fishing with grandpa.

connor has been asking to go fishing all summer and on saturday afternoon we finally got to go to the local pond and try our luck. we had a fun successful time. we probably caught about 10 little bluegills. the kids thought it was the best thing ever! thanks to gpa & gma packer and anna for coming and bringing happy meals to the kids!

getting the supplies ready.

elsie showing off the bait.

mabel reeling in her first fish of the day.

so proud!

elsie reeling in hers.

my favorite shot, she was so excited!

connor finally got in on the action too.

getting the hook out.

a few ducks came to visit.

connor was totally into trying to get the hook out himself.

he's growing up!

pumpkin hunting and selling.

one of our favorite fall activities each year is pumpkin hunting at gpa packer's pumpkin patch. this year did not disappoint! the kids went and searched for the perfect pumpkin and then each sat on their pick until someone came to cut it free. after everyone has gathered enough pumpkins for their family, all the rest are divided amongst the grandkids and they take them to their house and have a pumpkin sale. our kids love this and have looked forward to this all year! they started with about 40 pumpkins plus a bunch of bitty pumpkins and had a very successful patch!

all the grandkids and gpa packer {plus nate}

connor's prize pumpkin...the biggest one of the patch.

hauling up from the bottom of the yard is no easy task!

getting ready for the sale.

they sold for 2 days and had all but 5 gone!

way to go kids!!! {a big thank you to gpa packer too!}

a house up in the trees.

a few weeks ago we started a project outside with the kids. it took a couple weeks, but we now have a custom tree house built in the backyard, complete with a 14' slide!  the kids l.o.v.e. it.  it's been so fun to see how much use it has already gotten. from cousins, neighbors and friends, everyone approves...it is super fun.

mabel practicing her balance beam routine.

hmm, maybe we could sleep here?

the tongue is always very useful.

lunch on the slide before it's screwed in.

taaa daaa!!