Pumpkin Patch 2014

No, you're not hallucinating. I've actually posted *twice* in the last week or so. Trying to make up for lost time, I guess.

We went to the pumpkin patch today, our first one here in Oklahoma. I had no idea that it was going to be FALL weather for our adventure...so excited! I only wish that I had realized this BEFORE we got to the pumpkin patch. We had jackets (well, the boys and I did, at least) and we managed to scrounge up a hat for Nolan. Despite the chilly/wet weather, we had a great time! We rode the train, visited the animal barn, drove some tractors (aka john deere tricycles), played football, basketball, tetherball, climbed some hay bales, and picked out a couple of pumpkins. NOTE: If you go to Orr Family Farms, make sure to do the hay ride! Apparently that's how you get to the actual pumpkin patch. We didn't know this and chose our pumpkins from the mini-patch at the front of the property. Oh well, live and learn. :) Oh, and we rode the carousel. I forgot that part. Now we're home, some of us are sleeping (Nolan), some of us are watching college football (Russ), some of us are watching Veggie Tales on my iphone (Garrett) and some of us are updating this blog and patting themselves on the back for not being a slacker this time around (me, of course!). Happy fall, y'all!

The obligatory "Look How Tall We Are" photos. 

A little pre-train ride selfie fun. 

My little flies, getting stuck in the giant spider web. 

Feeding the goats 

Riding the pig (statue) 

All of my favorite animals! 

Some outdoor fun, right before it started raining again. 

Old McGarrett 

Old McNolan couldn't see through the cut-out... 

...so big brother tried to help him out.  

On the carousel! Garrett loved it but Nolan started wobbling and getting scared halfway through. He hung in there until the end though! 

I had to include this super-cute pic of Nolan from our lunch stop. He was just cracking me up wearing Russ's hat all Fresh-Prince-style.

And here he is about 15 minutes after we got back in the car to go home. Worn. Out.



Day Out with Thomas

The day *finally* arrived. Nolan has been counting down to this day since his birthday and he found out we'd be going to see Thomas the Tank Engine in person and actually going on a legit train ride. (No, for reals, we've had a countdown up on the wall since August!) I would have taken more pictures but I was enjoying just soaking in his excitement and his looks of pure joy. Garrett had a blast too and it was a great family adventure. This was Nolan's birthday present from us and from my parents too. So thank you, Grandma and Grandpa for the fun outing!

We got to ride in the dining car, with tables and chairs. The boys especially liked chanting, "Push, Thomas, push!" to help Thomas push us out of the station. 

I wish I had stepped in front of their official photographer dude to get a better picture but I didn't. And I may have caved and bought them a new train car in the gift shop but I could not, in good conscience, buy the official photo for over $20. Not. Even. 

They got to meet Sir Topham Hatt! I thought that one or both of the boys would freak out and run away from him but instead they both gave high fives and hugs. Yay! 

Golfers, we aren't. Which is why I couldn't help Garrett hold his golf club correctly at all. He's a leftie which complicates it even further. If/when he wants to learn how to golf, he'll have to ask his Papa. You've been warned, sir.

And we're back!

Okay, so we took an almost year-long break from the blog. Life got busy and left no time for the blogosphere. :) Sooooo, to recap the last 10-11 months. Here are the basics:
*I (Deanna) went back to work, teaching kindergarten for a local non-profit, Christian preschool program and the boys started going to preschool full-time as well.
*We started praying for Russ's future ministry work and where that might lead. (Okay, we didn't just start that 10 months ago, it's been an ongoing discussion with the Lord since we started seminary!)
*Russ worked for the church we were a part of (Pantego Bible Church) and then was hired on by the Salvation Army's new Youth Education Town in Arlington.
*We continued praying about where God was leading us.
*Garrett celebrated his 5th birthday in style with a Lego Star Wars party.
*Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Bob came to visit for a week in the spring.
*We prayed even harder about where God was leading us, as we felt drawn to one particular church/position.
*We traveled to Galveston (and Houston to see Grammy and Grandad) for a beach trip.
*We traveled to Illinois to visit my side of the family.
*We prayed specifically about where we believed God wanted us to go, then...
*Russ accepted a position with Heaston Church in El Reno, Oklahoma! We moved at the end of June and felt welcomed immediately. God made it abundantly clear this was right. :)
*Garrett started Kindergarten the VERY SAME DAY that my baby boy Nolan turned 3. Tears!
*We've settled in and found our own routine. Life is good here in OK and we are loving it. Most of all, I love seeing my hubby doing what he's called to do, leading and discipling. Being at the center of God's will is the best place to be, no matter where you happen to be.

That should bring everyone up to speed. I've got about 100 pictures posted below, some from the major stuff I wrote about above, some of them random. And none of them are in order. :-/ Sorry about that. I did have them in order in my folder but when I went to add them to this post they got all wonky. And I need to hurry up and post this before picking my big kid up from school. So enjoy your visual journey through our last almost-year and rest assured I will be updating this thing more than once a year from now on. I think. ;)