A fairly random but Fall-themed post

Having a new baby keeps us indoors more than we are used to.  It seems we spend quite a few days like this:

running around in our jammies all morning with a nursing pad stuck to our bottom (no, I did not stage that).  However, we have escaped the house a few times for some fun fall excursions.  We went to a pumpkin farm with several friends from the ward.  The boys had an entertaining morning picking their own pumpkins from the field, learning about 15 varieties of pumpkins, eating donuts and cider, and running around in the straw maze and corn box.  Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera (and there were some cute picture moments).  I did, however, bring my camera to another fall outing we went to about a month ago when Luke was only 2 weeks old.

We found another farm to play at with all the regular fun fall activities.  Some of the boys' favorites were being pulled around by the tractor and playing in the designated laser tag and dodge ball areas (set up with stacked hay bales of course).

 They even got to hold poor, terrified rabbits.  I was surprised that my boys were among the more gentle rabbit-handling kids.

Ryan and I decided if we ever become landowners one day we should get one of these off-roading four wheeled bikes to survey our land :)

There was a kiddie hay maze in the old barn complete with disgusting mattresses that were great for a bounce. 

 They don't make it too easy for us big kids to get in and out of the hay maze.  I choose to exit through the entrance because that tube was tall enough for me to crawl through and only about 10 feet long.  Ryan wanted to see the maze through so he made his way out the real exit tubing which was about 20 feet long and only tall enough for a man to slither out of.  And slither he did!

 The corn maze was huge!!  It was actually a really neat design commemorating the bicentennial of the Civil War (they even had Civil War rein-actors who demonstrated the cannon firing, it was pretty awesome!!)  We lasted about 15 minutes in the maze and then decided to turn around.  It was a pretty hot day and I didn't want to get lost in there and have to end up nursing Luke while nestled amongst the corn.

 We made friends with some jolly farm animals who agreed to pose for a picture.  They were great.

 Here we are, back to pajama mornings, but I don't see any nursing pads in this picture so I guess that's a step up.  Since having Luke, the boys have started a new habit of waking up early, running downstairs and watching cartoons until I get up to feed Luke and get them breakfast.  Before Luke, this sort of activity would not have happened because I really tried to keep tabs on how much TV they watched.  But now, as long as they are quiet enough to not wake up Luke or myself, they could be sorting through our fine china and I wouldn't care.  (Just kidding, we don't have fine china).  Especially since they have pushed their waking time to 5 am since the time change.  I think they have realized the best way to get their parents to the negotiating table is to have them be completely exhausted and desperately wanting to keep a sleeping baby asleep.  Never underestimate the cleverness of a pair of young boys.

 The boys demonstrated their artistic abilities with some delicious Halloween cookie decorating.

 Another fall tradition here in Columbus is to go to Boo at the Zoo.  The zoo goes all out with Halloween decorations, shows and activities and tons of vendors set up and give out candy.  Here Captain America and his good friend Robin take a break from the animals to check out their candy bags.

 I loved these pictures.  There's something about seeing the softer side of these superheros who take a break from crime fighting to brush a goat.

 Hey, goats need care too.

Doesn't Luke make the cutest skeleton you have ever seen?