Seasons of Change
and some of our favorite, budget friendly fall activities!
Sometimes it seems as if everyone in the world thinks Fall is the greatest of seasons. It's not like people post on social media that summer is on its way! I mean I could get behind a post about the warmth in the air, flip flops on sale, the scent of coconut and pina colada flavored everything! I am a summer girl through and through. I admit though there are some really great things about fall, too. It just so happens to be my second favorite season. Mostly because it tends to stay warm longer and have more sunny days than spring here in Utah. Plus, after 2 1/2 months of summer having a schedule and most of the kids gone to school during the day is also something I can get behind! I'd just like to get behind it in warmer weather.
With the beginnings of the holidays, yep, I'm counting Halloween, we do have some family traditions we try and make happen. It seems it's getting harder and harder these days to get my entire family along on our adventures. I'm having a hard time adjusting to this phase of life. I am so thankful I still have all my kids living here at home, even the ones pursuing their college degrees. I'm grateful they see the advantage in saving money on rent and food by living here and eating up my groceries. Truthfully! I'm gonna be one sad mommy when they leave even though I realize it will happen someday and it will be a good thing for them. If not for me, haha.
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Fall 2014 |
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zoo 2019 |
Ian and Eisley Fall 2019 |
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Aidan, Kinzie, and Ian Winter 2015 SanFransisco |
Mommy and Eisley Fall 2019 |
Here are some of our family fall 2019 adventures:
https://harwardfarms.com/jakers/
We decided to hit up a pumpkin patch. We don't like forking out $$$ on Cornbellies every year so headed to Jaker's jack-o-lanterns. It has all the makings of fun for kids under the age of 10 and a $4 price tag.
Our oldest came along and her lighthearted, joyful nature makes her enjoy almost anything no matter the age range! She loved taking her sister down the slide! Bryce, 10, was only about the corn maze and the cotton candy he talked us into buying. Which of course we made them all share to his supreme disappointment. Sienna, our 8 year old, probably would've loved it all, but her sidekick and play buddy recently turned 12 so she's trying to figure out this new phase of having to play alone more often these days. New phases are hard on littles too! Izzy loved the animals, and walking around like a big girl. She was not about the corn pit!!
They have everything you need a pumpkin patch to include! A corn pit, and fountain, slides of different sizes, hay maze, petting zoo, pumpkins galore, the corn maze and of course a hayride! Plus, food trucks and a small concession/gift stand. I personally had a blast!
https://slco.org/wheeler-farm/
Our teeniest little lady LOVES all animals so I knew a trip to a small working farm was on our list of fun things to do this fall!
Once again the middle kids didn't love it as much as when we've gone in years past but I had 5 of 7 kids with me and some of our favorite neighbors along so it was as much of a success as I get these days. Ian our 15 year old and Eisley, the baby, have a super special bond. They have since she was born. He kind of took over making sure she had a good experience but I wasn't upset about it. Their sweet connection just warms me from the inside out even if I didn't get to be the one to introduce her to all the animals.
Best thing of all is most everything is free!! They have a couple little play houses for littles, old buildings to explore, including one with all sorts of old tractors and tillers all the way back to the kind that connected to horses. They also have a little shop with snacks and treats and some little items for purchase. Tons of photo ops too!! The only cost is a wagon ride which we did and our sweet little lady loved and there is an old farm house you can tour for a small cost. It's only open for tours M-F 11am and 1pm. I'm already planning a one on one outing with my little lady to go through the house and see the animals again in the spring.
http://www.crystalhotsprings.net/home/
Fall break just happened to start on a Wednesday after an early out day at school so we decided to head a couple hours north with some family to Crystal Hot Springs. We've only ever experienced it in subzero temps in December. We are used to freezing our parts off so it was super fun to have the weather be in the high 50's for our outing. I've done the research before so I knew that Wednesday is Family Night. Cost is only $20 for a family of 6. It's an awesome discount. Ironically it was a lot less crowed than the after Christmas crowd usually is. We love it there! Little lady loves any an all water so she was in seventh heaven!
If you brave the winter temps I suggest separate towels for outside by the pools and so you have a dry one for afterwards. Using a cold wet towel isn't not fun after running inside in 20 degree weather! Brrrrr! I also learned to bring flip flops for outside as well. It was beyond freezing to run between the pools bare footed the first time we went, and painful! One thing we also did after our first trip was bring robes to wear out to the pools from the changing rooms and to wear back in afterward.
The fall weather was perfect however, and we really didn't need all the extras it takes to go in the winter. One more reason summer is my favorite! Ha, ha. All you need is water and sunscreen!
Evans Family Farm
Momma and Izzy decided to visit a small little local pumpkin patch while everyone else was in school.
It's great for kids under 5! They have slides and corn pit, corn hole, hay maze, pumpkins galore, photo ops, and a little "train ride". Plus, I would've paid the $3 just to spend the time with the few animals they have in their petting zoo. Izzy was OBSESSED. We spent most of the time going pen to pen talking to and petting all the animals. It was actually one of my favorite little outings this fall. There is something to be said for a mom of 7 to be out and have fun with just one kid at a time especially when she's easy to please.
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