Bigger and Better Than Ever...

So this year we grew our own pumpkins and didn't hav to buy any. I must say I was very proud to have grown these big babies...however you kind of forget that maybe they might be hard to carve. Let's just say that these bad boys were a little difficult to work with, but we had a lot of fun and really enjoyed what we came up with. Peyton of course is still a little too young to be doing is own carving. He started out wanting the biggest pumpkin, until of course he had to actually pull out the guts. You can see that he ended up switching to another pumpkin that was a little more his size and that he helped picked the design for. Of course Andy carved it. I told me how funny it was that he picked the design and then he says he is bored and leaves while Andy carves the pumpkin. But he ended up thinking it was very cool. He then had to immediately find a way to light the pumpkin.

I was also able to finish my first one about the same time Andy got down carving Peyton's pumpkin. I went with my witch theme again and since it was such a big pumpkin, I decided that I would add some words at the top. I ended up turning it enough that it actually looks like the witch's hat. It is pretty cool if I don't say so myself...

This is what my witch looked like lit up!

This is Peyton's spooky pumpkin!

We did our traditional eating the guts picture. Peyton always thinks this is so funny!

One of the pumpkins was so big, Peyts could fit his head into the opening in the top. This is the pumpkin he originally picked out but thought it was too hard to get the guts out, so he switched to the smaller one!

This is our traditional family of pumpkin heads pictures! We do this every year. After we finish carving, we put them put like they are our heads. Andy's pumpkin and mine are so big, we had a hard time hefting them up. I believe that is why my gullet is sticking out! ha!

Peyts was trying to look like a mummy!

I like my witch's head! It goes with the sign on my door at school that read, "Who needs Halloween, I'm a witch all year!" ha!

Andy's is the heaviest...he needs a little bit more on that bad boy!

This is what his looks like lit up! It is pretty cool and spooky. How would you like that thing looking in your window?

These are all three pumpkins lit up. Keep in mind we still have two more to finish...

This is my second one and it was so big that I carved three designs on it. I thought it turned out pretty cool, but I definitely got sick of carving pumpkins. Peyton took our one that looked like a butt crack pumpkin and painted it. He seemed to have the most fun with this. I forgot to get a picture but I will...it was a funny pumpkin. It grew into the fence and it made it have a design. These pumpkins were so heavy and so thick we had to scrap the insides for quite a while!

This is what my final pumpkin looked like lit up. We had them all out on our porch and lit up and then we realized it was freezing cold, so we had to haul these bad boys all back to the garage...it was not cool! But it was a fun night of carving!

We (or rather they) are the Champions...

Just can't do it like Queen can...huh! Well yesterday we had the chance to go and watch Austin play for the 8th grade grid kid championship. They played against Sandcreek and it was a very good and close game. Austin had some great tackles and also some great punts...This is our cheering crew right here. Let's just say that some of the crowd gets crazy for grid kid!
Austin's team ending up winning a very close game. I believe the score was 12-13. I was actually pretty impressed. They had some great plays and their little quarterback was pretty good. Sandcreek had one kid that did pretty much everything, but once they shut him down they did great! We enjoyed watching it. As you can see it was a beautiful day. Probably one of the best we have seen in a long time. It was even hot. We went from freak snowstorm to really hot. We loved it. It did mess up some of my pictures though! There is a little bit of a glare!

I didn't do a very good job of going down on the sidelines and taking pictures this year. I had to study my lesson between plays. So I don't have any good action shots. Granny wanted me to post this for everyone so I hope you enjoy!


As you can see in this shot and the next one, they are holding their hand in the form of a "C". I'm assuming that means champions. According to Angie, they haven't since sometime last season. There is another Rocky Mountain team that is also pretty good, so it should be a fun time watching them next year when they get into high school! I may actually go to a few of those games!

This last video is a reproduction of their chant they do before and after the game! It must imitidate the others because they really do get into it. You can see that Austin doesn't have much rhythm...you'll have to work on that Aus! Great job!

The Cycle Repeats Itself...

So ever since Peyton was little we thought he would love to clog. He loves dancing and he has great rhythm. Well Patty Gasser who is still teaching thank heavens decided she would do a little class. It has been kind of fun watching him learn his dance that I think those of us who took from Patty also did. There is another little boy in his class and also three little girls. They are all pretty cute...
Peyton stands by Tyson while warming up. He is doing pretty good during warm-ups...then....

...he gets in front of the mirror and all control and listening vanishes. He begins to pull faces, sit down, run up to the mirror...etc...After a lesson a while ago, we had a come to Jesus talk. I basically threatened him with everything he holds dear if he doesn't listen and do his best. That helped him improve a little...but I think he gets a little tired of marching to the beat of the same drummer and has to go out on his own. But he will be dancing for a Christmas recital I believe! Should be fun! It has brought back a lot memories of when I did this as a kid!

