Fall Fun

We are doing well. Zack is in the interview season and been talking with several jobs trying to figure out where to move us next. I am busy schooling the children and trying to keep their minds busy. The past few weeks we went to a pumpkin farm and down to Garden of the Gods. We never did get any pumpkins because we were too busy playing. Garden of the Gods was a long drive for a short hike but the children still had fun and really enjoyed listening to their new book on cd (The Secret Garden) on the way there and back. Enjoy the pictures.


Amber in her hay bed.


Scarecrow Amber

When we got to the pumpkin farm they had a big blow up slide. The kids loved playing on it so much that we didn't even make it out to the fields for pumpkins.

Amber on the stairs of the slide. Really, who needs pumpkins when you have a moon bounce?

Ashley in her hay bed.

Ashely kept asking me to take her picture on top of different pumpkins. She went from pumpkin to pumpkin saying, "Mom, I'm ready!"

Ashley on the moon bounce.

Caleb really liked eating the hay while Alex and Amber were on the slide.

Um, Mom, I can't fit it all in!

Caleb enjoying the hay.




Three smiling kids! Can't you just feel the sibling love?

Hay monsters!
Mom, Caleb and Ash.

We found a snake in our back yard. Everyone got a chance to hold it except Mom. I passed. These are our good friends, Dustin and Hunter. They just moved this weekend across town and we are really going to miss them.

Alex was very proud of his snake. He wanted to keep it in our yard but I suggested we put it on the other side of the fence. I am just not ready for pets yet.

Of course, Amber is ready for pets right now.
These next shots are from our trip to Garden of the Gods. This is Pike's peak. The view from up there inspired the words to "America the Beautiful."

Queen of the Mountain

Ashley and her buffalo. She just LOVES buffaloes.

Brothers.

We were downstairs finishing up dinner when we heard, "I changed my diaper." Zack went upstairs. He came back, got the camera and went back up. Didn't she do a great job? Thank heavens there was no stinky in the old one!

Amber's favorite game is being "tied up." I have NO idea where she got it from but here is Alex doing the job for her!

See how happy she is?

October Activites

Well, I was inspired by today's Primary lesson. Instead of taking my usual Sunday afternoon nap I am posting some cute pictures of the kids. The past few week we went to the Denver Botanical Gardens, picked raspberries, and played at the Fall Fest at Anderson Farms. We have had amazingly warm weather for the first few weeks of October. Happy Fall!

The barrel ride at Anderson Farms. The kids loved it, except for Ashley who loved it until the last minute when we went over some pretty big bumps. She cried until we stopped. Caleb, however, was quite a champ.
Ashley learning how to milk a cow at Anderson Farms.
Abby, Amber, Josh, and Alex in the corn maze. It was hard to keep up with them and enforce the rule that they needed to stop at every intersection so we all knew which direction to go. We could have spent hours in there...and we could have gotten lost in the 5 miles of trails.
Hmm...why don't they ever lick their bowls like this when it isn't dessert? Check out that lower lip!


She learned it from her brother.
Amber and Ashley doing their morning chore: the dishwasher. They always dress up for the task and listen to music. Today Ashley also decided to wear her moose backpack.
Ashley in her pink dragon Halloween costume.

Alex and Amber in their barrels at Anderson Farms.

Alex and Amber riding a trike through the trike maze at the farm.
Sweet Ashley holding her little brother.
What a grin!

Alex milking the cow. He really liked it. Perhaps we have a dairy farmer in the making.
See the chocolate on the nose? Left over from drinking every last bit from his bowl.


Mom! Take a picture of me, too!

Me three!
Caleb loves eating now. Tonight he had sweet potato.
Hmm...what is that on your face Ashley? Were you out picking raspberries???

Caleb in his usual spot...riding in the stroller.

Mom, don't I look great in red?
What wonderful sisters!
Dad and Amber at the dinner table. She's her daddy's girl. They both are slow eaters!
Giggles!
Amber just loves getting her picture taken in front of yellow flowers.

Stopping for a snack while hiking at the botanical gardens.
Ashley finally learned how to ride a tricycle this month. It has been very exciting. Ash and Mom usually take a ride/walk down to the mail box every afternoon.
What kind of face is that?
And we were worried about getting enough pictures of this boy smiling...
Amber out riding her new bike that Dad got her for her birthday. Now she had no problem keeping up with Alex.

Brothers! Cute tongue, Caleb.
Don't laugh with your mouth full.

Amber girl!