Desert Fall

The desert fall so far has been mostly just hot, but it hasnt stopped us from getting out and pretending that leaves turn colors here too! Fall is my favorite time of year for this midwestern gal, even in the desert. We went to two pumpkin patches. First one just the four of us where we got to play western games (pretty much just climbing around on hay bails for Will and Ada), sit on a tractor, pet some mules and bunnies, and take a hay ride drawn by horses! Second time around was with Tia and Uncle AJ at the Desert Botanical Gardens. They took Ada and Will on a pony ride --Will signed "more" when it was all done--and loved running through the corn maze with them.

Then of course the trick or treating! Halloween is one of our two steadfast holidays we get to be an adopted Doneski, so we packed up and spent the evening with "Grandma" Linda and "Grandpa" Mike, the Murrays, and our pals Sofia and Leah (parents Steve and Kiva too!). I undertook my first costume making experiment with the kids this year, and in true toddler form, they wanted NOTHING to do with it the morning of Halloween. So they wore what they wore, and I still think they looked adorable! Didnt take Will long to get the hang of trick or treating this year. One house and he understood he was to run right up to each house and knock on the door. He led the clan without reservation around the neighborhood. Ada hung back with Leah, bringing up the rear, but was very good at taking "just one" from each persons dish. Then to get back to the house! One pack of smarties each, and they were bouncing all over the place the rest of the night! Buncha kids. Then I ate three Almond Joys. What of it?!

"Hi!"

Ada with death grip on her first pony.

Hay ride with Tia and AJ!

Fall cutie.

Halloween tat. Totally like, the coolest.

Chasing AJ in the corn maze.

The winner!

Cowboys and fiddles and a pumpkin patch. 

Found his pumpkin. Both baking in the sun.

Best of like a hundred uncle-aunt-pumpkin picture attempts.

But here my FAVORITE uncle-aunt-pumpkin picture! So awesome.

Painting our pumpkins. Here, at just starting.

Here, at finish! They turned out great. And Ada didnt want to take her paint shirt off.

Happy Halloween! Pre-trick or treat playing with our bud Chase.

Love birds! Ada and Will wore they're home made wings for exactly two minutes--snapshot! Gotcha Ada!

Blurry Will back shot, love bird. Adorable right?!

Mom and Dad were the trees.

Mom and her unused wings.

Hand over the candy dad...

Smarties heaven.

Happy Halloween!