I wrote last year how much comfort we found in the months after we lost Chris’ dad in the simplest things.  Like doing the same things we’d done the year before and the year before that.  Pumpkins are one of those things.  And pulling into Bob’s Corn is the essence of autumn for us.  The kids look forward to the bumpy, uncomfortable cow train every year.  We’ve learned to bring garbage bags for muddy boots and fresh pants for the ride home.

Tradition doesn’t have to be big or expensive.  It’s just totally lovely sometimes to establish things that you can look forward to doing together again.

Next year this little girl will want to ride all by herself…and Finn will be big enough to ride on my lap!

Nana got in on the cow train fun – she wants everyone to know that the back is the most exciting/dangerous/bumpy place on the whole train

Note the Papa in the back, he’s trying to keep up with all his grandsons!

Can you tell he’s a little silly happy to have these three awesome men as son-in-laws?

The sisters – yes, I’ve worn that same jacket three years in a row!

Like Nana’s boots?

Oh the joy of the cousins – Issac told his mama the night before we went “I’m tired of doing all this stuff.  I just want to go to the pumpkin patch with my cousins.”  Who could blame him for that?!?

Too cute.  Last year she slept through the whole thing – totally ready for action this October!

Seven grandkids ages 8 months to 8 years!