Owen’s New Walker

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpccRKS2e-I[/youtube]

GO OWEN GO!

Happy Halloween

SnowMen Instead of ScareCrows

Yesterday we woke up to three inches of fresh snow. I was a little surprised and taken off guard by it. It’s always delightful to go play in the first snow fall, but I wasn’t ready I had to think about where the mittens, hats, scarfs, ect were. I’m still not ready. It getting out all the winter gear just adds to the chaos of our tiny space.  Alas, I gave up trying to manage the overflowing bin of hats and gloves and just go out and delight in the new freshies and make peace with the changing season.

Owen's first sleigh ride

He Likes It!!

Today our snow pack doubled and once again I wrangled with the hats and gloves. I stuffed my kids in their puffy clothes. Wrestled with those uncooperative mittens and boots. We went out and made delightful snowmen. A Momma and a Baby as per Ellie’s request. Owen seems to be interested in the snow and smiled when Ellie showed him a snowball yesterday. Today he wanted to get up close to it and made it down to his stomach where his nose could touch it. He laughed for a bit and then realized it was cold and the laugh turned to complaint. He tolerated it well for a 7 month old. I wouldn’t expect anything less from the decedent of a ski bum 🙂

Snowman Hugs

We had a morning visit with Mr. Moose too

The chickens are not so delighted, but they are surviving, typical for a bunch of fancy ladies

Field Trip

We joined Ellie’s preschool class on Friday for a field trip to Hee Haw Farms. We had a great time. I was happy to meet Ellie’s classmates and their Mom’s. She has a great class and her teacher Ms. Camee is so fun and friendly. The farm had a small petting zoo, hay and corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, corn box, swings, hay rides, and a gigantic slide. I wish I could have gotten a picture of Ellie on the slide she was so brave and wanted to go. She waited in line patiently and was ready to go when it was her turn. When I met her at the bottom one of the Mom’s said “I think that scared her”. Yep indeed it was faster and steeper then she expected and she was in shock. No tears just a little terrified. She would not go on the smaller slide and just wanted to stay on the ground by my side for a while. I told her she is a very brave little girl. We did every activity at the farm except the hay ride because by that time Owen was hungry and I had two very tired kids on my hands.  On the way home I asked Ellie what her favorite part was she exclaimed the ANIMALS!!

Ellie thought that the Piggy on the far left was the "Momma"

Hay Jump

Hay Maze

Ellie's preschool class

her new smile for the camera

(Leslie, She looks like McKenna in this picture!!! Does she not? I think I recall McKenna pulling that same face for you.)

The Maiden Voyage

A couple of months ago we made a big purchase. We found a little tent trailer in the classifieds. It was exactly what Gary and I had been looking for something simple with out too many bells and whistles. It’s been occupying space in our yard for some time now. We just kept stalling for various reasons, the weather, time, fears of sleepless nights, wild animals, you know the usual stuff. Do you recall last summers late season camp out? Anyway Gary and I finally pulled the trigger and packed up our gear and kids and took to the road. The goal was to make it down to the Burr Trail by Boulder Utah. We got a late start after checking our packing job then rechecking and checking again oh and then putting the chickens on lock down. So we made it as far as Sunglow Campground just outside of Bicknell Utah. It’s a great little spot not too far off the road with flush toilets and beautiful red rock walls. It lived up to its name as the sun set the red walls lit up.

Sunglow

We had a beautiful sunset

The night went well. After I had a “Oh no I forgot a bag of food” moment. Gary went to town to get the precious coffee. Then I found the said bag in the truck. Oooppsssyy! Once that was all settled and we had our dinner on the fire. Soon after Owen fell asleep then Ellie was tired enough to volunteer to go lay down in the trailer. We all slept well until there was some campground drama from other campers. A few explicit words were yell and some tires spun out and engines revved. Ellie managed to sleep through it Owen on the other hand woke up and then woke up again every hour or so after that. So not much sleep was had by Momma or Dad.

Owen's First Camping Trip

Ellie's first and a half camping trip

We woke up to a chilly morning with frost all around. It soon warmed up and we headed to our original destination. Gary and I really love Torrey, Boulder, Capitol Reef and every time we get down there we day dream about having a little ranch of our own. *sigh* The drive was beautiful and the Burr Trail did not disappoint although we only saw about 20 miles of it. We have grand plans of taking a bike/car trip with the kids next summer and exploring the whole 75 miles.

Burr Trail

Ellie called this an Elephant Rock as we drove by

Adah was scared to go to the edge even with Gary there

she is right it can be scary

this is how Ellie felt about the Burr Trail

this is what Ellie does when Owen cries

So we stopped for lunch at Deer Creek Campground. Yet another lovely spot for camping that we will have to save for later. It’s a little desert oasis with a stream running through and lovely Cotton Woods for shade. The kids loved it here there was sand to play in and much to explore.

Patty Cake

Owen kept scooping up handfuls of sand and trickleing it down his face. Better then eating it.

Sand Angel

I loved this old Camper Bus some hippie fixed up. They weren't around or I might have asked for a tour

Alas, after lunch our trip was over and we reluctantly had to make the drive home. Wishing all the way we had one more day. We will be back there again soon. There is just something about those red rocks and dessert air…

Are We Ready for this?

You all remember Ellie’s stream of consciousness about how much she wanted to go to school a while back right? Well, today her dreams came true and she set foot on a new independent path. She is now in Preschool. Like a big girl. With a “pack pack”. Unfortunately her bus is a black VW jetta for the time being, but she is ok with that.  She crawled into bed with me this morning and said “Mommy I so excited for school today!” When we got there and met her teacher I could tell she was ready, ready to dive in and make friends and poor her heart into the activities. Me on the other hand I was stalling, wanting to hold her hand, awkwardly hesitating as all the kids arrived.

Owen and I eventually left and wandered around Heber until it was time to get Ellie. It was nice shopping with one kid again, being able to concentrate, take my time, and not have to say no every three seconds, but I found myself feeling a little lonely I didn’t have my “wee one” with me chatting and singing along.  Owen was good company and made things easy for me and I am actually very excited to get this one on one time with him where he can have all my attention.

Time passed soon enough and she came running out the door back into my arms and let me know with out words she missed me a little bit. She was full of all kinds of new information about the letter D and the “ddduhh duhh” sound it makes.  On the drive home she let me know she was tired. She said “Can I take a nap, in my room, where Owen wont disturb me?”  Very rarely does she make a request like this. So that’s where she is now in her bed with out any disturbances dreaming about school, her teacher, friends, and possibly the letter D…