Happy Fall!

Today we went to the park to get the pictures in the leaves.  Yesterday we were out running errands and so I brought my camera thinking that we might go to the park and take pictures.  Then when we got there I discovered I left the card out of my camera.  So I was disappointed.  Then today on a whim we tried again.  And we had success!

I took probably over 300 pictures.  So these first few are some fun, not quite frame-able shots we got.

At first the boys were not really into it.  Jace kept saying, "Let's just get this over with."  But then I bribed them.  With candy.  Because that's how I roll.  I told them they could have two Skittles for every shot I liked.  And then when we got home and I paid out, I conveniently "liked" enough shots for them each to have a fun size bag of Skittles.

Oh Jace.  He always makes the goofiest faces.

In the above picture Cameron is running to an enormous pile of leaves.  Jace has already dived into it.  But when I got there and saw how deep the pile actually was, I kind of freaked out.  I made them get out, much to their dismay.  But just the thought of what kind of creepy crawly creatures might have been lurking inside made me shudder.  It was a really really deep pile.

They had fun running down this hill, and then hiking back up and doing it again.  In the picture below if you look carefully you can see Cameron's chubby cheeks in mid-sag from his run.  

Here, let me help you see a little better.

Okay so now here are the shots that I "liked" and paid in Skittles for.

 I'd say these boys earned some Skittles, wouldn't you?

We went to a pumpkin patch today.  The weather was very fall-like, which was nice.  First we tackled the corn maze.

Last year we went to this same farm with the rest of Brice's family and we (meaning just us) ended up getting lost in the maze.  So this year we made sure to get the map.  Which really would have made no difference if I were the one trying to read it, but Brice breezed right through it.

Brice and Jace were the leaders.

While Cameron was content to dawdle behind, trying to stomp on or catch every bug he saw.

And then when he saw that Jace and Brice were getting waaaay far ahead he would come running up from behind yelling, "I catching up!"

We did some of the fun activities they had for the kids.    

And then we headed to the pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins.

I didn't get in any pictures though. I forgot about that and only remembered when we were already leaving.  That new leaf is going to be harder than I thought to turn over.

My friend posted an article on her facebook, and normally I don't read articles that people post but I decided to read this one (mostly because my friend is an awesome woman and mom so I knew it had to be good).  

Here is the link. Click on it and read, you will not regret it.

I am so glad that I read this.  In the back of my mind I always think about how I'm never in pictures because I'm always taking them, and also- let's be honest- I'd rather just avoid being in them.  But I know that years from now I'll look back and regret not capturing me in those moments with the kids.

So in an attempt to turn over a new leaf, after I read the article and stopped crying I got out the camera and set up the self timer. And the boys thought it was funny to see me race to get in the picture on time so they were very cooperative.

Also luckily I just happened to have gotten back from the doctor so I actually did my hair and make-up today.  Good timing.

After this pregnant belly and huge boob shot I wised up and used Cameron as a shield.

So here's to documenting that I'm around too!