Then & Now: Manfredi Farms

Pre-Pumpkin Patch Cuteness!

Then: I was determined to get a picture of teeny-tiny two-month old Jack with some pumpkins. Since our trip to the cider mill didn’t quite work out due to Jack sleeping in his carseat  carrier the entire time, I dragged my sister-in-law and nephews to Manfredi Farms for some pumpkin pics. Jack was awake for most of the adventure, but being awake does not equate being a willing participant. Looking back now, I can’t believe I put the poor baby through it…although I doubt it will be his last encounter with the mamarazzi!  

Power to the pumpkins!

Totally unfazed by the creepy pumpkin and skeleton.

SO tiny!

Kody & Kasey feed the donkeys.

Now: This year the daddies joined us for our now annual trip to Manfredi Farms. Jack was decidedly more excited to be there this year, and enjoyed seeing the animals from his farm books up close and personal. Sort of – he liked them from afar, but if one of them got too close to him, he’d scream and jump back. All told, it was a fun (and windy!) fall day that ended at Auntie Kate’s house for pumpkin carving and pumpkin seed roasting.

Group shot by the scary Jack o'lantern.

Same donkeys, different year.

Cousins!

Jack searches for the perfect "pa-pa".

Jack o'Lantern Jack

A Sea of Jack o'Lanterns

We were fortunate enough to have Grandma Carol here for a visit this past weekend, which happened to coincide with our Indian Summer. We didn’t let Grandma rest for one minute of her stay, and we definitely took advantage of the great weather. Our first stop, however, was at Marc’s barbershop for Jack’s first big boy haircut! Jack did great and let the barber go to town on his baby locks (although it’s probably easier to trust your barber when he happens to be your father!).

Marc tries teaching Jack the family biz.

From the barbershop, we went to Stonington Borough for lunch – one of Grandma Carol’s favorite places to visit when she’s here on the East Coast. Grandma, Mommy and Jack had a lovely lunch on the water, which gave Jack plenty of opportunities to say his new favorite word…boat. We then went to America’s oldest steam-powered cider mill for some cider and donuts, my most beloved fall activity!

Flashback: Jack spent his 1st trip to Clyde's Cider Mill snoozing away!

Saturday was a busy day with one of Jack’s little friend’s 1^st birthday party, then we were off to the pond for the Halloween. You’d think that after two busy days of gallivanting, we’d be ready for a day of rest, but nope! Sunday was another gorgeous day so Marc went golfing while Grandma, Mommy and Jack went to Watch Hill for one last hurrah. It was PACKED down at the coast, seriously busier than I’d seen it all year. It was nice to pretend it was summer all over again, although also sad knowing that the town would be shut down for the season in a matter of days.

Sunday evening we went to one of the coolest autumn events in Rhode Island…the Jack o’ Lantern Spectacular at Rogers Williams Park Zoo. They have thousands of carved pumpkins on display, from teeny little gourds that look like Jack could carve them to ah-mazing, intricate carved works of art. There was a pretty long wait to get in, but it was totally worth it when we got to see these unbelievable carvings. Marc, Jack and I had a great time and we hope Grandma Carol did as well...hurry back, Grandma...we miss you already!

Mary and her little lamb meet Mommy and her little monster.

Stacking Dolls...LOVE THEM!

Then & Now: Halloween at the Pond

I started this blog shortly before Jack’s birth, with the intention of updating it frequently to keep my far-flung friends and family posted on my new addition and his development. Oh, the thoughts of the well-rested and naïve… Suffice it to say, when the time came and I became a new mother, the last thing on earth I wanted to do was put my baby down for one minute to sit at my computer and write up some silly blog. Now that Jack is a little older and I realize just how quickly the time passes, I want to be sure I capture life’s little moments with my son. So from now until I’m caught up on those missed blogging opportunities, I’ll be doing a little “Then and Now” feature. Enjoy, far-flung friends and family!

My Little Stinker!

As I’ve mentioned before, Marc’s parents have a cute little summer place on a lake in Connecticut. Because the campground is seasonal, they celebrate Halloween early in October before everyone packs up for the winter. Last year we had so much fun running around the place with the boys that we just had to do it again this year. Auntie Kate and Uncle Kris weren’t able to make it this year, but we were lucky to have two special guests with us this time around, (Great) Aunt Pat-Pat, and all the way from Detroit…Grandma Carol! I love this annual event, and can’t wait to do it all over again next year!

Then: Not too thrilled about being stuffed in a Halloween costume.

Now: Really gets into character.

Then: Nearly impossible to get all 3 boys to sit still for a photo.

Now: Nearly impossible to get all 3 boys to sit still for a photo.

Cute Cousins

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