Pumpkin Picking and Visiting a Horse Farm

We recently went out to Long Island to do some pumpkin picking, feeding horses and reconnecting with friends whom we met through Alex’s school. We went there last year as well, and the outing was such a smashing success we decided to do to it again this year. We really enjoy spending time with both of these families and their boys!

First up was pumpkin picking, going through the corn maze and playing on every possible playground there. The boys were in heaven—they loved it. 

Despite a brief scare in the corn maze, everyone make it out okay.

After, we went to a horse farm to feed the horses some carrots. They also had quite a few chickens and several dogs. Alex ate just as many carrots as he fed to the horses. 

Pumpkin Cookies

 

I am sucker for anything pumpkin—pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream— if it has pumpkin in the name, I am trying it. I decided to make these pumpkin cookies one weekend and they were delicious and so very easy—a cookie you could even make on a week night.

Ingredients

2/3 cup of granulated sugar

2/3 cup of packed brown sugar

3/4 cup of butter, softened

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/2 cup (from 15-oz can) of pumpkin (I used the pumpkin pie mix)

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon of salt

DIRECTIONS

1.       Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, 3/4 cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until well blended. Beat in pumpkin and eggs until well mixed. On low speed, beat in flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

2.       On ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls.

3.       Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched in center. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.

They sort of tasted like pumpkin pie in a cookie—delicious! 

Poconos: Dumsch Family Weekend – Day 2

The second day in the Poconos, we started the morning out with a wagon ride and then went to the petting zoo they had set up for the kids. Alex rode his first pony, petted a donkey, a bunny, a cow and goats.

Afterwards, we went back to the lake for a boat ride and headed out for lunch before heading home. 

Afterwards, we went back to the lake for a boat ride and headed out for lunch before heading home. 

 

Amanda also took some family shots of us—a rarity!

We had a great time!

Poconos: Dumsch Family Weekend – Day 1

My mom and dad rented a house for us in the Poconos last weekend. The place we stayed at, Woodloch Resort, had just about every activity you could think of—they had go carts, rock climbing, four different pools, bingo, a beach by the lake, paddle boarding, water skiing, paddle boats, etc. I think we tried just about every activity the resort had to offer and we had an amazing time—it was one of the most fun weekends I have had in recent history!

Here are photos of our first full day at the resort. Looking back on these, I am wishing we were all there together again. 

Go Carts

We started the day with a bike ride through the woods and then hit the go carts. I think we rode the go carts about ten times over the course of the weekend. 

Kiddie Cars and Batting Cages

Alex loved these little kiddie cars; Andy and Dad loved the batting cages right next door. 

The Lake and Sandbox

There were so many things to do on the lake—play in the sand box, go swimming, sailing, kayaking, etc. We spent most of our day here. 

 

A better view of the slide of terror. 

Andy water skiing. 

The leaves were starting to change color, even though the weather was so summer-like. It was beautiful. 

The Pool

Alex loved this spot. They had a big pool (outdoors) and a splash pool. We spent a substantial amount of time in both over the weekend.