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'Tis the season for non-stop, non-stopping.

This morning was my company's traditional family movie day. They open the theater before the public open time, allowing CH2MHill employees and their families to have the theater to ourselves. The company also springs for a drink and popcorn for everyone who goes. This year I took 5 of the kids (Ceana decided to stay home) to see "Arthur Christmas." It was a fun show; probably one I'll have to watch again to catch more of the jokes, understand more of the British accents, and I'd just enjoy it again. Probably something to add to the Netflix queue. :+)

I had every intention of working from home this afternoon, but as usual, other, more pressing things conspired against me.

We did get a short visit by the Relief Society President bearing leftovers from last night's ward party. Someone was thinking ahead and used containers that could go straight into the freezer. Also got a visit from one of our nurse friends who spent some time with all the kids as well as Rory. We got her iPhone set up to view and edit our public calendar which led her to exclaim, "I'm so excited!" Most normal people might not have that reaction to gaining access to a calendar whose sole purpose is to communicate service needs ... thank you J!

A long-time family friend brought a huge pan of her famous, authentic Spanish lasagna (at least we think it's authentic ... sure doesn't taste like anything from a box!). Too bad Ceana had already left for the dance, because her best friend from all the way back in Kindergarten was helping deliver the food. Fun to watch the kids grow up; they change so much, but still retain some of what I remember from their "little kid" stage.

The evening was capped off with me having a date! Ceana has been involved in the planning and decorations for tonight's Winter Ball, and Rory agreed to let me take her over to the dance floor a bit early to be able to see the decorations and take some pictures:

They had set up a movie projector where "It's A Wonderful Life" will be playing (without sound), had an old-time popcorn machine, were offering to take couples photos, and more. Basically, lots of things for the kids to do who didn't want to dance, but everything was right there in the gym so they could stay together. Some of the leaders came in "theme costumes" from the 30's and 40's, including one brother in a sailor uniform. The kids are going to have a blast!

Rory decided we should test out the photo spot and asked someone to take our picture. She got uber-brave and had photos taken without her head scarf, but she did mention she wanted to think things over before publishing those. 

On the way home we picked up the mail and found a stack of letters from my sister who is in England. The kids will have a blast opening up cards from Aunt C. on Christmas morning. The ORCA Parent Association board members also sent a thoughtful letter and some gift certificates to kid-friendly food places like Papa Murphy's, Subway and Roth's. Every day we are overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of people on our behalf.

While that 1-hour outing was good for Rory on many levels, she was really worn out by the time we got home. Hope maybe she sleeps better tonight because of it!

Still hanging in there ...

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH

This weekend we got the chance to go on a family outing to one of our favorite places - Setniker Pumpkin Patch! We have missed going the last couple of years since they moved, it was worth the wait!
We got a little more adventure than we bargained for though. As we were driving I made a comment that the sky to the East of us looked great, but the sky to the West looked like it was going to explode within minutes - little did I know how right I would be.
As we got out of the van in the parking lot of the barn, it started to rain, and then within seconds it was torrential - the whole sky just opened up and let down HUGE raindrops. We just grabbed things and ran - including the 4 umbrellas we had brought "just in case" - we never even got the chance to get them open!
Shortly after we arrived we tried to shake off the rain, and dry everyone as best as we could (never knew a person could get SO wet in such a little bit of time)We were in for MORE adventure - LOUD, rumbling thunder and lightning! We were thankful for the covering of the barn and large shed overhang. We just dont usually get weather like that in the valley, but it is becoming more common. We just hung out and played in the barn, and of course took tons of picts (also see more on my photo blog)while we were waiting for the rain to slack off (which it didnt do for a very long time)
We all had a really great time, and it was so nice to just have time as a family - that time just doesnt come as often as we would like. We are looking forward to going back to Setniker Farm again in December - they are going to have the barn open for more play and fun AND have real Christmas trees available this year. We havent had a real tree since the first Christmas after we got married. It should make for another wonderful family day to look forward to!

Preston decided to steal the camera and take picts of me which I profusely objected to. Lucky for him, one kind of turned out. All is fair in love and photography though, so I had to post the great one I got of him coming down and out the bottom of the huge slide inside the barn

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH I

Since most of these are horizontal I am going to go ahead and leave them small - otherwise they will get cut off on the one side....still trying to get that figured out...
BOYS! Need I say more?

