Pumpkins

 

This year, we went to a local pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins. Kendall had homework and wasn't that excited about going, so he and Jon stayed home. Of course, we ran out the door without the camera. :) They have a little corn maze and rows and rows of pumpkins to choose from--white, orange, green, big, small, etc. Last year, after Halloween, I grabbed a bunch of pumpkin carving kits (complete with patterns), so we tried a few new designs this year. As always, the kids loved every minute of it!! The Saturday before Halloween, my parents hosted a Halloween party for the grandkids that was a lot of fun. The kids painted pumpkins. Kendall was so excited to do an Angry Bird. Haha. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures.

Kendall's barfing pumpkin

Kristen's funny lady

Jarren's spooky pattern

Jenna's owl pumpkin

The porch

Finished products

 

 

Cornbelly's

 

Pumpkin Tether Ball

Horse Riding

We've been trying to adjust to having Jon work from home. Since the kids were out of school for 4 days for Fall Break, back in October, I used one of those days to take them to Cornbelly's--a fun Halloween activity place. We went there once about 2 years ago at night, and it was much different going in the day. For one thing, it was sooo super crowded. For another, it was HOT! The kids thought they were melting. :) There were so many fun things--

Corn Maze

Driving Range--Jarren

Driving Range--Kendall

Driving Range--Kristen

Driving Range--Jenna

Swings

Slides

Spider Webs

 

We had a blast!!!

Flashback Friday

Halloween 2006. Kendall was in 3rd grade (8 years old) and was a Clone Trooper from Star Wars. No, he didn't take the gun to school. Haha. Kristen was in 1st grade (6 years old) and was a snow princess. Jarren was 3 years old and was Superman. Jenna was 6 months old and was a tiger. I LOVE those warm costumes. It seems that more often than not, Halloween and trick or treating is cold and I hate getting a costume only to have to cover it all up in big bulky coats. With these, you may still need a coat, but you can leave it unzipped. :) Our school does a parade in the morning and then class parties. It's a fun, memorable day for the kids.

Flashback Friday

Today I'm flashing back to favorite Halloween traditions. Then and now.

Growing up, I loved the smell of fall--crunchy leaves, pumpkins cooking with candles lighting them, apples, etc. I love the vibrant colors of the leaves. Those things still remain favorites of mine now.

Things I love:
*the Halloween costume parade at the school. We used to so that and my kids get to do that too.
*going to the pumpkin patch to choose pumpkins and then going through the corn maze (now).
*carving pumpkins a few days before Halloween and trying to decide if it should be scary, funny, or cute.
*roasting pumpkin seeds.
*drinking apple cider.
*eating apples dipped in caramel or making caramel apples.
*watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."
*reading Halloween books every night. One of our favorites is "Room on the Broom."
*watching scary movies.
*singing Halloween songs--"I'm a Mean Old Witch," "Halloween," "Monster Mash."
*decorating the house with autumn decor.
*always having a bowl set out with Brach's candy corn autumn mix (with the little pumpkins).
*shorter, warm days and crisp, cool nights.

What Do You Call....

What do you call someone who doesn't eat meat? A vegetarian, right? But what if she doesn't like:

*carrots
*celery
*lettuce (will tolerate occasionally)
*corn
*spinach
*cauliflower
*sometimes broccoli
*peas (unless they're fresh from the garden or frozen. Yes, frozen as in frozen--not cooked)
*bananas
*apples
*peaches
*most melons
*blueberries
*etc.

And what in the world do you feed her to make sure she gets the nutrients she needs to grow???

Flashback Friday

Point Reyes Lighthouse lookout

The Redwoods

These pictures were taken at the end of March 2007 in Northern CA. It was Kendall's first trip alone with Jon. It's been such a good bonding experience to do these types of things, one on one. It's kind of funny that 4.5 years later, they went again to Northern CA but saw a totally different part--and they loved it (of course)!! Kendall fell in love with the ocean on this trip pictured here. He's dreamed of living near the ocean ever since. It's crazy to me how young he looks! This trip was such a new experience for him and here he is now, able to maneuver himself all over CA by himself largely because of these trips and experiences.

10 Things

I think my last few posts might be a teensy bit on the negative side, so....I'm going to list 10 things that I'm really happy/grateful about. I woke up early this morning and was thinking about this. There are so many things--it's hard to choose. Here goes!

1. The early mornings are so crisp and cool and the afternoons are still warm. Love it!!
2. My back hardly hurts anymore!! And everyone is well and healthy at the moment.
3. It's October!! I love the smell of the falling leaves, the feel of the sun and the air, the fall decorations coming out (yes, we put ours up today--Jenna's been chomping at the bit to get this done), the leaves start changing colors and it's absolutely gorgeous!! T hen it's Halloween, which is followed pretty closely by Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. These next three months are the best, most fun time of the year.
4. The smell of the Concord grapes riping on the vine. Yum!!
5. I have four absolutely adorable, unique, sweet kids. Haha, it seems kind of funny calling my teen "adorable." But he is. :)
6. My hubby has a job!! Unfortunately, in this economy, not everyone can say that. So even though it's a stressful transition period, he IS employed.
7. Speaking of my hubby, he is THE BEST!!! He takes such good care of me and is so thoughtful and kind. I'm pretty lucky.
8. I have a house that I love. It's not the biggest or most expensive house, but we've done a lot to it to make it ours. We have room for all of us and have a great yard and live in a terrific location--within walking distance to all three schools (backyard for elementary, about 2 blocks for both middle and high schools).
9. I have fantastic parents, grandma, and siblings--in-laws too. I don't live close to most of them, but we still manage to keep in touch and are actually friends. I know any of them would do anything for me and I would do the same.
10. I live now!! I'm so grateful for the technology we have so I can keep in touch with family and friends; the medicine and doctors now are terrific! I can't imagine "roughing it" like the pioneers.

I need to keep focused on the good things, because there are so many blessings and happy things in life.