PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

I know today is the last day of summer, but for me, fall officially began this past weekend.  This weekend was the Pumpkin Festival and that meant family, friends, and sneaking way too many pumpkin flavored desserts (sorry, baby, those pumpkin desserts were calling our names, and I had to answer regardless of blood sugar after-effects).  Long before everyone became obsessed with pumpkin flavored foods in the fall, my little hometown boasted this gourd for about the past 50 years.  We're the pumpkin capital of the world, so this love just comes natural for all of us.

 

I have never missed a Pumpkin Festival in my life up until these past two years when I was too close to my due date with Conner the first year and Conner had chicken pox last year.  That made this year extra special because it was Conner's first time.  And guys, he nailed it parade-side.  Our parade is a h-a-UGE deal to us hometown-ers.  It happens on the last Saturday of the festival but by the prior Tuesday, the 3 mile parade routes is lined with chairs reserving spots for this highly anticipated event.  No worries about chairs being stolen or destroyed here.  Everyone respects the parade traditions.

 

I wasn't sure how Conner would do during this hour and a half long parade, but like usual, I should have never doubted that little boy.  This is a candy tossing parade so Joe, Conner and I sat curbside ready to teach that kiddo how to put on a cute face, wave, and get candy thrown toward him for him to collect.  He caught on quickly and managed to build up a nice little candy stash, but he was way more interested in stepping on the curb and jumping off into the road over and over.  But he enjoyed it, and we definitely loved having all the cousins together.

 Same unimpressed look on their faces. Must have been a float that wasn't tossing candy.

 Rachel girl was soaking up every minute with her mama.

This is about the time the sugar kicked in.

 I did not hold back from that little boy eating as much candy as he could during that parade.

 

 

After the parade we started a new tradition by going back to Nana and Papa's house for lunch. Normally, the tradition is to go to my grandma Ruth's for lunch, but it finally came time for Grandma Ruth to make the decision to no longer carry on that tradition.  Let me tell you, that was the saddest news ever for me to hear she no longer wanted to continue that tradition, and I almost had to go protest, but quietly accepted that it is a lot of work for that woman to feed and entertain 20+ people.  Once I accepted that, I was thankful that my family decided to carry on that tradition for all the little grandkids to experience and grow to love.

 There were many attempts at getting a good picture with grandma and her babies.

 

And the Saturday fun didn't stop there.  My long time friend, Brittany, just moved back to the area and after years  of not seeing each other, we met at the park that evening to let Conner play and let us catch up on life.  So much fun until we had to say goodbye and then I realized just how much I miss all of our time together growing up.  By the time we left, Conner and Joe had run around that park so much that it was bath and bedtime when we got back to my parents.  By the way, can I just say how stinkin' awesome of a husband I have?  He is the best.  I normally try to tag team chasing Conner around with him, but I got to sit and chat with my friend while he climbed, ran, and squeezed through playground tunnels for almost a solid two hours.

That tunnel is definitely not made for adults.

 Sometimes you just need Dad to lift you up over the last few stairs.

 This evening weather and sunset couldn't have been better.

 

 

Sunday was a great day too.  We had another chance to meet up with some great friends that we haven't seen for years.  We met up with Chris and Peggy for lunch at Chilis and had the best opportunity to meet their little son, Graham.  If you want to see one happy, active little baby with the cutest red hair and heart-stealing smile, he's the one.  Hands down.  Even after way too long of a time not seeing each other, they have a way of making you feel like you just pick up where you left off.  They are not only two of the nicest people, but sooo entertaining.  It's inevitable that I spend all my time with them laughing, smiling and leaving with a happy heart.

 

And since we were in the area, we had to make a stop to Bass Pro to check out the fish.

 

 

Shortly after we got back to my parents, Josh and Jen surprised us with another afternoon visit.  We always love Conner having the chance to see and play with any of his cousins and of course I was super excited to spend another day with my sister.  We won't be able to see them until next year, so I was certainly glad to have one last afternoon to spend with them.

Do you see these two? Hope is so willing to give out hugs and Conner is clearly not okay with girl hugs... yet.

 

 

All in all, it was another amazing fun-filled weekend back home with family and friends and the Pumpkin Festival.