As our family has grown, I’ve realized just how important time together (outside of dinner time) is to the overall health of our family. Finding time to play together in the midst of busy work schedules, commitments, parties and events - is so crucial to feeling connected on this journey through life.

Every Friday Josh has “off” from work (I put off in “parenthesis” because we still set up for church on Friday afternoons). Outside of Sunday, it’s my favorite day of the week! It’s also a huge reason why we homeschool.

This past Friday we took our family day to a farm called Congaree and Penn. It’s a vineyard that also sells pumpkins during this time of year. We had to make a reservation beforehand, so it wasn’t too crowded, which was nice! Even though I’m a photographer - there are only a few times throughout the year that I bring my big camera along. I mostly use my iPhone these days. But this is my favorite time of year to document! So enjoy a few photos of our day walking around the farm, visiting with the animals, and of course, searching for the “perfect” pumpkin(s). Spoiler alert: I already found four of mine. ;)

Can anyone guess what we plan to carve our two pumpkins above?
Hint: one is going to be green.

October has long been one of my favorite months. It feels like the month that kicks-off ONE BIG PARTY that everyone celebrates until the end of the year! It’s also the month I went on my first date with my husband 13 years ago (getting old!) so there’s something nostalgic and romantic about it. And like a typical Florida girl, I get warm fuzzies as soon as the temperature starts dropping below 80 degrees.

This year it took a lot longer for the weather to cool down, so we kept postponing our annual pumpkin patch trip until last week. Micah, Hannah and Chloe FINALLY got to pick out their pumpkins to perch proudly on our doorstep! I’m thankful for traditions and the memories that go along with them. I can remember going to the pumpkin patch with Micah for the first time - and now here we are with three children and I couldn’t imagine life without any of them (although, I do sweat a little more than I did with one!)

Chloe’s first pumpkin patch experience was so fun! She was super laid-back and chill the whole time. I just love my easygoing, third baby. Can’t believe we are coming up on the big ONE soon!

Each year, I find myself getting more and more excited about celebrating the holidays with my children! This will be our sixth Christmas with Micah, our fourth with Hannah and, hoping she comes on time, our very first with Chloe! It almost doesn't seem real that I'll be a mom of three soon. Life seems to speed by as soon as children come into the picture, and I find myself reminding single friends and couples of that all the time (I'm definitely going to be that grandma!)

But I also believe the sentiment, "time flies when you're having fun!" And if there's one thing we try and do everyday - it's have a little bit of FUN! (in-between the meltdowns and chaos, of course)

This year, Micah and Hannah have been more eager than ever to help "decorate." And since I'm at that point in pregnancy when bending over and lifting is getting harder and harder, I've been more than happy to hand over the reigns! We added a little "blue" to our tree this year to help tie it in with the rest of our home, and today we finished putting the last touches around the house.

Pictured: Hannah giving out directions on who was going to do "what," Micah building a train track around the tree and both of them hug-attacking Heidi (our dog) when it was all said and done.

Not Pictured: a bruised chin while pretending to "sled" down the hallway, stepping in dog poo while barefoot in the backyard, and a 37-week-pregnant mama cleaning up after all of it. You're welcome.