An October tradition

Sunny Sunday Stroll? Not!

The kids were with us for the weekend as Joylynn was at a church retreat and Jess had Guard drill. This is the first time I've ever seen part of the Portland Marathon. We drove by several miles of these runners as we headed out to Sauvie's Island for a visit to the Pumpkin Patch.

Blue skies and orange gourds

 

I've never experienced the Pumpkin Patch on a weekend. (One of those homeschooling perks) I'm certainly glad that we got there early on Sunday. The paved parking lot between the store, gift shop, snack shack, and animal barn is closed to vehicles on weekends. It is a smart idea, but makes for a lot of walking. Good thing we had a beautiful day to be out in the fresh air. The first thing the kids did was climb to the top of the hay pyramid.  Then we got in line for the hayride out to the fields.

Garrett, Wyatt and Genevieve sat between Hayden and Cameron. Danika sat next to me.

 The kids didn't take long finding their "perfect" pumpkins. I managed to remember to bring bags so we didn't struggle with having the kids get all muddy or keeping the things from rolling off of the hay wagon. We saw someone's roll off of the flatbed behind us as we hit a bump coming out of the field.

I snapped a picture of Hayden and had him take one of Garrett and me on the way back. Poor Gar-bear wasn't feeling 100%

Tradition! It's a wonderful photo op

They don't have cut outs made for four so we did a boys and girls shoot.

 And another pose in front of the store.

And a couple more of these two beauties

A phinal photo in the phlower pheild :D

When I point a camera at them they almost always line up in a straight line in age order. 

Silly children.

Lloyd Center autumnal color

I appreciate all of the planners that have, over the years, planted so many trees that turn into these vibrant displays of color. If you drive out into the country there is an occasional splash of red or orange but it's mostly gold that is prominent. Pretty but not very showy. The neighborhoods, though, are awash with an entire palette of fall colors from the palest yellows through to the darkest burgundies. There is enough green left to let us believe that these sunny days are not ready to concede to the rains of fall and winter.

By the time I get used to the changing season, I'll be ready to accept it but this has been a wonderful summer and I'm not quite ready to bundle up.