Cub Scout Awards

Some might say that every morning is quiet at our house, but it was unusually quite this morning. dad is golfing, McKaleigh and Colton are gone, so it's just Alex and mom - and he did not want me to read books to him, but preferred his morning "toons." So I had a great opportunity to do a little blogging and change my background to Fall...I am so excited for fall and cooler weather!

We have some Cub Scout news to share...Colton received his first few awards and beads and I received my first "mom's pin." It was a really long, but fun event and we are so very proud of our Colton...on to bigger and better things, he is going to get another badge for building something with dad next weekend, and I sure it will be fancy! Great Job Colt!

Loving the Farmers Market!

I have to say that yesterday (Saturday) was the day I fell in love with the Farmer's Market. There is a VERY LARGE market near downtown that has so many wonderful things that I could have wandered around all day (my husband was gracious enough to walk around with me)! No only did this market have fresh fruit and veggies of all sorts- with taste tests, but jewelery, artwork, homemade lawn and home decorations...I could go on and on, but was just so excited and now think that everyone should support their local Farmers Market!

I will also add that we attended the Pet Super Adoption and I absolutely fell in love with a boxer puppy (it was 18 mos), and cannot wait for Spring (when we will be adding a puppy to our family)!

A Wonderful Labor Day

I have to say that pretty much every weekend lately has been great! That said, We had a great time on Labor Day. We decided to take the family to "This is the Place Heritage Park." The boys and I had never been, and Brett had not been since he was a kid - McKaleigh had been with her Achievement Day group, but was excited to show us around. Ever since our return, I have suggested this as a great family activity to everyone.

After a really fun bike ride to Gardner Village for some treats and to see some of the Halloween Witches out and about, we came home and while Alex napped, Dad and the kids got some Guitar Hero practice in.

At This is the Place Park...
Here are the kids in front of some old wagon tires and an old wagon.
Here are mommy and Alex washing a cloth in an old bin with a washboard. The water was so dirty, and he loved it!
Here is our buddy all finished washing and showing you he then pinned his cloth up on the clothesline.

Dad and Alex playing with some pioneer toys.

After getting some fun in, dad and Colton had to go and plow the field. Colton thought this was really hard work...Daddys job - to make sure the row was straight - not so hard!
After working in the fields, the boys played some more pioneer games!

Then Alex gathered some veggies and took them into the tithing building.

While Alex was paying his tithing in carrots, Colton decided to make candles. It was quite a process, but here is his finished product! Pretty Cool - he just started with a thin, wet piece of string.

Mommy and the kids taking a train ride around the lake...Alex kept yelling "All Aboard" and loved every minute.

Colton and McKaleigh stamping pieces of leather to make really great designs. I think it was really fun for the kids to see how all kinds of things (arrowhead necklaces, clothing out of skins, leather working, black smithing) were made back in the day!

Daddy taking Alex around on the pony rides.

The free petting zoo was a hit and it was huge. Alex really like giving all the animals a pat pat.

Daddy donning some real cowboy gear. What a handsome guy!

Daddy showing Alex a hatchet - Mckaleigh stayed far away, she though Alex was a bit reckless with this weapon.

Back at the general store, ever the shopper she is, McKaleigh invested in a coonskin cap and a back of butterscotch candy (not that she needed some, because she got a bag of the exact same candy on our morning bikeride to the village!).

Our little buddy in his western wear checking out the world through a kaleidascope.

Along the trail we found a baby goat that needed a pat pat.

Right in the middle of the Park is a little village with kid size houses. The kids all played here for awhile - Alex really enjoyed ringing the bell on the Firehouse.

At the end of the day we took a train ride around the whole Park and just sat back and took it all in. It was amazing the amount of work it took to live back then. Thank Heaven for my easy life today! I have to say, with everything that is going on in the world today, it is days like this - with my husband and kids that make me feel that we have it pretty good. In looking back through these pictures, there were so many smiles, laughs, and so much excitement in all of us to see and do. We don't have to "break the bank" to have a great time, and the time we do have is so very precious. I guess I just have to say, I am lucky, blessed, fortunate...whatever you want to call it, and I am glad I am!

Guitar Hero Rockers

We have really tried to limit the amount of time our children play video games- and limit the number we have in our home. That said, we have been looking for some really fun options for family time during the cold winter months coming up - and wouldn't you know it!...Dad found a really good deal on Guitar Hero.

This is where we found him when we got home from church today. He surprised the kids and went and bought Guitar Hero - and just had to test it out!
Colton is giving us his best rocker impression before beginning his turn.
Mom giving it a turn...Ya know, I try, but am just not a gamer - but really enjoyed the song selection!
Colton is really good at this game - must be practicing up at friends houses after school!

McKaleigh is right up there with mom, but nothing beats all being together playing guitar, right?
After jamming all afternoon, dad decided that Rock Band is a must...then we can all play together - what's so bad about that?

Bikes

When daddy started riding his bike to work, it quickly became a fun family night activity, so a few times each week, we talk a long bike ride. Daddy was using a bike borrowed from a friend, mommy was using a really beat down bike with a borrowed baby seat on the back, and McKaleigh and Colton had outgrown their bikes - so, we tossed around the idea of getting new bikes for Christmas, and just could not wait...so here are our early Christmas gifts.

Alex showing off his new trailer - he even has a pocket for snacks - which he immediately filled with nuts and raisins!
Daddy and his new bike - really sleek looking! He is the official trailer puller, and has seen a difference in his rides with Alex behind!
Our McKaleigh - she rode about 10 different bikes and settled on this one. She is still trying to get a handle on the gears and brakes. She missed our house trying to brake and ran into the stop sign at the end of the street!
Colton on his new bike. He fell in love with this one, and no matter what else he rode, this was it!
Mom, McKaleigh and Colton gearing up for the ride. We are trying to get in all the rides we can before the snow comes!