Schnepf Farms.

Visiting Schenpf Farm for their annual "Pumpkin & Chili Party" is another tradition that we picked up last Autumn. Growing up in Utah, Autumn meant the Scarecrow Festival. I have many fond memories of fry bread with honey butter, hay bale mazes, and a handful of other traditional Fall activities with my family. While searching for wedding venues early last year, I came across Schnepf Farms and read up on what they have to offer. When I found out that they host an event similar to the Scarecrow festival, I jumped at the chance to make new Autumn memories with my own family! Schnepf Farms is a gorgeous farm located in Queen Creek, Arizona. It's actually owned by the family of an old neighbor! They have gardens, orchards, a petting zoo, hay bale maze, a train ride, hay rides, amusement rides, playgrounds & slides, country-style shops, and shows they bring in especially for the festival. You can also rent out their fire pits. They hold many other events throughout the year, including a breakfast with Santa in mid-December that I'm thinking we'll need to attend once the kids are a bit older.

This year Aunt Katie tagged along. We had a blast watching the frisbee dog show, going on the train ride, feeding animals, checking out pumpkins, and running through the hay bale maze. Right now we're kind of at a middle stage between everything being fun & new and Emerson (& Eisley) being able to ride the rides & take full advantage of the big-kid fun they have to offer. Still, I know the kids had fun and it's definitely one of my favorite parts of Autumn.











































Emerson is such a little Autumn/Halloween kid. I guess with a birthday a week before Halloween, you're made to be. Even when he was a week old, he was dazed by the songs of Nightmare Before Christmas, which is one of his favorite movies to this day. He gets so excited when Autumn hits. He loves the ghosts, monsters, & especially loves the pumpkins. Honestly, I think he gets more excited about Autumn & Halloween than he does for Christmas! Maybe that'll change when he gets to experience a white Christmas & all its wonders someday.

Eisley was so well-behaved, as usual. I think she cried once out of hunger or being tired. It was also pretty awesome to start the holiday season off with Eisley nearing one. Emerson was tiny through his first holidays, so I don't really count them! While she doesn't get the concepts yet, of course, she seems like she's already having blast. She especially loved the petting zoo. She's such a little animal lover already! I can just see her being in the girl on the block that wants to take in all of the strays.

Next year I think we need to take home some of the homemade farm-fresh goodness & enjoy a bowl of chili!