We celebrated Fall and the arrival of cooler weather by visiting our local pumpkin patch. Meaning the local farm that ships in hundreds of pumpkins and then charges at least 4 times more than you would pay in a store. It's fun nonetheless.

We checked out the corn maze.

Matthew loved being our leader. He decided each twist and turn we would make. James was the reliable sidekick that would reiterate whatever his big brother said.

Jacob loved the pumpkins. He sat down on one and bounced up and down. I think he thought it was a big bouncy ball. Cute boy.

We always let our boys pick out a little pumpkin and then we buy the big ones from the store.

Jacob picked out his own props for the picture.

We headed over to the pig races. Pigs are smelly. Really smelly. But also very cute, in a disgusting, stinky barnyard animal way.

We enjoyed a chili dinner afterwards. Jacob couldn't get enough of the cornbread or apple pie. However, only the chili left any evidence. Look at those big blue eyes!

There was a band that set up to play and as soon as they started, Jacob was mesmerized. He wanted to join the band. I also think that he thought walking in circles was dancing.

The guy on the keyboard was in our Greenway ward. Woohoo, Bro. Curtis!

I have no idea who this kid was, but these two were breakin' down.

We got home with very sleepy, very dusty, and very cute kids. Success.

Tim and I coach Matthew's T-ball team. It is quite an experience. Matthew loves it, Tim and I have been on the fence until last night. When we said we would do it, we never thought about what we would do with James and Jacob. At the first game James disappeared and I ran around the park looking for my little guy. I was afraid he had been abducted. Obviously, he wasn't. He had just seen some big hills that he wanted to take his bike down. They just happened to be on the other side of the park. Are you kidding me? We so lucked out on that one. So last night Kristen, Amy, Colin, and Devin came up to watch Matthew's game. They were literally lifesavers, especially in James' case. Tim and I were able to really enjoy the game. We had fun and were not stressed out. Just how T-ball should be. And not only did they watch the boys, but Kristen also snapped a bunch of pictures for us. We hadn't been able to, we've been so busy coaching. So here are some of her great shots.

Matthew is a great hitter. He can really smack that ball.

I'm not sure what he was doing here, but I love how he is wearing his hat.

Tim leading the outfielders out to their spots.

James and Jacob playing peekaboo.

Every time we were up to bat, the kids would crowd around me and ask who was up next.

I love this one of Matthew and Colin! These two get along so well. They just have so much fun together. I love it. They'll be best buds for a long, long time.

Which is weird because they are nothing alike. ;)

James turns 3 tomorrow! I can't believe it!

On Sunday we had a small party with Tim's family that lives in AZ. James requested hot dogs for dinner and I made some rainbow cupcakes, which I did not get a good picture of again.

Blowing out his candles. This was hilarious to watch. He was working so hard. Spit was flying everywhere.

James wore his hat like this most of the time.

Not a super good picture of me, but oh well. I love this little guy! He brings so much to our family. We wouldn't have half the adventure and surprises without him.

James' cousin, Colin. This picture is so "Colin" to me. We LOVE that he lives so close. The boys ask almost every day when we'll see Colin again.

Matthew read James his birthday card from Grandma and Grandpa Blood. It was very cute.

Thanks Ted, Martha, Amy, Brien, Colin, Devin, Kristen, and Donavon for coming down and making it a special day for James. We love you!

Easter and Conference and Birthdays. Oh my!

Happy Easter from our family to yours! We hope you enjoyed your Easter Sunday with loved ones. We sure did. The cousins were super excited about their egg hunt.

Jacob even joined in on the fun.

Colin's 5th birthday was yesterday. So we had one action packed Sunday between Easter, Conference and birthdays. We got to choose between cake and cinnamon rolls for dessert. Would it be shameful if I admitted that I chose both?

Molly came up to me and said, "Even though Emily is the oldest, she can't do cartwheels."

Me: "Can you do cartwheels?"

Molls: "Yes, and I'm really, really good at them. Watch." Well, after I watched her, I had to do a few. They are so fun and make you feel young. James is an expert cartwheeler. Or whatever. Somersaults are more his thing.