don't grow up; it's a trap

hey, everyone! happy tuesday!

well, the leaves are starting to fall off, it's almost thanksgiving time and pretty soon we'll be putting up our christmas stuff (has anyone else been listening to christmas songs for a few weeks now already? just me? OK.). but before we get all holly jolly up in here, i wanted to share a few photos from my fall explosion birthday back in october. allow me to explain. my family was down to do whatever for my day, but i had only one thing in mind: vala's pumpkin patch.

until you've been to this magical fall land, it's kind of hard to explain, but let's just say it's a nebraska treasure that is an essential item on the fall to-do list. 

october is not only the best month, but the best looking one too, in my opinion.

when we used to come here as kids, vala's was just a pumpkin farm with a few little attractions to accompany it. it had a storybook barn, a small petting zoo, a corn maze, hayrack rides and the infamously not scary haunted house. now, while they still have all of those things, they've expanded it so much to include a train, carnival-style games and a giant slide that is made only faster by cut pieces of burlap. see? so much fall! my mom joked that i would be having the only 26-year-old birthday party there, but i regret nothing. it was the type of day where you forget how old you really are and act like a child. it was perfect. here's a little taste...

one of the best things about vala's is the pig races that happen at the top of each hour. the guy who runs them is so punny, is great with the kids and always has really clever names for the pigs - usually whatever has been culturally relevant since last fall i.e. one directswine, tayboar swfit, kim kardashiham. hokey, sure. but so fun to see what names will be popular each year.

i could not get over how many gorgeous mums there were all over the grounds! seriously, the most brilliant colors you could ever dream up. this was only one part of it too. incredible!

not pictured: the mcclure side siblings. so grateful everyone came with me - with minimal complaints, i might add!

i have a strong feeling coming back won't be a problem.

all in all, the best part of vala's is the fact that although they have added a ton of great new things for families, the foundation has stayed the same. i thoroughly appreciate it allowing this 26 year old to feel like a kid again. until next fall, vala's!