Traditions

I love traditions. Some are ever-changing, and some are stuck like glue. Black Island Farm is a keeper, and has been a place of many fun memories for our family over the years. The other night was our annual rendezvous with Nic's family for some pumpkin-filled, hay-ridin', slippery-slidin', pig-racin', corn-tossin', donut eatin' good times...

It is so fun to see how our family has evolved. This year all of the kiddos were mobile, and everywhere! We had a heck of a time keeping track of them all:)

Ry-bug doin' a little slidin'~

Alie Jo and Ry-bug, some swinging action~

sweet Wyatt, love this boy...

Kade had a birthday party for his buddy Jarron at the farm, so we met him there and this is what we found. I've said it once, and I'll say it again~ I adore this group of boys. They are the best, and I am so grateful that Kade has them:)

Parker lovin' up on Bode~ these two are obsessed with Toy Story at the moment, and it is pretty much all they talk about. "To finity and beyon!" over and over, it melts my heart.

Boys being boys~ I promise it wasn't that long ago that Kade and Kole were the infamous Buzz and Woody in action. Ah, where does the time go?

Somethin' about a big sandbox full of corn kernels that just makes me feel like a kid again. Oh, how i love the fall...

It makes my heart happy to see my kiddos beaming with joy as they run and play with their cousins, footloose and fancy free. Nothin' better I tell ya.

Thanks to Gramy and Papa for yet another fun adventure~ you guys are the best!

Today is Halloween~

Jack-o-lanterns are in place, candy bowl is full, costumes are ready, and kiddos are out of school! It is going to be a good day, i can feel it!

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

~xo

Parke's first fieldtrip ~

It has been five years and counting, that at least one or more of my children have had a field trip to the local farm for some pumpkin picking good times. I don't know what it is about sitting on that hay-ride, taking in the crisp fall air, and admiring the unbelievable beauty around me, but I look forward to it every year.

Hmm... some serious deliberation over which pumpkin to pick:)

Rylie and her bestest gal~pals from the hood. These girls are inseparable, we are so blessed to have such great neighbors.

Parke was having no part in that girl business, i can't blame him. He is a man's~man:)

Some bull-riding, and hay-picking~

And we can't forget the baby animals~ always a huge hit with the kiddos. This little goat was a hungry fella...

I would have to say that Parker's first field trip was a great success. I just wish i could pause him right where he is, although it's mighty fun to watch him grow. His latest terminology includes: 'actually'~ "i 'actually' don't want dat."

'besides'~ 'besides,' dose are mine." Can you tell he's 3? ha!

'poos-paste' (toothpaste)~ "Mom, dis poos-paste doesn't taste bery good"

"Here Mom, I got some 'ocean' (lotion) fer you." adorable.

"Ya! Wet's go to the 'cone' place!" referring to Sill's Cafe where we get some amazing scones~ ha!

He loves to watch 'spicle me'...translation: Despicable Me.

He entertains us with tall tales like, "Last night, a fish ate me, and i was dead!" Many different variations of this story, and always ending with 'and i was dead.' True boy.

'Stoy Story' (Toy Story)~ he is totally obsessed. "Mom, you be Woody, and I will be Buzz." This can go on for hours, and i love it.

He loves to ride his tricycle, read books, snuggle his mom and dad, go to preschool, make new friends, destroy everything in sight!, eat sugar(and man does he ever!), sleep in his special bed in our room, and just be plain awesome.

Love this baby boy more than anything. He keeps life interesting, and happy.

So grateful for his sweet spirit in our home.

~xo

Enchanted Woods~

Every year since Kade was just a beansie guy, we have attended the 'Enchanted Woods' at the Treehouse Museum. It is a fun tradition with my family that the kiddos look forward to every year. Thanks Mimi & Papa for this fun memory.

Kids come decked in their Halloween best to wander from station to station in hopes of a good story, and a treat...

Parker got side-tracked with the fishy's, and 'dude crush' on the right:)

Mimi & Papa~ sure love these two.