Them are Some Punkins'

So as I write this post(October 5, 2009), I have looked out all day at about three to four inches of snow and sadly wish that fall was just starting...I've loved watching my garden grow all summer. We have been very lucky with all that we were able to harvest. I'm always a little sad as I watch it age and continue to die as the weather gets colder. A while back my dad told us that it was going to freeze and that we needed to gather in our pumpkins. We went out to do that and were kind of sad because they grew so big. Before we gathered these in, we got some great pictures to actually show how big they got. I also had some awesome sunflowers that are all now weighed down with snow. I miss fall already...and my peaches are almost out! Saddest part of the year for me!
We had a really long row this year of over 60 sunflowers. They all got at least 10 feet or taller. They were a pretty and impressive sight!

Does anyone have any good ways to get to the seeds? They are millions of them. Last year I tried, but I don't think I did so well! Any suggestions?

Loved these shots of the sunflowers and the sunset!

Here are some of our pumpkins that really grew this year. My mom told me they are called Turk's turban and they are really good to eat, however, I just wanted to grow them for decoration. We sure had a lot of these...however, our monster pumpkins are what I am the most proud of!

This plant that grew our monster pumpkins went nuts. These two pumpkins actually grew on the other side of the fence because the plant actually through the fence and then the pumpkins sprouted. It was funny because the vine of the pumpkin made it grow through into the fence and so it is deformed to look like a bum crack..we of course refer to it as the bum crack pumpkin! Ha!

Here are the bad boys....We had a hard time lifting them into our wagon to haul out of our garden and we are not sure how we are going to carve them, but we love our huge pumpkins! I believe this is the biggest thing I've ever grown!

These two grew side-by-side. I took Jake's advice and tried to put something up to it to give it perspective. I realize that my foot is not the best thing to put up...however, it was all I had at my disposal. It will show you, though, how it dwarfs my foot. I have big feet and they look small compared to these babies!

We had four total big pumpkins and some more small ones. We are excited for Halloween. So much so, that Peyton has already tried to chop into two of them...hope they make it. We duct-taped the holes he made...we'll see!

Three Steps to Heaven....mmmm!

Just in case any of you need a quick and highly fantastic pick me up for the week...may I recommend one of my foods of the gods....It is easy to prepare and very, very good! Step one: Get a bowl and fill it with raspberries (preferably fresh-picked from your own bushes...which does involve a little more work, but is very peaceful!)

Then you need to sprinkle those raspberries with "REAL SUGAR"...no fake imitations will do.

Finally you need to then pour on "CREAM"...notice I did not say milk...but cream. Yes the goey kind that sticks to the top of your mouth and coats the raspberries (and later your hips) like a fresh coat of paint!

I guess there is a fourth step and that is to eat! But that is where you will actually experience a little piece of heaven! My great-grandfather used to serve this as a treat when we would go to visit him...I still vaguely remember that. I believe maybe that is why I still like them. There is a little nostalgia involved in it. I've taught my little boy to say "These are to die for..." when he eats them...not literally of course, but figuratively speaking. Those of you who are worried about calories and fat, etc...only once a year won't hurt! I will not be revealing how many times I've participated in this sinfully, heavenly good treat!

Enjoy!

First Day of School...(a little late!)

Okay, so I've been very excited for Peyton to go school. He has also been excited. I'm a little late in posting, but it gave me some time to think about school and education in a different light...from the perspective of a parent. The first thought I had was that Peyton is the first of the third generation of our extended family (my mom and dad) to go to Hamer school. That means we need some cousins to move here quick! Second it made me think about my role as a teacher and how every parent hopes that the teacher will like their child. I hope the teacher will treat him well. I hope she will respect the things we have tried to encourage and overlook some of his faults. I think every parent thinks their child is smart, but I really do and I hope she will challenge him even if others are slower. And if he is slower, I hope she will spend the time to help him. I know also as a parent, you have to be involved which is very hard for me. High school and the kids have been our lives for so long. Even Peyton feels like he belongs here. Now to try to figure all of that out so he has a nice and enriched time at Hamer will be hard for me. I was excited to see him enter the school that I made many great memories and some not so great memories at. I hope he loves it and that he will make friends and be nice and do the things we have taught him...like flushing and washing and not getting in people's space and listening when he is supposed to. He kind of learned a hard lesson after the first day. I looked through his papers and they were supposed to write A's and little a's. He did like three big A's and four or five little a's and then began doodling and not writing his name they way he should and as I was looking through his papers, I got mad and I made him sit down and re-do his school work. I erased his name, I erased his doodles and I told him he could do it right at school or re-do it at home. She had put a sticker on it indicating it was done, and he was a little mad at me, but I told him, he knew how to do it and he was going to do it right. We erased and re-did it and since that time, he has completed his work and written his name much better! Kids will do what you expect and no more.

