For the Love of Pumpkins

 I'm still getting used to California weather.

While Orelia may be pictured here in pants and a sweater, it was really 80 degrees (or more) at the pumpkin patch.

 Mommy was melting.

 Orelia had a ball.

 Bennett was sick and stayed home with Daddy, so Orelia and I met our friends for a sweaty fall adventure.

Every single parent in attendance had their DSLR out to capture the family fun.

The kids were all enjoying themselves immensely except for the forced photo-ops.

Orelia does best in photo shoots when she can pretend to be Darth Vader using magical powers (see above).

 Or when we can play peek-a-boo in a hay maze.

Of course hopping into a wheelbarrow produces a genuine smile.  Luckily Orelia realized a bumpy wheelbarrow is not a very safe place to ride, and got out to make room for the pumpkins.

 As you can see, she chose a lot of pumpkins.

 The big one was for Daddy and is named "me" (i.e. "Orelia").

 All of the other pumpkins were just too perfect to leave behind (according to Orelia).  It was fun letting her "shop" at the pumpkin patch and have her three-year-old fun.

 Orelia is dressing as a fairy for Halloween and John will be Darth Vader.  Orelia has decided she will be "killing" Darth with her fairy powers, so watch out, Dad.

This little girl genuinely just loves pumpkins!  I promise I didn't pose this photo, she just has an obsession with fall's bounty, even if it is 80 degrees out here.

I'm more of a mocha girl, myself, but I foresee a pumpkin spice latte obsession in her future.  On ice, please.

Daddy's Back

 John was in China for twelve days, and things ran smoothly in his absence since my mom was here to help.

Ever since he returned, Orelia has been completely Daddy-focused in all things.

It's so sweet to see how much she missed him by how excited she is that he's back.

There are some special things a girl can only do with her Dad.  Thank God he's back!

Bubbles and Popsicles

With two kids around, I can't feasibly take my camera everywhere or even most places.

I leave it sitting near my back door, but it's still not within easy reach every time I get inspired to take a photo.

Looking through my photos from the end of summer, however, it seems like every single time we played with bubbles and every single time Orelia ate a popsicle, it was well documented.

I must love bubbles and popsicles, I suppose.

Or perhaps the kids are both happy and I can actually run inside to get my camera for a change.

At least according to my photographic history, all we did was play with bubbles and eat popsicles all summer long.

There is definitely something beautiful in that sentiment.

A part of me wishes we really did spend every morning and afternoon lounging about eating popsicles for every meal and going through galloons of bubble solution every week.

I suppose the novelty would have worn off if we did it too much.

Luckily, bubbles still have their allure.

Especially when shot through a fan gun.

Though Orelia was adamant this wasn't a bubble "gun."

I stand corrected.

For the hottest weeks of the summer, Orelia would be about to drift off for her nap and would request a popsicle "when I wake up."

"Sure, sure," I would agree, knowing full well you don't argue things when you are about to close the door at nap time.

Sure enough, she remembered my agreement, and always made sure I followed through on my promise.

Most of the time she only finishes half the popsicle herself, and I am stuck with the arduous task of finishing it for her.

Some tasks in motherhood are harder than others.

Farewell sweet summer, we have enjoyed you immensely.

Bennett Through the Year

What use are all my monthly photos if I don't post them all in a progression?  

So here he is Bennett as he grew from little nugget to big boy this past year.

We sure love this little guy.  It's a good thing his 12 months are up, because it is impossible to take a photo of him flat on the ground anymore!