Buckalew Farms Pumpkin Patch

It was time again to head to Buckalew Farms to pick out our pumpkins for Halloween. We got really luck because the last three years it's been extremely hot!! This year we were blessed with low 70 degree weather. It was perfect! Papa & Lala joined us again along with Uncle Jay, Aunt Betsy and Seamus. It was pretty cool all the varieties of pumpkins they have, including blue pumpkins!

Sydney in front of the height tracker. She's grown A LOT since last year!



I couldn't resist, four years of Scarecrow photos at Buckalew Farms. It's amazing how much she changes every year.



You haven't lived until you've seen a pumpkin totem pole



Our pathetic attempt at a family photo. Note to self: If it's too sunny, then wear your sunglasses! We need to start taking tips from Sydders



Waiting for Uncle Jay, Aunt Betsy and Seamus to arrive



Papa & Lala



The Tractor photo op....which they weren't even tall enough to stand behind last year!



What would a pumpkin festival be without leaving with your caramel and sprinkle covered apple? Let me just add, holy mess in the car on the way home!!



Sitting on the haystack tower!



...with a baa baa here and an oink oink there...



Not many of the animals were hungry, but that didn't stop us from trying!



Aunt Betsy helping Syd feed the donkey



Chris ended up having to feed the rest of the animals. Chris and his llama



After all that fun, it was time to hop aboard the wagon to ride out to the pumpkin patch!



Don't be scared, Lala



The guys



Papa finding the first blue pumpkin



Off to find our pumpkins!



Here's Syd convincing Papa that she deserved to steal one of his blue pumpkins. (thanks Papa!)



We had another wonderful year, despite poor Bets stepping in the mound of red aunts that quickly climbed up her leg, biting her all along the way. Loved our Buckalew Farms trip. Now on to carving the pumpkins!!

Hippity Hop Dippity Dop

I remember having my own hopper when I was little. It was red and my brother and I would hop on it all over the place. Kinda fun to see Syd playing with the same toys that we used to enjoy. Hers has a little bit of a Halloween twist to it, so I thought it was appropriate to post it this week as we're leading up to Halloween.

Fall Festival

This past weekend was Syd's Fall Festival at school. It's so much fun and all the proceeds they make go to the Make A Wish Foundation. I'm so in love with her school and all of the teachers there. It's like a small family and you rarely ever (in fact I can't think of a single one) see teachers leaving there. It's been all the same teachers since the first day Syd started when she was 7 months old.

Syd dressed up as Sleeping Beauty before we left for the Fall Festival



Syd played Miss Amy's musical circle and won on the first try. Winner gets a cupcake!



Chris feeding our kid worms!!



A few of the teachers created a haunted house out of two of the rooms. They dressed up in dark capes and had a little course for the kids to walk through. Syd got a little freaked out and her teacher Miss Heather ran up to her, saved her and said "Don't scare her, I love her!!" It was so stinkin cute. Here's Syd just coming out of the haunted house.



Syd and her friend Morgan from her class



Sleeping Beauty



Mis Candice's room was "Kisses in the Dark" The kids would have flashlights and they'd turn all the lights off. Miss Candice would throw hershey kisses in the air and they'd have to find them with their flashlights.



They decorated one of their playgrounds as a pumpkin patch. Was pretty nice, all the parents could sit down at the pint-sized tables and watch as the kids played around in the playground.



They had the local fire department come by with a fire truck so that the kids could take turns getting inside and seeing what it's like to ride inside the truck. So cool (a real nail-biter)!



I think Chris might've enjoyed it more than Syd



Back inside, Syd had Miss Kendra (aka Elmo) a ladybug on her cheek



Don't all ladybugs have "dark puple" glitter on them? Dark purple obsession.



Sneak attacks from her favorite person on the face of the earth, Miss Heather (Fedder as Syd calls her).



Syd and Miss Heather {LOVE}

Burnett Dairy Farm

The night before we headed back home, we decided to take a quick trip to Burnett Dairy Farm, which was about 20 mins away or so for some ice cream. They've won several awards for their ice cream and cheese. Did I mention previously how attached Syd was to her cousin Sammy? She never left his side, and when she did all she'd say was "I miss Sammy." In fact, that's all she still talks about. He was sooo good with her. He'd hold her and play with her in the pool. He'd play her silly games where she'd capture him and lock him in the dungeon. So cute! Needless to say, she's still bugging us on when we're going back to see them all again.

Syd and Sam



On the way to the dairy farm we saw this insane mist that crossed the street. It came out from the trees in such an odd way. So glad the pic came out (especially since Chris told me it would never come out right).



Annnnd here we arrive at the Burnett Dairy Farm!



This was one of my favorite moments. We ordered Syd a baby size cup of ice cream, I got a small and Chris a small as well. The lady said "That'll be $2.45" Chris shook his head in disbelief and said "Two dollars for all of this??" Apparently we're so used to all the inflated prices we paid in Chicago!



Evan and Syd roaming around the store trying to think of some other things to buy.



The crew eating their ice cream outside. Four bug bites later on Syd, it was time to go back to the hotel to hit the sack.



It was both such a wonderful trip and sad at the same time. We're so happy we were able to spend those special last moments with Great-Grandma and see the rest of the family. It only reminds us of what a wonderful family we have. We miss you all and love you so much!

White Pine Cemetery

The Lauder family owned several acres around their current home and at one point owned the land where White Pine Cemetery lies. Several of the Lauder family members are buried here. It's a beautiful cemetery just up the street from Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa's house. It's nestled on a quiet country road and tucked in a little nook surrounded by trees. It's absolutely beautiful.

Before we all went back to the hotel for the night, we stopped by the cemetery to pay our respects.

This was Syd's first time ever walking around in fallen leaves. She was having so much fun.

What's one to do in the leaves? Lay down, of course!! Nonnie gave these bracelets to Syd the day we arrived. Everyone was having such a hard time on Sunday, mourning Grandma. Whenever Syd would see someone crying, she'd walk up to them, take off one of her bracelets and hand it to them. She'd say that the bracelet would make them feel better and to not cry. It was just absolutely previous. She has such a big heart.

There's nothing that's more fun than this.

The view of the street from the cemetery

The view directly across the street from the cemetery. Beautiful!

The whole gang. Uncle John, Aunt Tracy, Sammy, Evan, Aunt Amanda, Chris, Sydders and me.