rest of the afternoon taking a needed nap and playing outside. It was a great way to end a wonderful fall break!