He acted so big on the first day. You can see how he is posing...acting like a rock star. It was fun to go in with him. I told my principal I would be late on the first day so I could stay a while with him. It was kind of funny, but he just seemed so ready. We had a bit of a hard time (and are still having) getting him out of bed. He is not a morning person...just like his mom, but we got there and he found his desk. He had to check out all of his stuff to make sure what was there. Unfortunately and (I was not very happy about this, but found out why) we didn't get to buy school supplies for them, the school does it. And even though it was one of my most favorite things to do when school came around, I will deal with it for the years he is at Hamer. The teacher had some quiet work for them to do until all of the kids got there. He was too excited and just wanted to look around and do things and see the kids. But he did try.

As you can see he sits by a cute little girl that many of you will know as Kirk and Fawn Robbins little girl. He also share a four space with Brian his little friend and Kaylee Dalling who he went to pre-school with at Laurel's house...so he is very comfortable with most of the kids. There are 11 kids in his class. 7 of them are from Hamer and 4 come from Terreton.

I was so proud of him because he raised his hand and asked if he could go and say hi to one of his friends and the teacher told him no...which I didn't think was that big of deal...school hadn't started yet, but he did mind. He was so cute. He kept saying "You can go now, Mom" and I would say, "I just want to watch a little bit more"...but I left shortly after this. I had thought about not having him ride the bus home because I thought it would be easier to pick him up and round up his stuff, but when Granny got there, he convinced her he wanted to ride the bus...so that is just what he did. He got on Johnny's bus and rode home and has been doing it ever since!

For the most part he loves school. As I look at his schedule, and saw reading, math, reading, math, reading and then art, science, social studies, and music (only one for each day of the week and only 30 minutes long) I was a little sad because that is where he has the most fun. I wonder if maybe we aren't getting our priorities mixed up and need to refocus back into those areas, but I told my mom when I was talking with her that I guess that is where parents have to pick up what is not focused on and do it with them at home. So we will be doing more art, science, music, and social studies....The first day was a little bit hectic for me and very, very hot, but it started great and Peyton had a great day!

It Was In My Eyes!

So I thought our child was finished with the scissor excitement that he was in last year when he cut his pants, his hair, his toys...etc...I thought we had managed to avoid the drastic. But for some reason...after coming home from a cooking class Saturday, I was met at the door by my sick looking husband and my smiling little boy who looked like this! He had taken the scissors and cut his hair...that yes was a little long and that yes I had an appointment to get cut in one week ( I was holding out for school!). He said it was bugging him and that it was in his eyes. Imagine the sinking feeling seeing his hair cut up to his scalp. I can't figure out why when little kids cut their hair like this, they actually think it is okay and looks good and why they have to go clear up to the scalp right in the front where it is so noticeable! I wasn't really happy with him and I told him when I was taking a picture because I might laugh in a few years, but I was very mad at him...(okay not really...but I had to make a point! I used to do this stuff too!) So I desparatley called Raquel who switched his appointment and managed to fit him. She worked wonders, but it is still a little TOO short for me. He likes the spike and thinks he is really grown-up. I keep hoping that maybe it will grow a little bit before school. It looks like someone set a bowl on his head and cut. Someone actually thought we got his hair cut like this on purpose. We didn't. He did this and I guess next time when he tells us to cut his hair and it is bugging him. I will call immediatley! Ha!

Oh What Do You Do In the Summer Time?

As I contemplate going back to school and wondering where summer went, I can't help but feel like I didn't get all that I wanted to do accomplished. There were many projects and goals that I had this summer that kind of went by the wayside. However, this summer was very relaxing, fun, and provided a much needed break from my hectic life. This summer seemed to be one of learning for Peyton and a lot of fun for both Andy and I. We did many activities with him that seemed to be some major stepping stones. He just learned and did so many fun things. We can't wait to see what he has in store this coming year with school starting, piano lessons, and starting clogging with Patty. We are excited to see him do things and be excited for things. It is kind of sad and scary to send your child out into the "mean world". You hope he is ready and the world will be kind to him. You hope you have given him the skills he needs to make a successful start. This summer showed me how much fun it is to watch him grow.

This was from a rafting trip our whole family did at our cabin. I will be posting more of those pictures in another post, but I know that Peyton loved this trip. We all had a lot of fun.

One thing that Peyton really loved doing this whole summer was taking four wheeler rides. He actually can run one of these by himself and does pretty well driving. It is a little scary turning the reins over to a five year old, but he does it well.

