A plethora of pics for phall (that was a really bad attempt at alliteration).

It has been 6 years since the whole fam went to a pumpkin patch.

(And Jeremy couldn't come to this one - bummer.)

We had so much fun!!!!!

I very honestly don't think I have seen KD smile so much in one day. . . EVER.

It was hard not to post every picture of her because she was for reals smiling all day.

Sarah, Taffy, and KD in the boat.

Jaycie, Benny, and Caden.

(Timo had a friend along so we didn't see much of him.)

There were mazes, a monstrous slide, a haunted house, a ball throwing place, camel rides, small bikes to ride, tire obstacles, duck races, animals to pet and feed, pig races, and this big enclosure filled with. . . yes, corn.

I kept finding corn in the clothes dryer for weeks after this.

It was so fun just to be a kid and play in the crisp weather surrounded by beautiful countryside.

We realized that Jaycie and Caden could pass for twins - blond hair, fair skin, same height.

They decided they could say they were 15 because Caden can't quite pass for 16.

Most of my girls - except smiling KD who wouldn't stop playing to come get in the pic.

Why is Benny standing like that you ask?

It's called trying to get corn out of your shirt that your brother found in his hoodie and kindly gave to you.

We are DEFINITELY going to make a visit to this pumpkin patch a yearly tradition.

Although next year, we are going to pack the van full of food so we can stay all day. 

Summing up

Grandma Diane was only here for a few days but we were sure glad she could come.

The kids always enjoy baking with her,

and the girls love posing for her camera.

Sarah and Taffy put on a puppet show.

KD finally took a nap (even though she fought it to the very end),

and we had a missionary fireside in our home with the youth.

The End.

(I'm not feeling very eloquent today.)

Benny is 15!

Bethany's 15th birthday was a bit of a fun marathon.

She went up to St. Louis the night before with some friends to babysit their children in a fancy hotel while they went to a conference.

She was pampered and paid for going with them - both things that Benny loves.

We met her at the temple in St. Louis the next morning.

She helped (along with other kids and parents) babysit kids while parents were in the temple.

The day had started out rainy but then turned beautiful. 

There is a park across the street from the temple where the kids played and then families all convened for lunch.

After lunch, the youth did baptisms and Timo and I went to the airport to pick up my mom.

(Talk about perfect timing!)

It was a peaceful, happy morning and afternoon.

After the 2 hour drive home, we ate dinner really fast and had Benny open her presents because. . . 

Friends were coming over for our first Missouri game night!

(The secret sign game in process.)

There wasn't a lot of downtime to celebrate having this beautiful girl in our family,

but it was a happy celebration nonetheless!

We love you Benny!!!!