Yesterday Mark and I were invited to go to the Pumpkin Patch with Jake, Beka, and Ayeresam. It was SO fun! First stop: meet up with their family at their house. One of Ayeresam's new toys is a tunnel, which Mark promptly put on over his body in order to surprise Ayeresam when he came downstairs. Let's just say this: it worked great!
Mark popped out, Ayeresam squealed, and we headed off on our adventure. We went to Airlie Hills Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch, located about a dozen miles north of Corvallis. Such a fun place. I didn't even know it existed before yesterday, and we've decided we will definitely go back.
The sweet little family at the entrance.
Meeting the resident turkey, who of course is named Tom.
Jake and Ayeresam at the top of the hay slide.
Mark loved the doors on the barn.
Next came the hay ride, which took us on a fun, bumpy journey around the perimeter of the farm.
Safe in Grandpa's arms.
Resting for a spell.
Me, too.
Aren't they a happy, handsome group? Yeah, I think so, too!
Taking a ride in the wheelbarrow.
Touching Grandpa's cowboy hat (thanks for this pic, Jake).
Playing in the wheat bin, which is like a sand box, except the "walls" are made of bales of hay, and the "sand" is wheat kernels. Ayeresam REALLY liked this activity!
Just chillin' with the lovely pumpkins.
There was a huge semi-truck, which Jake and Ayeresam had to check out!
Leaving the farm: Jake and Ayeresam, Beka, Mark, and me. We loved it!
Ayeresam admires the Christmas tree.
Some of us went bowling - Chris, Sarah, Hannah, and Ben.
It was such a joy to have Adelaide in our home for a few days!
Helping Grammy load the dishwasher!
Eating sweet potatoes. Taking her clothes off beforehand was definitely a good call!
We girls have a tradition to go to tea at our local tea house each holiday season. I was not feeling well (I had some sort of bug for two days), so my dear girls arranged to have the tea right in our own dining room. It was so sweet of them to make it happen, and it was just as elegant and scrumptious as ever. Thanks, Ladies, it meant the world to me! And YOU mean the world to me, too.
Left to right: Christine, Hannah, Jo, Beka, and Nikki.
Hannah and her little niece.
Sitting in the pot!
While Mark read the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas Eve, the babies crawled around on the floor. They were so good - I think they somehow realized that it was a very special story they were hearing!
Then Mark read "Twas The Night Before Christmas."
Again, the little ones listened quietly - it was really impressive!
Then, we watched each of our grandkids open one of their gifts from us. Adelaide was definitely more interested in eating the wrapping paper! Ayeresam was happy to play with a little school bus from his stocking, so Jake helped his son open a book.
Adelaide opens her blocks.
Lovely time with precious people, both big and small - and that about sums it up! Happy New Year to all!
