Sunday, October 31, 2010

Pumpkin Patch

So probably our most favorite Fall activity is going to the BI -ZI Farm pumpkin patch. We love the tractor ride to the pumpkin fields where we get to pick out our pumpkins, petting the animals, climbing the hay bale tower, searching the hay bale maze, playing in the corn kernel pile, eating carmel popcorn and drinking hot apple cider. This year was Delaney's first time. It rained on and off, but we were prepared with boots, jackets, hats and gloves. The rain did not detour our fun. Cooper is still talking about our trip. Since we left the house so early we went to a late breakfast at Sheri's after. Spending time as a family is so enjoyable. We LOVE this family tradition.
 

















Friday, October 29, 2010

New Halloween Tradition... I think!

We all LOVE pancakes and free ones even better... so we headed to IHOP tonight for the kids free "scary face" pancakes. Cooper loved decorating his pancaked and Laney ate from my plate. Pete and I got the "all you can eat" pancakes. Funny how the idea of all you can eat is very appealing, but truth be told we only ate 4 each. They were the size of a small saucer so we probably didn't get our monies worth, but it was fun spending time as a family so well worth the cost.

I think this will be one of our Halloween traditions along with visiting the pumpkin farm, decoration the house, carving pumpkins, dressing up and of course trick-or-treating or in our case trunk-or-treating.

We LOVE Halloween besides the fact that it is Pete's birthday... Happy Birthday Hon!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

GOOD RIDDANCE!

After 4 long years of trying to sell our house and 7 offers it finally closed escrow on Tuesday. During this process I experienced many emotions. In the beginning, I felt sad to be leaving our first home. Then, pride set-in that we could no longer afford to live there and some embarrassment. Next, was frustration that it was taking so long with the bank not working with us. Finally, to "good riddance" as 2 years not living there and dealing with renters, utilities, buyers, etc finally came to a close. It actually feels rather liberating and like a weight has been lifted. THERE IS LIGHT @ THE END OF THE TUNNEL! Here's to our future and the "new" home we will have some day!

SERVICE

Pete has 7 home teaching families (families he visits once per month for our church). He has a companion who is usually not available to go with him. Pete has visited 6 of the 7 families already this month and has his last appointment tonight. Since she is a single sister (female) he decided to take Cooper with him. It was heart warming and I was so proud to see my guys leave together to perform this service. In my minds eye I quickly saw the future with many more of these father/son activities. I LOVE my boys!!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Yakima, Washington Road Trip

I wanted to get delicious apples for cheap so I got Papa and the family headed to the apple farms of Yakima Washington. It is a several hour trip, but passes through some really beautiful country. We stopped to see Mt. St. Helen's and took pictures. We finally made it to Yakima and spent some time trying to find the "farms". I really had pictured the type where you could pick-your-own except I just wanted to purchase the picked ones. After driving around for what seemed like hours; we finally found a "road-side" stand that had apples, pears and peaches at a really good price ($.40 per pound). I bought a 25 pound box of apples and one of peaches (a few days later Pete, Courtney & I canned them).

On our way home we decided to take a scenic tour of a valley. It was so beautiful. We stopped at a little lake and walked around a bit. Cooper, Papa & Dad all went to the water and saw tadpoles. I stayed and fed Laney. From the spot we could see Mt. Rainer, boy is it beautiful. We left our home at 7am and didn't return until about 8pm. The kids did so well considering we drove most of the 12+ hours we were gone. We had a great time. For sure a trip to do again next year!!!
 
 
 
 
 Mt. St. Helen's
 
 
 These are our on-the-way-home pictures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pete has his knees bent and is on a lower step then Papa to make Papa look like a giant.
 Mt. Ranier