One Big Pumpkin

The Short Version

That is Sally.
Sitting in our pumpkin.


The Long Version

We visited Bates Nut Farm.
Like most farms, it had animals for us to inspect.

And there were animals for us to feed.

Lots of them.

And more.

Of course, there was a hay filled tractor ride.

(that apparently the moms were more excited about than the kids)

Followed by a scenic pony ride.

(by scenic, I mean there was a lovely view of port-a-potties)

Topped off with some wheelbarrow fun.

This was all good, but nothing we hadn't seen before.

Until...

Poof! A huge pumpkin magically appeared beneath Sally.

Justin wondered what I had gotten him into.
But Brent's saw got him excited.

A lot excited.

Owen went into shock over the 12.2 lbs of pumpkin guts.

Yes, we weighed.

Errin took over de-gutting duties.

She was in there for awhile.

And then Sally made herself at home.


Since my carving was taking so long,
she befriended Brent & Errin's completed (home-grown) pumpkin.

And finally...my masterpiece & I shared a bonding moment.

Owen is 7

Medieval Times
Instead of a party, we celebrated Owen's birthday with just our family at Medieval Times.

• An hour pre-show of saying, "no" to souvenirs
• Eating with our hands
  
• Owen refusing his chicken cause the waiter said it was dragon
• Gigantic chicken portions (especially funny on Sally's plate)
  
• Our blue knight that liked to strike facial poses
  
• Boys cheering hard for our knight
  

Another Pre-Birthday Celebration

Sunday home-made donuts with Brent, Errin & Jones

(since they're @ Disneyland today...his actual birthday)

The Big Day

They showed up @ 7AM before school...so nice.
(it was crazy hair day @ Owen's school)

Owen's birthday menu was my favorite.

Breakfast: scrambled eggs and sausage
Lunch: no sandwich
Dinner: pancakes and cereal

The cake from a French bakery that Brent & Errin brought topped my breakfast.

After school, we had Let's Play Music together.
(just started him in it this year and it's awesome)

From me, Owen requested a Pokemon cake.

I'm not sure if this is what he had in mind but he was happy.

I like him.

Hands on Hips

We should've replaced the l's in her name with s's.
Sassy is more fitting.

Notice her pose in the background.

Don't want to leave Drew out.

I was the last one in our family to discover
this secluded pathway down the hill from us.

Our Wall-E Moment

Preschool trip to the recycling center.

Combined weight of the kids.

5 kids are in our group, but we get together with other groups for field trips.

Yellow-vested Rich did a great job.

But he kept saying I look like some doctor named Tara from a show on HBO.

This is the HBO Dr. Tara that came up in my search:

Rich is right! We are totally twins.

Mini HS Reunion

My lazy eye and I would like to thank Ann (my high school friend I hadn't seen in like 10 years) and her family for including us in their vacation.

It worked out quite nice.

Drew loved Beau.

Sally loved Gracie.

And I loved all of them.

This should happen more often than every 10 years.

Storm Troopin

I called in a Storm Trooper to get rid of the rain and it worked.

They'd Make The Rain Bearable

So much rain.

So few dry pants.

Can I tell you how bad I want rain boots right now?

In Celebration Of

Today is National Chocolate Cupcake Day.

So we had chocolate cupcakes.

Chocolate Fudge Junior Mint Centered Cupcakes, to be exact.

Post Edit...just noticed yesterday was also World Menopause Day.
Cupcakes and menopause sound like a great combo.

Events

The Main Event

The Other Events

Brick or Treat at Legoland

Jumping

Mom teaching me how to use my solar oven

Mario hat and Legos after an early birthday shopping trip with Grandma

Rachel gets the credit for all Brent's welcome home posters

Halloween fish pond with Grandma

Waiting for Brent (my brother)

Relaxing at Balboa Park

Ready for the drive home using my dad's latest invention (in-car bunk bed)

The Welcoming Committee

Brent gets home from Afghanistan tonight!

Hope he's ready for this huge flash (rented it) to be going off in his face nonstop.

We're all just a little excited.

I know Errin & Jones are his main priority.

But these faces (plus Rachel and Cole) are here for the welcoming, too.

2-3 more hours to go!!!

Not Thinking Straight

Does Sally look any skinnier to you?

Cause I accidentally added Slim-Fast (instead of Nesquick) to her milk this morning.

More sleep please.

C is for Camping

Drew's preschool is a co-op one I do with 4 other girls.

This week is my turn to host.

Made it through "C is for Camping" day.

After "D is for Dinosaurs" I get a 4-week break.

Sally joins the class when it's at our house.