Vala's Pumpkin Patch 2010

After driving past Vala's countless times, it was finally time to turn. Laurie and I took the kids. Max stayed home with Darren. The kids were happy Max was not going so he wouldn't slow them down. They know that everything involving Max takes time!

We hit the train and jumping pillow first and then jumped in the giant corn box for a long time. Will wanted to bury himself in the corn and Jack wanted to throw it. There was a big sign I forgot to get a picture of warning those with allergies to stay out. Jack quickly told me that he was not allergic to corn. Not literally but kind of I was thinking to myself.

We went to the corn maze, lost Noah and then found Noah, slid down the giant slide a few times and went through the haunted house. Even Hannah braved the haunted house this year. I was impressed. We forced the boys to walk through Storybook Farm so the girls could see the princess' and took our annual "big chair" photo. Looking back at last year, all of the kids could fit in the big chair sitting down so nice. This year as they get bigger, they had to get more creative!

We brought our lunch to eat, watched the green dragon smash pumpkins, rode family bikes and regular bikes, took pictures with witches, took forced pictures by pumpkins and mums and ate kettle corn.

As everyone began to get tired we watched a puppet show, took our annual trip to the "Sweet Shop" to pick out a treat and played in the corn again. We bought Darren a carmel apple, came home and Max was glad to see everyone! Another fun trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

Go Gretna White!

I took this picture of Jack's football picture since I was too lazy to scan it. Therefore, you have the glare spot.

Jack is #88

Go 88!

Jack played his 1st year of tackle football this year and as the season started to progress, we think Jack liked it more and more. It was a lot of listening, remembering, hustling and focusing, all of which Jack needed practice on so we feel it was good for him. He had great coaches that were always focusing on the positive and never once did we hear them yell from the sidelines. It was great that he did not have any good friends on his team so he was forced to meet new kids and to slowly creep out of his comfort zone.

Jack has a great team that only lost 1 game, their 1st one. Because of that loss, they did not make it to the play-offs but they had a great season. They play in the "Friendship Bowl" this weekend and will have a pizza party sometime soon to celebrate the season. We are proud of how Jack stuck with it and was always excited for his team!

What is your Talent?

Hannah was coloring today while I was cleaning up the kitchen and she said "mom, I have talents and one of my best ones is coloring. " She went on to say "Jack's talent is playing his Ipod, Will's talent is watching TV, Max's talent is loving his puppy, and dad's talent is watching TV in the basement. I then asked her what my talent is and without hesitation, she said my best talent was "loving her". I often wonder if the kids know how much I love them or that I would do anything for them. Today was a great day!

Will is 6!

Will at his friend party

The hayrack ride

Spiderman pinata

Cupcakes for Will's friends

Ready to paint pumpkins

Pumpkins to take home

Will blowing out the candles!

Max is not enjoying Will's new 4-wheeler

Will on his new 4-wheeler

Will's new 4-wheeler

Will opening up family gifts

The cake will made at school and the hat he wore all day

Will turned 6 on October 1st and he was so excited. He had been counting down for weeks. He wanted a Superhero party with a Spiderman cake. We had his family party on Friday night and his Kindergarten friends over on Saturday night. I thought planning them back-to-back was a good idea at the time, but it sure was a lot of work in a 24-hour period!

17 of Will's closest friends (his whole class) came. I was thinking that half would show up but almost all of them did. It was quite the handful for Darren and I. Thank goodness Laurie and both grandma's agreed to help with Jack, Hannah and Max. It definitely made the whole day much easier.

The kids painted pumpkins, had a hayrack ride, played pumpkin darts, ate and hit the Spiderman pinata. Although they had fun doing everything we had planned, I think just letting them jump on the trampoline the whole time would have been fine too!