This is so fun of the girls. I had to keep sneaking in and tickling Kels to get her to laugh and then jump back to try to catch the pict before she stopped...the work I go through to get cute picts sometimes!

I had a couple of previous photo clients also come to the pumpkin patch while we were there, and one of them was nice enough to take our pict so we could all be in one together

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH II

The kids had a great time on the hay ride. Ky & Kels esp liked the monster tractor they had pull the trailer through all the rain and mud
We discovered this awesome puddle at the bottom of the huge hay bales tower. The bales were so tall the kids could get a good flying leap off of it right into the puddle. The kids got some great splashes going on (see my photo blog of Kels/Colton) The kids were all thoroughly soaked and filthy by the time we left, but they loved every minute of just being able to PLAY!

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH III

This is our little mud rat. She loved that puddle and threw a major hissy fit when it was time to go. She played and splashed and got totally soaked, and loved every minute of it!
The rain finally decided to let up for a bit by the time we went out to the field. I was able to get some great picts of the kids, without having to worry about the camera staying safe.

The safest place for Kels out in the field was in the wheelbarrow. She thought it was great fun and we knew where she was!

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH IV

It took 2 wheelbarrows AND a wagon to transport kiddos and prized pumpkins back to the barn to be weighed. Our largest pumpkin this year was 16lbs. Our family rule is that you have to be able to carry it to take it home. Our pumpkins ranged from very large to itty bitty (ky & Kels) FHE this week will find us fulfilling another family tradition - painting and drawing on pumpkins vs carving them. It gives a great outlet for the kids' creativity and is ALOT less mess...

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH V

Ahh, so many pumpkins, so little time....

OR STATE FAIR

"Our state fair is a great state fair, dont miss it, dont even be late! From dollars to doughnuts its the best state fair in our state!" - This is what the kids sang all the way to the fair last week.

Preston's unit was participating in a special 150 state anniversary concert at the fair (see Preston's concert post) and we had been given tickets (THANX TASHA!) to be able to enjoy some time at the fair before the concert. Clowning around, enjoying rides and wolfing down fair food (corndogs and fries) was time well spent. We also got the extra treat of doing these things with our good friends from the unit. They live in WA. so the only time we usually get to spend together in on AT every year. The kids really enjoyed the extra time to spend together.

When we got there the kids wanted to try some of the rides. I hadnt planned on $ for rides (knowing how expensive it usually is) Kaeli graciously offered to spend some of her savings so everyone could go on one ride. The little boys were thrilled and all the big kids were glad to get to do something extra fun together.

Caiden decided to try the swings with our friend's big kiddos. He was really excited at first (as you can see) but his face changed after the ride got going. One of Kaeli's comments was she thought he was going to be sick....He managed to get through the ride though and came off ok, though a little wobbly. It was great that he tried something new!
The lighting was perfect for sillouette picts. I was so excited to get some fun ones. This is my favorite. I just love the way the angles draw your eyes and that the swings stand out so clear against the sky

Kaeli and Ceana chose to go on a ride called "Starship 2000" - essentially a HUGE spaceship ride that works on the concept of centripetal force - picture what water does in a bucket when you swing the bucket around - the girls were laying against tall bed boards on the walls - as the spin got faster the boards would literally slide up the wall, pushing them back against the boards and sliding them as outward as possible. It would be way too much spinning for me, but the girls loved it - as is obvious by their faces!

OR STATE FAIR II

Colton's choice of "rides" was going on the huge gunny sack slide. He had quite the time choosing - he would say "slide" and then choose something else, and then say slide again. After hearing "slide" several times in his list that is what he finally decided on. You can tell from his face that he was very happy with his choice! (kind of dark since I wanted to post, but just have not had any time to edit)

Ky chose to ride on the carousel. It was painted in very bright colors, which seemed to really stand out against the overcast sky. It is always fun to play with light and angles and stuff - so this was my add.

