Pumpkin Patch

Grandma and Grandpa Ferguson came to visit on Saturday. After soccer games, college football (must see TV), and a mandatory stop at Cracker Barrel for a late lunch, we FINALLY headed to the pumpkin patch. We squinted our eyes to pretend all the leaves were in their full red, orange, and yellow glory. We shivered a bit to pretend the air was crisp and not really eighty degrees. (though we are not complaining....we love Willaimsburg's indian summers!) We did not have to fake the anticipation we shared as we all piled out of the car and each headed off in different directions, on the hunt to claim the perfect pumpkin. 

Who knew there were so many different varieties to choose from? Aladdin, Howden Biggie, Pie, Magic Lanterns, Prizewinners, Jaredale, Lumina White, One Too Many, Peanut, Full Moon, Cinderellas, Fairytale, Mammoth Golds, Munchkin, Little Ironsides, and Long Island Cheese. Wow!!!!

College Kids!

I know, I know,  I look too young to have kids in college, but it's true!  They're having a great time. Afton says it's weird having the whole gang together again. Chuck, Afton, Andrew, Kevin, and Lauren have been hanging out since elementary school. Three years, three missions, and one wedding later, they are all back together at BYU. 

First day of school!

They go to Denny's after playing Ultimate Frisbee..

They play racquetball...or at least try to!

and of course support the school's football team! Go Cougars!!

A word is worth a thousand pictures....

Oh, wait I have that backwards, don't I?  Well, words are all I have right now. When Chuck left for Germany to pick up our son from his mission, his final instructions from me were "take LOTS of pictures".  Well guess what? Apparently the landscape in Germany is practically identical to that in Virginia, so really no need for pictures. YES! That really is what he said to me! 

 

They did have a great time. They toured around for four days before flying home. Chuck had the opportunity to meet some of the people Chuckie worked with and served as a missionary with the past two years. We know he has forged realtionships that will last throughout his life and are grateful for the opportunities he has experienced.

 

We at home were so excited to see them and knew that the 25th would be a very long day of waiting. Little did we know just how long! Their flight out of Germany was cancelled. We waited all day to hear from them and to know when and where they would fly in to. Finally at 10 pm, Chuck called from Chicago saying they would arrive in Richmond just after midnight. Only about six hours late, not bad.

 

Of course we were all thrilled to see Chuckie and enjoyed a bunch of family and friends coming and going throughout the next five days. We also squeezed in shopping for new clothes (you know, things in a few colors other than black and gray, and not ties!) dentist and doctor's appointments, a few good movies, a day at Busch Gardens, and lots of pictures and stories from the mission.  

 

Next, it was time to pack up for school. I flew to Utah with Chuckie to help get him settled in to his apartment and to visit Afton and Andrew in their new apartment as well. It was a second tearful, happy reunion at the Salt Lake airport. Not only were Afton and Andrew there to welcome us, but my brother Rob and his darling family as well. I didnt get any pictures here either, but Afton got some and has posted them on her blog (aftonicole.blogspot.com).

 

We have had a wonderful month, full of family and reunions. We are so very grateful to all those who add so much to our lives and who touch us in ways they will never fully know.