My favorite time of year!

I love Fall and all the festivities that go along with it. We made our first trip of the season to a pumpkin patch called Bishop's Pumpkin Farm and had a great time.

They  have lots of animals to see, pet and feed. We try and visit a petting zoo any chance we get since Riley adores animals.

The classic stance. We see this many times a day.

The Pumpkin farm has hay to jump in, pig races to watch, and structures to play make-believe.

This is our second year going, and I wish we had measured Riley's height last year!

Fun with Daddy on the old tractor tires and the stationary train

The most exciting part of the day was that Riley decided she wanted to take a pony ride. She LOVED it! It was her first time riding a horse, and we were apprehensive about how she would do. This is the same girl that screamed & cried one hour earlier while riding the choo-choo train that circles the farm. I guess since it involves animals, pony rides are a different story ...

We'll be back next year!

Dad's Retirement Party

My dad retired on Aug. 31 after a lifetime of working in various capacities. It was a highly anticipated event; he had been counting down the days for the last three years. My mom hosted a Disney-themed retirement party for him at their house since he loves Disneyland. Everyone wore Disney clothing and contributed toward a trip for my parents and their friends to go to the Happiest Place on Earth next month!

One of the many areas of Disney decor around the house

The guest of honor and amazing host: my parents

Cheers! Pam toasting the newly retired man

Dan and Sam rocking their Mickey shirts

Aunt Patsy and cousin Dru

Amber and Zach

That's water in the cup people

Tinkerbell herself, Mardee

Ty doesn't look too disgruntled at being forced to wear a Mickey shirt (with girlfriend Lauren)

Eating Mouse-shaped nuggets and popcorn

Mom and Uncle Bob

You get in a lot of pictures when you visit from out of state

Not-so-baby Blake!

The lushes

Robb chatting it up with Bob

Getting ready for the big presentation, my mom's gift to Dad

Reading the hilarious children's book all about Dad's life

Zach's gift to Dad: a plaque that he had made, since my Dad's work didn't present him with anything

Fun in the grass with cousins

Cole, Riley and Ava

It was a great time had by all, and we're enjoying all the free time my dad has now that he's a retired man!

Hodgepodge, Pt. 2

Since yesterday was the unofficial end of summer, today seems like a good day to post all our remaining summertime pics. These are in reverse chronological order, starting with most recent (obviously.)

 

Riley helping Daddy build a new filing cabinet

Learning how to hammer

Stopping to look over the edge of the trail at the river below on our Labor Day hike

Trying on Daddy's hat

"I'm going to make these leaves crazy!"

Waldo of Where's Waldo? fame recently had an anniversary. To celebrate, Robb created a "Where's Riley?" scene. Not really, but that would have been a great thought.

Fresh out of the bath

On our way to Folsom Lake for Mommy's birthday

Playing with cousins at the lake

Enjoying one last pool party with friends before school starts

Having fun painting at a local art studio

The group, at the art studio