Mitchell Farms 2011

The pumpkin patch is my favorite Fall activity. When we lived in Auburn, we went to a really fabulous one. It was spectacular! Four years ago, when we first moved to Hattiesburg, we started a new tradition, Mitchell Farms. To be honest, the first year was a bit of a let down for us- it just didn't compare to what we had in Auburn. Well, the folks at Mitchell Farms have been busy since then, adding more and more each year, making it better and better. This year was the best yet!!

I love these sweet girls! I also love taking pictures of them, especially at the pumpkin patch!

Just outside of the corn maze!

Jeremy was our navigator. Seriously, I wouldn't have even gone in with the kids without him. My sense of direction is a bit hazy.

Forks in the path!

Which way?!

What do you do when you get lost in a corn maze? I take pictures!

Marion - 2 years old

Grace - 5 years old

We made it out!

The girls loved the tractor ride through the sunflower fields. They were breathtaking!

Mitchell Farms has plenty of old fashion toys... no iPads here!

The corn pool is a favorite! We ended up here a few times.

The new slide! Grace wouldn't even try it, but Marion must have gone down 15 times!

We took this picture to show Nana these beautiful flowers, and called her on the way home to tell her about them.

Finally, time to pick out our pumpkins! There were plenty to choose from...

Grace found one quickly!

She found one for me too!

And then, there was Marion...

This is Marion showing Jeremy that this pumpkin is dirty, and will not do. Do you think I'm kidding? I'm not. She's my sweet girl who's a little picky, and has lots of opinions. She had a bit of trouble finding the perfect one.

She settled on this one :)

My crew, toting their pumpkins back to the car.

A fun train ride,

one last photo,

and we headed home! Another great day of pumpkin patch memories!

Baby Ballerina

Marion is dancing this year! She is taking a ballet and gymnastics combo class, and is super excited every week when it is her night to go to dancing school. After all, she's been sitting in the waiting room while Grace dances every week for far too long! She was nervous through the first couple of classes and just stood back and watched, but is now happy and participating!

Marion with Kate and Emma Kate

Beautiful baby ballerinas!

Ready to do her front roll!

First Day of Preschool

This is the best I could do! Marion was a little nervous, and wanted to stay wrapped around my leg. I had to run away, and snap a picture as she ran toward me! Marion has two wonderful teachers this year, Mrs. Shannon and Mrs. TJ. She goes to school on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Marion absolutely loves it! Many tears are shed around here on Monday and Friday, when Grace gets to go to school and she doesn't!!

First Day of Kindergarten

My sweet Grace started Kindergarten last month. Many people consider this the start of "real school," but she went all day to the 4 year old preschool program at the same school last year. In a way, it's the same. In other ways, oh so different. Last year I looked forward to the daily reports and comments about her day from her teachers. This year, the only info I'm getting is what I can pry out of her! She has lots of sweet friends in her class, and is having a great year. She breezes through her schoolwork, it comes so easily to her. She likes her teachers, and is always ready to go to school. She is so much like me; I always loved school, and now my heart is warmed that she loves it too.

Meredith is in her class this year! (Grace expected this, and wouldn't have understood them doing it any other way!)

Her teacher did a Hollywood Movie theme.

Her spot at her desk!

Lulu's

To Lulu's or not? We had never been before, and had heard mixed reviews. Our friends weren't interested in going, so we wondered if we should....

We decided to check it out! As soon as we drove up to this...
I was excited! It sits right on a marina, filled with yachts, little tugs, and all other sorts of cool watercraft. Jeremy was in heaven just checking out the cool water rides!

Since the girls were wearing their new souvenir airbrush tees, I ordered a nice, clear, wedding cake flavored snow cone for them to enjoy while we waited to eat!

Oh, and a nice, cold drink for myself too! Ahh, I wish I could click my heels and be back in that chair right now!

After we ate, we claimed some more of those big comfy Adirondack chairs by the stage and watched the girls play for a while...







Check this out!! Grace was too scared to try it out, and I didn't even give Marion the option... maybe next time!!
We had a blast!! If you are ever in Gulf Shores, don't miss Lulu's!!