Fabulous Fall Fun!

This past week, Nichole and Kate decided to spend their Fall Break in Utah where fall actually exists. This meant that there was non-stop fall fun!! We always love it when they visit because it gives us reasons to party every day. This week was no exception. It all started Monday night (10/9) after they got here. We were invited to go pick pumpkins at our neighbors house. Now, for most people, this isn't really exciting, but Nichole and Kate loved being in an actual pumpkin patch picking actual pumpkins that weren't previously picked and simply placed in a large field. We had so much fun that we even went back the next day to grab a few more (and to take a few more pictures since it was dark the first time).

Tuesday (10/10) we continued our fall fun with apple picking. Again, it was more the experience rather than the bounty we picked. Kate and Jonas had fun climbing the trees and getting the apples. It was such a cute little orchard! They even had playground equipment to entertain Jonas while Nichole and Kate searched for the best apples.

Of course, that evening we had to make caramel apples! Yummy!! I love fall foods!! That is another reasons to love this time of year...all the traditional foods and tastes that we don't indulge in the rest of the year.
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Wednesday (10/11) we grabbed a picnic lunch and headed up Payson Canyon to experience all the fall colors. Growing up in AZ, you never really experience fall colors. The leaves just turn from green to brown and fall but not until January-ish. I have loved seeing all the vibrant yellows, reds and oranges that decorate the landscape in Utah. The mountains are painted in this welcoming warm hue. It's absolutely breathtaking...and today did not disappoint. We played around in the picnic grounds and gathered some leaves before driving up to the Grotto Trail, which we hiked. After our short hike, we completed the loop down through Santaquin Canyon. It may not have been a very active day, but it was definitely a beautiful one!

I love how this picture turned out! The blurry background and my little speedster.

Thursday (10/12) the fun continued! This time we went to Jaker's in Springville. This is such a fun fall festival! There are slides, tractor rides, a corn maze, a corn kernel pit, petting zoo, and so much more! And for only $2.00 it's a steal! Jonas loved the tractor ride (of course) and tolerated the petting zoo. At first, he wasn't too jazzed about the corn pit, but he eventually got in and had fun. He loved the slides though! He just kept going down over and over again. I enjoy doing a corn maze, but I have to admit I have a little anxiety each time I go in one because I'm afraid I'm not going to find my way out. Luckily, we found our way out just fine! Before we left, Kate and Jonas decided to pick out a white pumpkin to add to our plentiful pumpkins at home. I actually think Nichole is going back with more pumpkins than clothing!

Friday (10/13) was packed with witches! We met up with Mel and Kaia at Gardner's Village. Each year, they put on a witch fest. It is so fun! They have a scavenger hunt you can fill out as you find the various witches scattered throughout the shops. They even had "real" witches riding around and talking with everyone. Jonas just had fun running around. I loved doing the scavenger hunt with Kate and Kaia. I have known about the Witch Fest for a few years and have always wanted to come. I will definitely make it a yearly tradition.

That evening, we grabbed Danny (Dallin was too cool to hang out with us) and headed to the Red Barn for another fall festival. This one involved pedal bikes (a Jonas favorite), apple canons, a jumping pillow, slides, and corn mazes (the other kids' favorite). I took the boys here last year and we had a blast! This year was no different. I love doing these fun adventures with my kids. I enjoy simply experiencing what each season and every holiday has to offer.

On Saturday (10/14), Nichole had a baby shower to attend so Jeff and I took the kids to The Leonardo Museum in SLC to see the "spooky science" exhibit. Of course we couldn't just see the spooky science exhibit and not experience everything else! The kids (and even Jeff) enjoyed the different interactive exhibits that highlight some of DaVinci's greatest discoveries. They painted, built, made, and explored all morning long! It is really a great museum. I never considered how diverse Leonardo DaVinci was.

This photo makes me laugh! Look at Danny's face! He was genuinely scared!!

That evening, Dallin took the kids back to the house while Jeff and I met up with Nichole and my cousins, KJ and Lauren. Nichole and I haven't seen KJ in nearly 15 years. His family always lived away from us because my uncle was in the Air Force. KJ is currently living in Utah to finish up his occupational therapy degree. Thank goodness for social media! It seriously felt like we'd seen each other last week. It was fun to catch up with them!

Sunday (10/15) was our last day with Nichole and Kate. Since it was Sunday, it was a much quieter day...sort of. We still had to do something fall-ish so we went over to the church, raked a huge pile of leaves, and took turns jumping into it. Jeff even threw Jonas in! Life sure is more fun and more meaningful when you share it with those you love. We loved having Nichole and Kate visit us. Hopefully, it can become a fall tradition.