Schnepf Farms {a trip to another pumpkin patch and some of my ramblings}

This past weekend my mom invited the girls and I to join her for a Grand/Mother/Daughter date to Schnepf Farms.  I'm not really into, "going to the farm," because with our garden, there is no mystery where our food comes from, and the farm sort of loses it's luster. It's just another place where people grow food.  BUT I didn't want to let her down, so I said we'd go.  We did have some fun, and here are the images from our adventure...

My sister is the best with my kiddos, can't you tell?!

The whole farm is adorable and rustic, my friends actually got married at Schnepf Farms 2 years ago {images from the wedding here, the second half of the post}

I love this giant covered area for concerts. 

We stopped and got some corn before heading out to see the rest of the farm.

another awesome covered area.

Much to my protest, my mom offered Sonja a pony ride {another animal rights rant: this is cruel and torture, I wish I could have explained to Sonja so she'd understand this poor pony doesn't want to be doing this, this is slavery.}

But alas I took a photo so she could remember the experience and NEVER ask to do it again.

The farm did have some beautiful red sunflowers {is that a thing? anyone know what these are called so I can plant them?!}

My helpful sister, wearing baby Vera.

After enjoying the view, we got in line for the last train ride of the evening before the Spooky Train Ride. 

Views from the train...

The Pumpkin Patch {I was actually kind of disappointed with how small the patch really was!}

Peach Trees; this peach festival UPICK sounds fun!

There was a whole ride area in the back of the farm, I didn't even know about! And while I probably would have had fun on the rides, we didn't have time to walk all the way back there to ride anything.

After the train ride we walked to the Pumpkin Patch.

 The pumpkins were $3-12+ but since we already have plenty growing in our garden I didn't get any.

But it was still fun to look. 

After the patch we walked over to get some food.

We decided on this veggie pizza {too bad the flash wasn't cooperating otherwise you might be able to see how delicious it was}

And then Sonja climbed this hay pyramid, before we drove home!

Not bad for a few hours of fun with Grandma. I wouldn't have paid to do this, since we already did the Desert Botanical Gardens Pumpkin Festival {included with our membership} but since it was my mom's treat, it was totally worth the hour drive out to the farm.  Sonja had a great time and is already asking to go back!

Hope your pumpkin season is just as fun as ours has been, can't believe Halloween is tomorrow.  Costumes will be posted as soon as they get home from Trick-or-Treating!

Check back soon!

-Jenn

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Happy First Birthday Cleo & Clementine!

I first met Monique though etsy when I ordered an adorable lace and ruffle one piece lingerie after my first daughter was born.  She was so sweet, she met with me to get my measurements and then surprised me with a ruffle skirt for my daughter.  I've kept in touch with her since then and have a had a few sewing sessions with her as well.  When she opened Cleo & Clementine last year I was so excited to attend the grand opening event!  I had to restrain myself from buying everything in the store!  I can't believe that was already a year ago!  Since then, they've expanded their space and added a few new local vendors to their selections.  This past Friday they had their one year celebration and we were so excited to see the new space!

LOVE the new features and displays! 

Delicious snacks and sparkling drinks!

Would love to sport one of these headbands on my birthday!

Sonja loved this dress. Might have to snag one up for her! 

Beautiful new jewelry by XAPPALAND.

Perfect Party Dresses!

Some body products by West Third Brand and Herbivore Botanicals.

My friend Jaxon got the best lemon smelling beard tonic.

How cute are these curly earings?! They remind me of this Little's pig tails. 

Monique's line, Ouma, is the most elegant dresses and skirts I've ever seen...

They just make me want to host a party.

and get married again.

I also love how the shop incorporates vintage accents with modern fashion.

And little displays like these scissors and thread make the artist in me so happy!

Love the texture and colors of these details.

Thanks again Monique for hosting such a lovely little gathering, you're such an inspiration!

and before I forget; just this past Wednesday, they launched their website.  So now you, too, can find all their boutique goodies in one place.  You can also find them on facebook, and Instagram.

xoxo

-Jennifer

You can also follow along on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Tumblr!

p.s. if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your vote. Click the banner below and then the owl on the left. {No email required and no spam generated! promise}

Pumpkin Patch at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix

It's weird living somewhere without many seasons.  It's pretty much just hot and cold here.  So when holidays roll around like Halloween, or even Thanksgiving it looks a bit different here than the rest of the country {or even world}.

We don't get changing colors, we get green cacti, year round.  We don't get to wear scarves or boots until mid December if at all.  And the pumpkins in my garden are still green, if I'm lucky they'll be almost orange by Thanksgiving.

So we pretend.  We go to Pumpkin Patches where the Pumpkins litter the hay on top of really dry dirt.  We wear tank tops and get a little bit of a tan while searching for the perfect pumpkin.  We take pictures of fake leaves and acorns because, well we just don't have the real thing.  With all that in mind, here's our recent field trip to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix {how has it already been two years since we were here last?!}.

Sonja was SOOO excited to go on the tractor ride! 

When we first arrived we walked through the hay maze!

Then a quick stop at the petting zoo.

(I actually dislike petting zoos for the same reason I dislike zoos, the animals do not want to be there and I think it's sort of evil to keep an animal against it's will even if they are the sweetest and nicest people feeding only the best food to these animals {which I doubt they were}.  but I digress, and after seeing the animals here it allowed for some dialog between Sonja and myself on what is appropriate and what isn't when caring for animals}

ALSO, this BABY pig was the sweetest, and just so everyone knows there's no such thing as teacup piggies, once they're full grown they're huge.  ALL PIGS, so please don't rush out and get one after seeing one at the petting zoo, unless you want a GIANT pig in your home {which is cool, just know what you're getting into}

After my tangent about petting zoos, please accept these pumpkin patch photos as an apology.

My sister tagged along to help with these two kiddos!

Kids 12 and under get a free pumpkin so we spent some time trying to find the PERFECT one.

My sister in law also brought the little girl she nanny's {which is one of Sonja's best friends now!}

After picking out such a perfect pumpkin the girls decorated them at the craft station.

After crafts we listened, and the girls danced to some Pick & Holler

After hanging out on the pumpkin patch we took a hayride back to the main event which had some games and food. 

Cactus Toss.  She actually got this one in the hole! 

Digging for snakes {which is actually a VERY BAD idea!}

And spin the wheel, whatever image it lands on is what prize bucket the kids can pick from.

AND THAT was our field trip to the Pumpkin Patch.

I can't wait to carve the pumpkins from here.  Halloween is my favorite holiday so you can imagine how much I love thee types of events.  Since we have a membership to the Desert Botanical Gardens this fun filled morning was FREE!

If you're in the Phoenix area I highly recommend getting a membership!

-Jenn

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