Exploring Our Own Backyard

Although the air was a tad brisk, we decided to do a little exploring of the 40 acres we call home.  It was pretty surreal the large trees we found just steps away.  Perfect for climbing, examining and building fairy houses. 

Dusting to Dismissal

For several days, the PNW heard threats of snow.  This did not pan out until we got a nice dusting on top of some freezing rain.  Schools cancelled!  Both kids were thrilled with the light snow despite there was not enough for sledding or packing a snowman.  Mom enjoyed bundling everyone up to go out side for 10 minutes and repeat about every hour. 

Extra bonus was a lovely trip over the mountains (with more snow) to spend the night at Grandma's!

Pancakes and Ho Ho Ho's!

It was the annual Christmas celebration in town last weekend.  We visited Santa at a historic farm, ate pancakes, and then visited local retailers to obtain fun stamps and support business.  The day ended up a tree lighting, Santa arriving by Rolls Royce, and beautiful horses giving wagon rides.  It was a pretty much perfect beginning to the holiday season!

This one might be a bit prickly

In true northwest style, our trip to the tree farm was muddy and wet.  Kyle selected a fine Blue Spruce this year which makes the house smell like pure Christmas but was a bit prickly for hanging ornaments.  Luckily two little helpers all about it...and might be why our tree is a little bottom heavy.

Gingerbread, Gumdrops, and Candy Canes

It's no surprise Jack and Kyle have been filled with excitement the minute Thanksgiving passed.  The idea of Santa, cookies, and presents is a bit too much.  The fact Thanksgiving is a bit earlier this year has only heightened their anticipation. 

 

Luckily we were able to partake in some kids' crafts on Local Business Saturday along with filling a few items on our shopping list.  We ended up with a tote filled with candy cane cookies, gingerbread houses, sock snowman, and ornaments made with care.

It may rain but the fun does not stop

While Kyle and mommy trekked the near mile to the mailbox, Jack got out his shovels to assist with kennel building.  Wins for everyone!

Making it her own

When you got new unicorn pajamas for pajama day at school, you might as well add a new hair style....and your favorite puppy.

And Now We Climb

I'm starting to think these kids go from one apparatus to another.  After a lovely Veteran's Day Pancake Breakfast, where Kyle was interviewed for the local paper, we hit the playground on an unusual pleasant November day.  After times of watching from afar, Jack was ready to climb the ladder rope and climb he did.  The only struggle might have been getting down.

Hanging Around

For everything her mom is not, Kyle is working on her gymnastic skills.  She has conquered the monkey bars and moving on to bigger things.  Handstands are on the brink.  Perhaps it will not be long until she is conquering the cartwheel her mother was never able to do.  However, given the two calls from school the past couple weeks with potential falls on the bars leading to head report, she may have some work in her future.

As for Jack, he is just thrilled that gymnastics means more fun at the playground.

This is the Worst Day Ever

Life is probably pretty good if Halloween is your worst day ever! Although things can be pretty drastic when you don't get to finish a box of nerds. These two trick and treated til the dropped. Chief Jack of the Carnation Fire Department was thrilled to see a fire truck, and our Under the Sea Fairy dazzled all.

Bonus to Jack for taking home Best Hero award in our first Carnation costume parade.

The Storm that Wasn't

This past weekend, everyone was bracing for a storm that was to cut off power and down trees like we have not seen in over a decade. Well, that storm amounted to nothing more than a lot and even more rain.  Given the pending doom, we spent quite a bit of time at home this weekend.  However, when it was clear the weather had passed, the kids and I travelled out in the STILL RAINING to visit a nearby farm for their weekend festival. 

This farm is not your typical pumpkin patch as it only opens its doors for the one weekend, but rather got its name for branding a now well-known evaporated milk.  It had run as a camp for the past years, but is now looking to become a touchstone farming pillar of the community. 

Their fall festival was amazing.  There were balloon animals, real animals, rayrides, paper airplanes, smores, crafts, and lots of water.  Jack stayed busy with every puddle in sight including a massive one that the farm turned into s small pool with rubber duckies and a home-made shark.  Kyle made crafts to her great contentment, and we all enjoyed ourselves.

Fall is full of Festival

This is my favorite season here in the PNW.  The weather is crisp with large leaves and a touch of wind in the area.  Apple cider is brewing, and pumpkins are prime for the picking.  We have made sure to hit a few new patches plus some old favorites these past couple weeks...with more fun yet to come!

You Got a Friend

Turning around to see this impromptu moment melts a mommy's heart.  There is little doubt these two adore each other.

Jumping into Fall with Busy Days

With the change in the weather and work trips, it seems this blog has been neglected.  That does not mean we have not been filling our weekends with extreme fun.  A little while back, Maggie came to visit for a half marathon run, so we threw in a trip to the local amusement spot.  A rain-soaked morning turned into a cloudy day but was absolutely perfect for us.  No lines, plenty of space, and massive mud puddles were a huge hit.  Even Maggie had a grand time!

Even better, it was a cool, brisk day for our 13.1 miles without a drizzle.