Kade as Boba Fett (from Star Wars), and Parke as Buzz Lightyear~ they are both obsessed, and it is pretty fantastic.

Sweet Halli and Dax...

the fam~

Gracie~girl and Ry~bug... Ry is a ballerina-fairy-princess, if you couldn't tell;)

Papa walking a couple of cutie's to dinner~

Austy and Kade~

Such a great time. I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that it is October. The end of October, nonetheless, and we are about to Trick-or-Treat! Where does time go??

In other news: We are nursing an injured doggy. Our sweet Koda was hit by a car the other night, on my watch... I was traumatized. But he is alive, and on the mend.

Been giving myself secret pep-talks, looking at the bright side, and counting blessings. I feel that life hands you times like these to learn something, grow stronger, and move forward in a positive direction.

Today is Saturday. We are heading to the farmer's market...

just a couple weeks of fresh produce left~ tear.

Hope you all have a beautiful weekend.

~xo

Ah, football season~

Football season has come and gone. Kaden played flag football with his buddies once again, and had a great season. He was an animal, pulling flags, and even scored a touch down~ yay Kade! It was fun seeing him come out of his shell, and actually enjoying the game.

This picture is sweet to me...

He had some great coaches this year, who taught him so much, and made it a great experience for him...

Those warm nights at the park were a fun family affair~

Love this sissy~

My sweet baby boy in his beloved camo boots~

As always, our sweet family was in full support.

Won't be long before we are watching Krew out there pullin' flags:)

Atta boy Kade!

Some 'man' talk after the game~ i just gave him a big old smooch, isn't that what momma's are supposed to do? I am new to this sports business:)

Kade and his amazing grandparent's~ what a lucky guy.

Way to go Kade! Such a great season, buddy.

You make us so proud, and we couldn't love you more.

~xo

Feelin' Squirrely~

With all of the wonderful produce popping up everywhere, I have been in the kitchen. Canning, dehydrating, baking, freezing, and storing everything in sight! So much work!~ but oh, so worth it. It all started with a trip to the farm, the kiddos and I spent an afternoon picking tomatoes. It was good times~ I wish I had pictures of how beautiful it was out there. We found some awesome peppers at the farmer's market, and I got to work on tomatoes and salsa.

As you can see, the house pretty much explodes when the canning begins:) I have a tendency to put my irons in way too many fires. Notice my bags of clothes from cleaning out kiddos closet's~ part of my fall cleaning. Doesn't it look clean?? Ha ha! It's the mess before the organization, always happens that way~ doesn't it?

Then came time for peaches~ can I tell you how much I heart fresh peaches. Words can not describe. I look forward to my bushel and a half every year:)

Look at this picture. Notice anything... unuuusual??

I had my jars sitting in warm water while they waited to be processed, and I looked back to see Parke just chillin' out. The boy is just plain awesome.

Aren't they pretty? And my favorite~ fresh peach pie.

And if you are going to make one, why not make a dozen? Poor Nic didn't even get a lick! His bad, he was out hunting wild beasts. Teasing. More like innocent deer, luckily he came home empty handed:) We might need just one more round of the peach pie...

Oh! This is so exciting~ my friend Meg and I are making our own extracts. Vanilla and peppermint. Aren't they pretty in their jars?

When Nic was off hunting, I tore into our storage room. What is it about fall that makes me feel the need to start hoarding food like a little squirrel? I cleaned, and organized that puppy! Then I headed to Home Depot, lugged that big daddy shelf home, and assembled it~ all.by.myself. I was feelin' pretty proud:) And I'm pretty sure my muscles are a little bit bigger, ha! Teasing:) Still have a ways to go on the storage, but it's a good start.

And just because it's friday~

Never a dull moment around our house with this guy around. Thank goodness his real Buzz Lightyear costume came, so he doesn't have to squeeze his cute cheeks into this teddy bear version anymore:) Can't believe Halloween is right around the corner.

Headed to Thriller tonight with the girls~ can't wait!

Happy Friday!

~xo