What's the point of a bed...

...when all you do is sleep on the floor?

Week of Fieldtrips

Brynn's class went to the pumpkin patch on Tuesday. I was really excited to go to, since last year I felt like I was MIA to all of her class stuff. I almost didn't make this trip either...but mostly because I got lost on the drive out.
Sometimes Google maps just can't be trusted.
I had a panicked text convo with my sister in law about the whereabouts of the pumpkin patch, and then lost reception on my phone.
Sweet.
When I finally found it, 45 minutes later, I was told that I had been assigned a group of 2nd graders, and since I hadn't been there at the start of the day, other parents had had to take on extra kids in their group. I got the stink eye from several other moms at that point.
Awesome.
So, I gathered my 6 kids, no scratch that, my 4 girls, and tried to stop the nervous sweat from stinking up my outfit.
We rode tractors, dug up potatoes, picked pumpkins, milked the cow (oh, that's right, I was late, and didn't get to see my child participate in that part) pet the donkeys - careful, they bite, ate lunch while being swarmed by yellow jackets, and tasted fresh ice cream made from the cream of the dairy.
I then slunked back to my car, and prayed that Cannon's trip would go oodles and oodles better the next day.

Wednesday I left the house in PLENTY of time to find the patch. I got there a few minutes after the kids unloaded off the bus, and sighed with relief. I was assigned my son, and one other boy to watch for the 2.5 hours that we would be there. And then I lost the other boy.
Yep. Turned around for a second and he was gone. Had to tuck my tail between my legs, and go find the teacher to let her know that in the matter of 5 minutes this kid had somehow disappeared.
I did eventually find him at the top of a hay bale pyramid.

We played in corn husk tee pees, fed chickens, cows, sheep and goats, jumped in a jumpy house, and got lost in the corn maze. It was a pretty cool time - until we had to pick a pumpkin (the size of your head) and the other boy refused. "You sure you don't want one?" I kept asking? "Yup" was all he would answer.
Okay...whatever.
Good times, good times.

A Poem by Brynn

Swinter is winter mixed with summer.
Summer is fun,
because we get to play in the sun.
Winter is fun,
because we get to play in the snow -oh.
Summer is fun,
because we have no school - oo.
I am mad, sitting on my dad.

Beautiful Day at the Beach

Sunny, light winds, friends to splash in the water with, a (failed) attempt at crabbing, dinner around a campfire, roasting marshmallows, and a cozy car to climb into when its too cold to stay outside all make for a beautiful day at the beach.

Carpets Cleaning

Its been 5 years since we had it done.

I didn't know that it was so bad until we moved the furniture out.

Gag...


Looks soooo much better after a good cleaning!

Clearlake with the Cousins

Whew. When there are 7 kids running around, it's never quiet. Never.

There was constant chattering, yelling, running, laughing, dancing, and the occasional meltdown during the little weekend getaway.

The adults even had time for chatting around the breakfast table, and refills on their coffee, something that doesn't happen too often.

The weather was perfect, and so everyone spent time at the shore of the lake, either playing in the sand, fishing, kayaking, or chasing ducks.

The ones that fished managed to catch 13 without any bait...miraculous as we have been told.

And when they crashed, they crashed hard. Snoring, and catching zzz's like pros!

Although it was short, it was fun, and hopefully, we will get the opportunity to do it again!

"The Destroyer"

Here are some ways you know that Nolan has been in the room:

1. An entire roll of toilet paper has been unwound
2. Baskets have been emptied
3. Drawers are open...and emptied
4. Something is broken

and the best way to know that "The Destroyer" (as he has been appropriately nicknamed by the kids) has been in a room...

5. Someone is crying

One month till your 1 year birthday....

Fall Time

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time of year!

It's harvest time for the vineyards. My dad will disappear from our lives for the next couple of weeks as he works himself to the bone to get all his grapes picked. Then he will sleep for a few days, and all will return to normal.


The apple crop this year has been amazing too! The best in decades as the old farmers will tell you. The apples are huge! They are vibrant in color! They taste delicious, and thankfully, I have as many as I could ever want!


The weather has been hot! The poor kids are stuck in classrooms while the temperatures soar to 90 degrees. Everyone looks to west to see if the fog is coming in soon. The dog just lays around and (if it's even possible) is lazier than usual. The kids are grateful for a scoop of ice cream after dinner on nights like these!


Soccer practices are held in the evening, because we still have light, but the temperature is better to run around in.
Sigh.
I. Love. Fall.

Nolan vs The Peach

Nolan wins every time!
After 5 minutes there is nothing left but a pit! Amazing!