Birthday Celebration

I hit the big 30 this year. Ahhhh! Just a few weeks ago Cari and I were wondering if some college guys would try to flirt with us as we were leaving the post office in Thatcher, then caught our reflection in the glass as we were walking out the door and realized we were way past our prime. So sad!

My parents and sibs threw me a birthday party (Thanks Stacie for putting it all together!) down in the valley and we had a super duper time. We missed you, Kimberly! Jordynn watched all the kiddos while we went to dinner, stopped by my cousin Cameron's 30th birthday party, and then went to Steven's for a little more adult time before we headed home.

Stacie had us all gather around to enjoy the best movie ever - all about me! When we were growing up and would watch old movie reels I'd always complain because I was usually missing - most of them being made before my time. She wanted to end the suffering, so she spent hours editing a video of me throughout my life, mostly highlighting times and seasons that I'd rather nobody but family saw! She thought she was hilarious starting it off with a little monkey footage. It was a lot of fun. Thank you so much!

My birthday itself was a great day, too. Natalie took me to lunch (thanks Jake for babysitting!)and I had several birthday treats and wishes from friends. The kids decorated the house beautifully and made me cards. Eric was working that night, so me and the kids had some Nicos and picked up my free dozen at Crispy Cremes. Hooray for a new decade!

Schnepf Farms

I love pumpkin patches and fall festivals. Fall is definitely my favorite season. If only we could do with Halloween.... Anywho, my VT told me about a pumpkin patch in Queen Creek called Schnepf Farms. It sounded like a ton of fun to me, so we took the kids and played all afternoon.


On the hayride they let us off to look at a herd of deer they had. Ian LOVED them! If Isaac tried to move away, he would pull on the fence and force him back.

Cutest family on the hayride.

Halfway through our ride we got dropped off at the corn maze. We were lost, so Ian helped us find our way.

He was pretty proud of himself for getting us out.

The kids' highlights were the carnival rides. All of them were included in the admission price. Who needs Disneyland?

The ride they looked most forward to was the rollercoaster.

Even Ashlyn wanted to ride. She was excited right up until we were buckled in and then she started screaming. The man asked if we wanted off and I told him no. He looked at me like I was the worst parent in the world, but I decided she needed the experience. She was terrified the whole time. The boys loved it, though!

The airplanes were Carter's favorite. Isaac was too big to ride and Ashlyn was still traumatized by the rollercoaster, so he enjoyed this one all to himself.

My favorite was the swings. Eric opted to sit out with Ian and Ashlyn on this one. The swings always make him sick. I think it's in his head!

Eric has promised to build me one of these four person bikes. We'll see if he comes through!

Ashlyn had no fear of the goats. I was really surprised.

The boys really liked them, too. Eric tried to wrestle one of them and lost. Wish I had gotten that picture!

It was a very near perfect day. I'm so glad we went!

Apple Pickin'

Over Fall Break we went to Thatcher so that we could do some apple pickin' up on Mt. Graham at Angle's Orchard. Cari and her girls also came to join in on the fun. The day was perfect! The weather was beautiful, kids were happy, and we got lots of delicious apples!


Cindy introduced me to a new variety of apple called "Arkansas Black." Yummy! We had Dad working like a mule, picking us buckets full. Most of the ones left were high in the trees, so the job fell on him. He's great sport.

There are no ladders or anything available for us to use, so it's pretty much pick what you can reach. Lucky for the kids, they had my shoulders. Everyone needed a turn, but here are just a few of their pictures. Good times.

Showing off the prize!

Carter was pretty proud of the bridge he "built" to help us all across the stream.

Excellent work, Carter. Good thinking!

The kids all had their bags loaded....

...but there was always room for just a couple more. Every time I thought we'd finished, the kids would come walking out with another apple or two. All the apples were pretty hard to resist.

Even Ian loved them! He commadeered Nikki's prize apple and wouldn't give it back.

After we picked apples we went down a bit to Noon Creek and had a nice little hot dog roast. It was a great spot with shade for the adults and lots of rocks to climb on for the kids.

Even Ashlyn got adventurous and was all over the rocks.

I'm somewhat of a professional hotdog cooker...

....yet I still fail to compare to Dad's skills.

I love picnics in the mountains.

After the mountain, we went back to Thatcher for a few days. I don't know how Grandpa and Grandma handle all these nuts!

Cari's girls introduced Grandma to silly bands, so she went and bought a bunch so she could be in on the trading. The kids had a blast. Grandma has a special knack with her grandkids and they always feel important and special when she's around.

After Cari's family went home, Cindy helped me make a baby blanket for a friend of mine while Grandpa and Ian had some good bonding time. Ian helped Grandpa with his jobs and Grandpa helped Ian with his playing. They were a great team. Grandpa loves his grandbabies!

I took my box of apples home and made applesauce, dried apples, and apple butter. It's always so satisfying and they all turned out good. I especially loved the applesauce with those "Arkansas Blacks." Next year I may have to get two boxes!

Carter B-Day!

Carter turned six this year and he wanted to celebrate in style - camo style. It was his year to have a birthday party, so we had an army water party. We had boot camp, complete with drills, an obstacle course, a water balloon/squirt gun battle, etc.

We ended with target practice on our pinata.

They shot and shot, but it held strong and wouldn't rip. We finally had to take a stick to it. Whatever works, so long as they get the candy!

I had visions of a really awesome tank cake for Carter, but everything that could go wrong, did, so I trashed it and made cupcakes with an army man on top. The kids were just as happy and it was way easier.

Carter's birthday morning we went to Crispy Creme's first thing to get his free dozen donuts.

We opened a couple of presents that morning, but saved the rest for Dad that night. Grandpa and Grandma got him a Popular Mechanics for Kids DVD set. He loves those shows and we have watched them over and over and over again. At least it's educational, right?

Here are a few other random present opening pictures.

Ian was very helpful with the present opening.


We went to Monkey Business for dinner and played and played until we were all worn out then came home for some birthday cookie and bed. He seemed to like everything he got, especially his new scooter. I'm glad it was such a hit. He's a great kid and we love having him in our family. We love you, Carter. Happy Birthday!