T-ball was pretty miserable for me and for him I think. He had really fun and nice coaches and lots of little kids as you can see, but his mom wants him to learn right and he doesn't really want to do much. I had a hard time not wanting to yell at him the whole time to do it right while I watched him roll around on the ground or run the wrong way...etc... It was not too much fun for either of us, but he finished and hopefully next year, when he gets into some games and sports maybe start making a little more sense, it will be more enjoyable for both of us. He did love swimming lessons and really seemed to be at the right age for these. I would have loved to have him take longer, but driving into Idaho Falls every day stinks. I don't know how Andy does it. For some reason this was the highlight of the summer for him...swimming lessons and swimming in general. I think maybe we will try to do some more this year, since the Apple offers swimming all year. He learned a lot but still takes after his mom a little with regards to water in his face and nose and eyes...we both do not like this.
These two pictures are at one of the many cooking contests that Andy and I entered this year. So far we have won 500$ (we have two more we are participating in). My winning recipe has been on the cover of the Idaho Falls magazine, we have cooked and experimented with some yummy stuff and hope to continue doing well. We have really enjoyed these cooking competitions. This particular competition had singers as you can see Peyton is enjoying the guitar player and drummer, they had all you could eat ice cream, and we came away with some awards. Andy finally got a medal and two of my entries won prizes. I however fell from first place and had to settle for a second and a third! Peyton mastered the art of riding a bike this summer. I will admit it was harder than I thought to teach a kid to ride without training wheels. It was awful sending him riding and to watch him fall...time after time...but we stayed strong, took off the training wheels...did not cave and put them back on, nursed a few scrapes, overcome a few crying fits, and now he is doing awesome and is wearing his parents out to go on countless bike rides. He rode clear up to Debbie Ball's house and back with his dad last night after running around in the gym at the school for 2 hours. Oh, to bottle that kind of energy! He can stop and start by himself, he is starting to practice tricks and he has discovered a little bit of freedom that riding a bike provides. His mother worries a little but loves to watch him accomplishing things that are hard! We drug out our pool and as you can see from his face, he prefers a pool that is heated. This little guy gets cold really quickly and did not really enjoy the pool in the yard! But we did have a fun day of water fighting that day.
These next two pictures show a precious little girl who came and visited this summer. We are hoping that she will become a member of our home. We are trying to adopt her, but we don't know what will happen. As you can see it was a wonderful, stressful, learning, growing, amazing three days for us...we hope that she will join our home soon. Please pray for us if you need something to pray about! ha!

Peyts will be a great older brother, but there will be some adjusting on his part. This whole place has been his kingdom and he will have to share it. I believe though, just like this picture shows that he will great with her.

We of course took the traditional trip to Tautphus park, however, we didn't do the zoo. We got there a little late, so we just did the airplanes and miniature golf. Peyton didn't like either. He told the operater of the airplanes that he wanted to get out right now....and he got bored after one hole of golf. Needless to say, Andy and I wanted to play, but he just wanted to smack the ball around...it was a quick 18 holes. I must also say that we were very disappointed with the condition of the golf course and Tautphus park in general. It is looking old and run down. They could use some of the money they used in the skate park there to fix it up!

We also made our annual trip to Jackson...we usually do it in June around our anniversary, but we were busy then I guess???. We thought Peyton would like the wild west shoot out that I thought would be great, but was a little cheesy. However he loved it and even got a bullet from one of the "real cowboys" that he fired in the show. Of course then we had to visit the shops and we found a real cowboy belt that Peyton had to buy. He purchased it with his money he won from the parade....so I guess his mom didn't really have a say in that one.

For some reason when we go in stores, we love to try on funny hats and take pictures. This is just a tradition that Andy and I have done when we travel. I thought this was a pretty funny one.

Peyton wasn't too sure for a second if this thing was real or not! When he discovered it wasn't going to attack him, he thought it was pretty cool.

Of course, the traditional Jackson picture. We then went to the Playhouse which was featuring Grease. I love the Jackson Hole Playhouse because they just do such a great job acting and singing. We didn't know how Peyts would like it, but he loved it. He watched entranced the whole night. I missed the slow-motion fight scene and thought that it is getting more expensive each time we go, but I'm glad we got to fit this trip in....

So this is what we did in the summer time...with a few other things. I read a whole bunch and really got hooked into books about the Holocaust. I've never really been interested, but I read four this summer and really am intriguied...all from very different points of view, all fiction, but all based upon actual things that happened. I would love anymore suggestions of good books about this. I'm sad summer is ending. It has been for the most part a very peaceful, needed break. We have a lot of fun memories....