Girls Day Out

One of my favorite fall traditions is a fairly recent one. For the past three or four years, a few weeks before Halloween, my family makes a trip to visit Kelly and to go to a pumpkin farm. This year it was a girls only trip (because our significant others didn't want to go).

 Julie, Mom, and Kelly on the hay ride

My sisters and I

First we stopped to see the animals, but I only got pictures of the alpacas because I got distracted by the 6 week old kittens that they had there. They were so cute, and it is probably a good thing I am allergic because we might have had a new housemate. And then I'd be in trouble. 

An alpaca (not a llama) 

Then we went through the corn maze. Last year they had local school names to unscramble throughout the maze, this year they had two paths, nursery rhymes and U.S. presidents. We started with nursery rhymes, but it was too easy, so we switched. I was always at the end of the line because I kept stopping to take pictures.

 Baa Baa Black Sheep

That's my mom!

And we went on a hayride. There's not much to say about that, but I did get some good pictures. So enjoy it with me.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the farm.

But of course the main attraction was the pumpkins. One of my favorite things about this farm is that they sell pumpkins they call "misfits" for 50 cents. "Misfits" are basically pumpkins that are flat on one side, or are bumpy, have no stem or something else that makes them not "perfect". They are the best kind of pumpkins to get, especially for the day care because the kids don't care if a pumpkin is perfect. Since we went a little later this year, the "misfits" were on the smaller side, so I ended up buying one pumpkin that was not a misfit because I had a plan for mine at home. I think we ended up with 6 "misfits" and my bigger one.

 This was one of the biggest pumpkins they had there, so I had Kelly pose near it for size comparison.

Apparently that is also tradition. Notice the date. :)

After we left the pumpkin farm we headed over to the Boardwalk Market at the Dunkirk pier. I love the little shops with their handmade and unique merchandise. I only wish that it was closer, and open nearer to the holidays. Almost all the shops are closed, or close at the end of the month.

We finished our girl day with lunch/dinner at our favorite local restaurant, and then Kelly taught us how to make the most adorable little origami stars.

Yes, the picture is blurry. My camera hates close ups.

So even though it wasn't a beautiful day weather wise, with the fun times we had, I didn't even notice the lack of sunshine. We made our own that day!

Bonfires, Family, and Summer Photo Challenge

One of my favorite things about summer is having a bonfire with my family and friends. I love just sitting around chatting, holding multiple conversations at once, making s'mores and dough-boys*, and just being with the people I care about. So last night was just fantastic, as my parents had a bonfire in their backyard. My dad even "borrowed" a lounge chair from their neighbors so I could be comfortable. (Don't worry, they wouldn't have minded. And it was returned this morning.)

What a nice fire!

And that brings me to my next order of business. I have decided to join my sister Kelly at When the Time is Right who joined Ari for her Summer Photo Challenge (that's a mouthful!). I am a week behind, so at some point I will probably post two weeks at once to catch up. This is the challenge:

Source

And Week 1 (for me)- Something Sweet:

Mmmmm... S'more

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

*Dough-boys- Biscuit dough wrapped around the end of a dowel and cooked over the fire. When they are done you fill it with anything you want. My favorite is cherries and chocolate, or chocolate and peanut butter.