Pumpkin Patch

Today after Nutcracker practice we went to the pumpkin patch to get our pumpkins. We were about two weeks later than we usually go, so the pickings were a little slimmer. We still had a great time climbing the straw bales, driving the pedal carts, and going through the maze. Here are some pictures:

It was a little windy. Cooper is hitting another spurt, closing the distance between his and Amelia's height.

Awwww! What you didn't see was the elbow Amelia jammed into Cooper's side as he quickly leapt away.

Cooper loved climbing on the straw bales.

 This year we rode the pedal carts. Rather, Amelia and Cooper steered while I alternated pushing them out of ruts and mud. :-) Amelia got the hang of it soon though, and she took off.

However, I'm grateful we have a couple years before driver's ed:

Cooper was All. Over. The. Place.

Amelia did better, but still managed to get stuck a few times.

Next week we have the school carnival and Hocus Pocus!

Straw Maze

To kick off Harvest Break, we went to the opening day of the straw maze. Just me, Cooper, Amelia........and two of her loudest friends. I put all three girls in the back seat hoping.....well, I'm not quite sure what I was hoping for. Poor Cooper kept turning around, trying to join their conversation.

As those who know or have 12-year-old girls, joining a conversation is often next to impossible. Cooper tried several times, only to be discouraged. Finally, he turned back around, huffed out a breath and said, "All girls DO is talk, laugh, interrupt, giggle and be loud." I told him he'd discovered the secret of women and to remember that all his life.

We arrived at the straw maze and immediately became separated from the "noisy girls" and finally "had some quiet to think".  He did however, manage to crash the girls "before" picture:

Cooper and I wandered around, thinking each time we'd found the way out. These are the twine that hangs down so you run into it at night and get all creeped out. It was a stormy day, so during the worst rain we sheltered in the tunnels or the haunted bus.

Cooper and I ended up getting REALLY turned around and came OUT the Haunted Forest entrance. While we waited for the girls he played on the slides and straw bales.

                                     

After everyone finished the maze, we played in the straw pit for awhile. We were already soaked, so why not get covered in straw, too?

Here's a picture after the rainstorms, the straw pit, and an hour and a half being lost. We picked up Amelia's friend's brother during the adventure.

Onto to Hocus Pocus, picking our pumpkins, and harvest parties!

Jackson 2016

We squeezed in a trip to Jackson, WY this weekend. We went to all our usual places, but added the excitement of going over the pass in a snowstorm! Here are some pictures:

We had fun walking downtown and looking at all the tourists and sights. Cooper had such a good time watching everything he literally walked into a pole! Luckily he wasn't hurt and we all laughed about it the rest of the weekend.  Here they are in front of the antlers.

And of course in the candy store!

We even drove out to Mormon Row to look at the fading (but still beautiful) autumn colors.

The Tetons were hiding but the view was still amazing!

 

Amelia is considering the fashion perks of being a Jackson cowgirl.

Next up, all our Halloween activities!

EISF 2016!

Autumn time has officially begun! Last week we went to the fair in Blackfoot. We gorged ourselves on tiger ears, scone nuggets, potatoes, and ice cream. Amelia and Cooper entered the baking competition again this year. Amelia had moved up to the 11-17 year old class, so she was happy to win 2nd place for her coconut bread! Cooper entered orange bread and also won second. I think they were a little let down after sweeping first place and best of class last year! :-)

Here they are outside the entrance:

I think half the fun is finding their bread:

We walked through the campers and RVs and dreamed of "someday". This one was their favorite:

As always, we stopped at the petting zoo, where Amelia and Cooper devised a plan to get food to a tiny baby goat the older, bigger goats always pushed out of the way.

We had a great time at the fair and visiting family, including our TWO new additions! Grandkids now officially outnumber kids!

Next up: straw mazes, pumpkin patches, and all other fabulous autumn activities!

First Day of School!

School started this week and everyone was ready to go back! Here's our first day pictures!

Amelia also traded her violin for a full one! She can keep this one with her forever--unless she becomes a world-renowned violinist and wants a bit fancier one. Hey, dream big, right?

Next weekend we have the fair! Can't wait!

Final Summer Days!

A few last of summer pictures (can't say I'm sorry--AUTUMN is up next!)

We went to Celebrate Youth this year, as usual. Amelia immediately ditched us for friends :-) so Cooper and I went around and played games, shot a fire hose, and played in the spray from the ladder hose.

Notice he's soaked. It was a hoooooot day.

We also registered Amelia for junior high! We found all her classes and she walked them in order of when she'll have them. She'll be a tired little girl because they were all over the school! She's super excited and seems so grown up. Here's a picture of her in the hallway:

Lastly, we had our annual back-to-school dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe. We ate way too much, celebrated the end of summer, and geared up for the next school year:

We're ready for 2016-1017!

End of Soccer and New Cousin

Whew! School is coming up soon and things are getting a little out of control in our home. Here's what's happened the last few weeks:

Cooper finished soccer with a bang---his last game he took a soccer ball to the face playing defender and broke his glasses. He rallied however, and jumped back in the game with slightly fuzzy vision to complete the quarter. Here's his team photo:

Amelia and I cheered him on from the sidelines. She had a difficult time wrapping up her camp chair:

My amazing soccer player, pre-ball-in-the-face:

He played a great game and has improved so much this year. I really do think soccer will be his sport!

We also had the arrival of another cousin! We were thrilled to be able to meet the newest addition to the Call family only hours after he was born. He's such a cutie and we already love him so much!

That's it for now--next post will probably be first day of school pictures. So exciting to start another year!