Pumpkin Patchin'

Even if our pumpkin patch adventure was a little chillier than years past, it still hit the spot. I mean, seriously, can it get much better than searching for the ugliest pumpkin for Matt, sloshing through the muddy fields, drinking apple cider and group photo opps? Actually it did get better - we went to Erin's house for warm tomato bisque, grilled cheese and salad, jalepeno popper dip and homemade caramel apples. This tradition just keeps getting better and better.

I know, we're mature; we found a pumpkin with a butt crack.

Because what's a pumpkin patch outing without a jumping shot?

My caramel apple looks like a 4-year-old did it. Mad skillz.

The Gig

On one glorious day over Labor Day weekend, we made our way down to Gig Harbor to spend a day at the Helling's home to enjoy our final summer days. What did we do? Well, let me tell you.

1. We roasted an entire, full grown pig. (It wasn't Wilbur, I promise!) Thanks to Chef Leif for doing the honors!
2. Drank a few beers, some in the namesake of the Double Take!
3. Some sailed, some windsurfed and a few wakeboarded.
4. Many of us floated on our trusty friend, the Inflation Station.
5. Then we all cozied up around a bonfire until our eyelids became heavy. 

Summer, you will be missed. Fall, I expect GREAT things. 

Smashing Pumpkins

Erin says "pose" and this is what happened. Not sure why I thought a leg grab was the best option. But it only gets better from here...

This is the "ok, ladies, how should we really pose?" pose.

The "smashing (confused?) pumpkins" pose.

The "pumpkins make me laugh sooo much and me-want-to crush-pumpkin" pose.

The "I wanna jump with my pumpkin, but my feet are stuck in cement" pose.

The "final attempt at jumping before we ask ourselves, why are we jumping with pumpkins?" pose.

Note: There were no pumpkins harmed in this photo shoot. Just a group of twenty-somethings trying to figure out how best to pose for the camera in a pumpkin patch, and for the most part, failing miserably (or succeeding - beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yeah?). Very reminiscent of last year. We'll grow up eventually, I promise.

A Sacred Tradition

The pumpkin patch is a sacred tradition. One that I hope lasts for years to come. First, we adventure to Stocker Farms in Snohomish to find the perfect pumpkin (or gourds!) and then head to Erin's home for some homemade treats - this year was potato leek soup and pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes! Fall at its best, I tell you.

(The butt crack pumpkin! As Maddie said, yes, we sometimes act like 12 year-old boys.)

(And sometimes we act like 5 year-old girls? My 5 year-old self really wants this playhouse.)

Finally, pumpkin patch

I feel like the bunny on Alice in Wonderland because I'm in a hurry, but here goes. I have been promising you all some pumpkin patch pictures like last year. Most of these are Maddie's pictures because hers are like a bajillion times better than mine.

A few things I would like to point out:

• Hunter boots are awesome.
• Kimber is still the epitome of Fall.
• No pumpkins were harmed during the pumpkin patch extravaganza.
• I was forced into that box by Maddie. FORCED, I tell ya.
• Fall rocks.
• And so do girls who like taking rad fall photos of pumpkin patches. Like 108 on Maddie's camera. Excessive? Never!

Fifth time's a charm?

I don't know about you, but my friends and I really like photo opps. One of the "poses" we seem to try often, maybe due to the challenge, is a jumping photo.

It's a science. You all have to jump at the exact same time (which means you have to determine if you jump on "3" or right after), the person taking the picture has to figure out what kind of delay they are working with on the camera because none of us can really jump high (especially when wearing boots), and you have to resist from falling over in laughter.

In the end, you get a lot of great photos. I hope you enjoy them (at the expense of us looking ridiculous)!

We still didn't get a high jump, but it works :)

(P.S. I promise more pumpkin patch photos soon!)

Fall = Kimber

Do you have friends that remind you of certain seasons? I do. The season we're in: Fall. This is the friend who wants to stop on the side of the road to collect pretty red, orange and yellow leaves. She can't get enough pumpkins or squash to put on display in her apartment. She's the one that likes to make homemade soups. And the friend who can rock the clothes that Fall brings like boots, hats and big, cozy sweaters.

Meet Kimber. These pictures are from last year's pumpkin patch extravaganza, but I feel like Kimber is synonymous with Fall. Can't wait for this year's visit to the pumpkin patch!

The last one is one of my faves. Seriously, what a glamour shot! :)

What time is it? Dubs time.

Dubs, the husky mascot, leads a good life. Look how much he's grown!

This commercial promoting Husky football is a little bittersweet. Bitter because it means summer is almost over, but sweet because the huskies are going to dominate this year. That's right, you heard me.

(I talk a big game. I actually only go to one football game a year, but it's kind of fun to have school pride, right?)

Pumpkins and cider and hay rides, oh my!

Yesterday, a group of us went to a Pumpkin Patch. It was by far my favorite fall outing this year. Rather than recreate the wheel, you can learn about the whole fun and crazy experience as told by Maddie here.

I'll focus on the highlights and then share like a dozen pictures because I'm obsessed with all of them. And don't worry, there will be more as soon as I scan them.

Highlights:

• Getting lost in Duvall, trying to find a ficticious pumpkin patch. Who knew that Duvall was so pretty? And has a cute, little downtown area with a fantastic country-esque BBQ restaurant.
• Finally finding a pumpkin patch, but not actually going in the pumpkin patch. It was a lake out there. But you should go to Remlinger Farms. (Especially if you have little ones because they have a mini-Disneyland there. But we were judged when we showed interest without these said little ones. Come on, mister, everyone likes a fun park, right?)
• Taking beautiful pictures. Like these...

theme of the day: pumpkins and boots.

mud. mud. and more mud.

cider time.

kimbie's prized possessions.

maddie petting the horsey.

erika, steph, pumpkin #1, pumpkin #2

jcrew model.

finally got to wear my new headband.

maddie captured its' prettiness.

as you know, i love laughing photos

so i'm obviously going to love this one.

beeeessssssttttt friends.

BFF for life.

don't you just love fall?