Hammon Family Visit

 Yay!  The Hammons came to visit!  We were so lucky to have Auntie Kelli, Uncle Jeff, and baby Collier up here for a nice long weekend.  We hadn't seen them since last Christmas, so it was very overdue and wow, little Collier is growing so fast!  I HATE being so far away from my family, so visits are always bittersweet as I love seeing everyone but hate to see them go. :( However, we had a fabulous time as always and enjoyed some fun fall activities despite the chill in the air.  Bear with me, this is a long post, but I have so many great pictures to share that I couldn't help myself!

On Saturday, we headed over to the Linden Hills business district for Hay Day.  The kids wore their costumes and got to trick or treat around the shops.  They love this--any excuse for candy and costumes is fine by them.  Collier wasn't so sure about everything--cold temps, new sounds and people, and a dragon costume to boot!  But, he hung in there like a champ, and he made a really cute dragon!

auntie kelli & cutie collier

my baby lion love

mr. pirate showing off his spider

After a very short nap, we headed out to Emma Krumbee's Apple Orchard.  Even though Auntie Kelli only comes to visit once a year, she has now been to this orchard three times! It is one of our favorites with so many things for the kids to do and see.  Unfortunately, it was a bit colder than we thought, and none of us (the kids especially) were really dressed for the weather.  I think everyone was a little frozen when we finally got back in the car, but we had a blast nonetheless!

collier, brody, & uncle jeff

this little rascal snuck inside and headed straight for the hay bale.

so fun to play in the hay!

on top of the mountain

he's drivin'

playing the tambourine in the kids' band

happy tot w/ his tambourine 

time to ride the train!

little c checks out the goats

attempting to ride the tire swing horses...they were tricky!

cute!

obligatory pumpkin patch pic...brody was the only one cooperating

i want that one, dad.

After a busy Saturday, you might think we would slow down on Sunday, but not us!  We couldn't pass up an opportunity to visit Sever's Corn Maze!  Uncle Jeff had never been to an apple orchard or corn maze or anything like that, so we wanted to show him all the fun things we get to do here in Minnesota.  This time, we bundled up everyone really well and got no complaints!

hammons

smiths, in typical fashion (one crying, one horsing around)

the beloved corn pit

this stuff is weird

cheese!

SO FUN!  the parakeet experience, where you pay a buck for a birdseed stick and you can attract all the parakeets you want. the was the highlight for me for sure!

is that a bird on my head?!

triple dipper

so fun!

i've got an armful!

Monday came all too soon and it was time for the Hammons to head back to Texas.  We took a nice walk and played at the park before they said goodbye.  It was a great visit, and we can't wait to see them again soon!

c cracks me up with his mouthful of food

this guy has mastered this apparatus.  he's so big!

thanks for visiting, little dude!  come back soon!