The Kies Family: Shady Knoll Farm

Maddox at the Vandeveer fountain just after our photo shoot. I love this outfit on her. So cute...thanks Aunt Brooke!! We are growing out Maddox's bangs so we had to get sort of creative to style them for the shoot.

So Eric and I decided to load up the kids and snag some pumpkins today with the weather being so brilliant and Halloween around the corner. We went to a smaller, quaint, less commercialized pumpkin patch this year called Shady Knoll Farm in Illinois as recommended by my good friend Megan Wentland. The farm was established in 1848 and was pretty cool, complete with goats, horses, cows and a brand new calf that was born just yesterday evening. Maddox and Kennon both had a ball and the Wentlands even happened to be there so Maddox got to feed the goats with Nash and Nolan. We managed to find a few good pumpkins 2 big and 2 little and get a few good pics. Maddox was very set on picking out a 'LITTLE' one for Kennon. After she found just the right one she proudly presented it to him. It was so cute. The farm had 2 separate fields. One with big pumpkins and the other with little pumpkins. It was pretty muddy with all the rain we've had but that didn't stop the kids. Good ol' Sienna needs a cleanin' now!! It was really fun. I even saw an old high school friend from Orion. The price was just right on the prize as well $15.00 for all 4 pumpkins.....total!! We hurried home to catch afternoon naps and to let Eric finish up the LAST outdoor project of the year, the 2nd coat of seal on the deck. He mowed the yard earlier today, hopefully for the last time as well. Yesterday morning we had our family pictures taken at Vandeveer park by Bella Baby Photography. It was still overcast and a bit cool but the kids did really well. I think we got some good pictures but we'll see this evening. The photographer is going to upload the pics to the site later today. You are welcome to look. Go to www.bellababyphotography.com and go to VIEW PHOTOS. Our password is kiesholiday2012. I'm hoping there are a few good ones to pick from for our Christmas card. I have a couple of darling videos to upload of KTK dancing. He is dancing fool and has some cool moves just like his big sis!! I'll try to get them uploaded later but as we all know the dreaded videos do not get along with this website. We'll see. Anybody know what happened to the Hawkeyes last evening....boo hiss!! I almost forgot we had a great visit from Uncle Scott, Eric's brother from St. Paul, Minnesota. He rode his Harley down Friday night ( in the rain and cold....brave sole) and stayed with us before heading down to Keokuk to visit Doris Saturday morning. Maddox warmed right up to him but Kennon kept his distance. Thanks for stopping Uncle Scott!! Always nice to see you and catch up a bit and let the kids get to know their family members a bit more. Definitely going to be a better ride home for you this sunny afternoon. PS...couldn't get the videos uploaded so will tray again later. BUT the pictures are up on the Belly Baby website so go ahead and check them out.