Over the weekend

After 3 solid days of rain, the gray skies finally moved out and made room for some pretty blue ones.

That said, we decided to load up and do some fun stuff.

We saw chickens.


And goats.


And pigs.


And sheep.

J was determined that if he sat there long enough with some food in his hands that they would come to him. Sadly, that didnt happen.


G on a mission with the farmer. They had things to do.

Top secret things.

G did some serious jumping.

And some serious falling, too.

I went to my beautiful cousins house. Shes having a baby!

And she was having cake, too.


AND she was texting, too. But not to me right in the other room, I promise. I mean, who does that?


And this guy?

He lost 2 teeth in the past 2 days. See?


And this girl?

After much thinking, she decided it was time for a change....almost 5 inches of change to be exact.

And I really think she has grown that many inches, too.

We had a busy weekend. Im pretty sure I need a nap just thinking about it all.

I couldnt resist

Im so glad that we have the tools he needs.

Visiting and chores.

Ive been gone. Where was I, you ask? I was hanging out at Critter Farm and visiting with my great friend, Danni.

Traveling to see her is one of my most favorite things to do. And I am beginning to think that my stopping by has become one of their favorite things,too. How can I tell? Would it be by the showering of confetti and streamers? Nah....its much better than that. I can tell because they always have a list of things for me to do when I arrive. Thats how I know that they really like me.

This time I was entrusted to do many, many things. So many, in fact, that I wont even list them all here. But, I will be nice and show you a few.

I got to sweep out the barn.


Plant some tomatoes.


Harvest some very yummy candy striped beets.


They even let me use the clippers for several different tasks.

I got to plant some zucchini seeds. 2 different kinds.

And I got to watch Roxy swipe a strawberry right off the plant and then become a little confused on if she should be eating it or not...I think really she was just waiting for someone to cut it up for her.


I did not, however, get up on the roof to remove the pine needles.


Nor did I try to catch that really cool snake we saw.


All those chores were really fun. But lest I confuse you and make you think that all they had me do was work , work ,work...let me show you what else I got to do.

I had some one on one time with Pete and Reggie.

I sat by a really great campfire.


I got to take Pete and Reggie to pasture. Shhhh..I also sat there and watched them...I could have done that for hours.


I even got to watch Pete run and run and run...and then. Sleep.

And look what I got to take home for all my hard work.

Upon my return home I received word that I was not quite done with my chores after all. I was asked if I had planted my sweet, darling, baby Douglas fir trees.

And to that I can say, yes. Yes, I did.

Hidden Treasures

I was digging around for some gloves this morning and found these stashed in a pocket. You can just tell by looking at this pocketful of treasures that fun was had.


Later in the day, as I set about to make dinner, I reached into the cabinet to get my stock pot so I could boil my homemade ravioli. Clearly, G knew what he was doing when he put his new BFF, Abby Cadabby in there.


Same cabinet, different kitchen tool. Wouldnt you know? The one place that I didnt look for that missing receipt and small wooden strawberry was in my salad spinner. G strikes again!


The day began winding down. I had received word from my friends at the library that I had a few books waiting for me. I made a run up there and was very excited to find these. Just a little light reading.

4th Annual Pumpkin Carving Party

Yep, thats right. This is our 4th year at hosting our pumpkin carving party, And we're still going strong! I think this was maybe our largest turn out yet at about 35 folks...including kids of all ages.


Of course, you cant have a Halloween party without decorations.



A couple hours before the guests arrived my ma and the kids locked themselves in the garage and made everything all spooky like.



Theres G again with his signature...Oh my goodness...and the clapping.



Everyone brought a dish to share. I made a few desserts that seemed to hit the spot.



This one in particular seemed to be quite popular. (Thanks for keeping me company Angie, while I waited for this thing to cool earlier!)



The way this all works is that you bring a dish to share and also your own stash of pumpkins. I have all the carving tools and patterns, if you so choose to use them. Most of the time everyone just wings it and ends up with some pretty great jack o lanterns. We all eat, laugh, hang out, and then carve, carve, carve.



There are times when you just have to be a little taller. I can so relate to that. I am not above using a chair to make my life easier. Its so refreshing to me to see that the kiddos arent either. Altho...Im sure they wont have to use a chair every year....I on the the other hand....lets just say that a stool is a great sidekick to have.



If I were to take a poll this evening Im pretty sure that it would come back saying that scooping out the pumpkins is everyones least favorite part. In fact, I think K would be the delegated spokesperson for that. She had a lot to say here....Whats that, hunny? Huh? You need help? No time, no time...I have to take more pictures....youre doing a great job tho. Really.



J was nearly the LAST one done. He really put alot of thought into his carving. Im sure it didnt help that his pumpkin had a rind that was like 6 inches thick...he was just sawing and carving....carving and sawing. Determination....thats always a great thing to have.



The party began at 6 and I think it was almost 9 before we got to engage in the lighting ceremony.....it wasnt nearly as fancy as that one that they did for the Olympics with the whole zip line thing...but it turned out quite nice, if I do say so myself. Quite nice.



So, now the house is settled down with night time noises...sleeping kids, dryers drying, and dishwashers running. I really need to clean the garage I say to myself. There is pumpkin goo and pumpkin seeds aplenty out there....pumpkin tools that need washed, tablecovers to be taken off, floors that needs to be swept.....but alas, this is what was calling me....


warm, flannel jammies....and the nice cozy couch.....with my feet on the sweet, little ottoman......all that other stuff? It will still be there in the morning.