Pumpkins for everyone!

Last night for Family Night we had great adventure. William said it was one of our best. We were invited to a private 400 acre farm full of pumpkins and animals. The kids could not believe how many pumpkins there were - William estimated over 600 but James said ten thousand. There were pumpkins for everyone, fat ones, tall ones, small ones, round ones, oblong shaped, white and green ones, and there was even one shaped like a jelly fish. We picked one for everyone.
After the picking the kids piled in the back of Becca's truck and headed off to the buffalo pasture. We don't know how many buffalos there were but there was enough to completely surrond our cars. We smashed some pumpkins on the ground and the animals enjoyed eating the guts and shells. I don't know what was more fun watching the bison eat or smashing the pumkins. James said - smashing pumpkins. We completed the evening with a little camp fire and lots of yummy treats. The kids were fast asleep as soon as we pulled on to I-15 and headed home.

Just a few more pics - enjoy

Homeschoolers don't stay home

Here's how we kicked off our school year.
p.s. did you notice all the tie dyes....

Deep Thoughts by Peter, age three

Here are a few of the recent funny ones....

"Mommy, when I get bigger will my voice change"?

"Mommy, I don't ever want to see a person get buried.... why can't they just bury the heart and brain and save the body"?

"Clara, why don't you like George Bush? he's the president"

"Mommy, how close is Baghdad? is it closer or farther from Yellowstone?"

"Mommy, when I get older after I'm an elephant dentist I'm going to be a a really strong wrestler and then when i get really strong and tough I want to be a Michigan football player because they really need our help"

"One touch with nature and the whole world is kin"

This Shakespeare quote was carved on a bench in a grove of trees at Redwood National Forest. I guess you could also state "One touch with nature and a family crammed in a mini van for miles on end still love each other and even more". We could not get enough National Parks! What started out as a day trip to Yellowstone and a weekend in Spokane visiting family turned into a great adventure of the pacific northwest. From mountains of Washington, Oregon coast, and northern California we were smitten by rustic log cabins, fragrant sea air and crashing waves, geothermal activity, sand dunes, scenic views, towering redwoods, and stars so bright you could practically grab them. I don't think my kids will ever have to experience Disneyland after this trip - it would be far too disappointing. What a joy it was to spend time together as a family connecting with something so real - nature.

Super DAD!!!!

Here's Paul carrying more than his share of the weight hiking around Redwood National Forest. He attracted just as much attention as the magestic trees themselves as several other hikers stopped to chat and chuckle about the commical site. We figured there was about 85 lbs. of additional weight hanging on him. That made Paul stop and think a moment how it great it would feel to shed a few of his own extra pounds. Paul sure loves our children though and is willing to work and sweat a little harder for them. Not only did he carry at least two kids on all of our hikes, Paul drove the entire 3,200 mile tour of the pacific northwest listening to the chronicles of Narnia, Wrinkle in Time, and Paddington Bear. Thanks Paul!

To Dye For!

The boys are all around hovering over this message and a bit nervous because they are taking the title very literally. Well these clothing items aren't really to die for but maybe worth losing a little bit of sleep for. We became quite obsessed and completed over a 100 items for family and friends. It is a messy task so most of the work was done after hours between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am so that no babies or toddlers would disrupt the process and then completely dye themselves and whatever they came into contact with as well. It felt like Christmas every time we opened and rinsed a new article of clothing......oh the joy of vibrant colors! If your life is feeling dull just slip on a tie dye t-shirt and awaken to a happy and carefree world. James has requested to do this again next spring. I don't know if I can wait that long. I think we may try batik in the meantime. FYI - I got the inspiration from Dharmingtradingco.com