Ky loved going on the "horsies" and he was also fascinated with everything going on around the carousel. I finally got him to look at me (and kind of smile) the very last time around. Such a silly boy, glad he had fun though

OR STATE FAIR III

While at the fair we were just in time for a hilarious clown show called "Jest In Time" They did all sorts of tricks - juggling, music, trained dog, etc. We were surprised and thrilled when they were looking for a LITTLE volunteer and Ky was chosen to help! He had the crowd busting with laughter because he is just so stinkin' cute. I wish we would have had a video camera with us, would love to have that show on film! Here are some highlights from the show:

Ky's job was to help the clown man build a tower of square paper boxes. He needed a "work hat" - which obviously was WAY too big - and got big laughs
Ky was helping to stack the boxes and stacked one with the flap side up vs the flat side up. The clown asked him to pick it up - Ky thought he said KICK it - so he did -which brought a big response from the clown "I need you to pick it up, not kick it" he said laughingly - which brought huge laughs from the crowd too - esp since after that Ky tried to walk away thinking his job was done.
Towards the end of the show the girl clown asked Ky to stand next to her - just out of the blue he looked out at the crowd and said "CHEESE!" - which as you can see from the pict (sorry it is blurry) took her completely off guard! The whole audience was roaring by then - which is why the pict is blurry - I was laughing so hard I could hardly hold the camera!

I love the angle of this pict because it really captures the feel of all those boxes stacked on top of each other, Ky's awe of watching them, and the crowd's response (gasps and AAAHH's) thinking that each time the clown tipped the stack that they were going to fall right on top of Ky.

The whole show was really a lot of fun, and having Ky be a "star" for the day was an extra treat for all of us! Way to go Bubby!

OR STATE FAIR IV

After Ky had been in the show I for sure wanted to get his pict with the clowns. Ky was more than happy to give me his best smile since he had so much fun!
After the show they had clown noses for sale for the kids - they were pretty cheap, so we bought one for each of the kids. Colton wanted his pict too.

The fair was amazing at night. The sky was clear, the weather was warm, and the lights were amazing. This is my favorite from the night picts. I just loved the angle I was able to get.

Ky was pretty hilarious. He crashed about 1/2 way through the concert (which lasted 3 HOURS) He stayed totally zonked when we moved him from Kaeli's lap to the stroller, and stayed totally zonked from the stroller to the car, and stayed totally zonked from the car to the couch (which is as far as we got him) He never moved a muscle and I had to keep checking him to make sure he was ok. Oh, to sleep deeply like that! He was the ONE of us that was up with the sun (at 5am) the next morning - he had all his sleep (the rest of us got to bed after midnight) and he was up and ready to PLAY. I woke up to him opening and closing the blinds in the bay window....and saying "mommy I wake!"

4TH OF JULY FUN!

I tried to get a shot of our whole group. You can't tell from here, but our group that represented 4 families (jeffries, eastwoods, baxters) took up quite a bit of space - we would have spanned the entire road! I loved this pict because I caught Kels in the corner contentedly watching the parade. I was surprised she did so well with all the sirens blaring, but she never made a sound and just seemed to take it all in as no big deal.
Ky, on the other hand, really had a hard time with all the noise - esp the sirens. All he did before the parade started was to repeat over and over "we will see cars, horsies, animals and firetrucks!" He is my cars/trucks/train kiddos, but I dont think he realized that real ones would be so loud. This is a classic pict of what he did most of the beginning of the parade - hold his hands over his ears and scowl at whoever was trying to help him calm down from all of his screaming. The noise really freaked him out and it was a good long while before he calmed down enough to enjoy the rest of the parade.

This one is for Ceana. She would have really loved all the horses and riders in the parade. The colors this year were very striking and it was amazing to see how many cavalry/posse groups we have in the county.

Eventually Ky did settle down and enjoy the rest of the parade. He was VERY excited when he saw the car with Ronald McDonald in it, and even more thrilled when he waved and RM waved back and pointed to him and the all the kids with us. He just thought that was great fun, and it was good for me to see that he had calmed down enough to enjoy his time sitting with his friends and watching all the fun.

4TH OF JULY FUN II

One of the floats had to do with upholding and showing we still believe in the "10 commandments" - the guys from the float were handing out "$100,000,000" dollar bills to show that the commandments are worth more than $. The kids thought they were handing out REAL $ and you should have seen their eyes popping out! The big boys started thinking about all the things they could buy with that much. Not sure anyone explained things to them on the other side of the group, but it was hard to try to explain to the little boys that it wasnt real but that they could use it with the toys in the playroom. Even though I think Colton finally understood that it was pretend $ he had fun showing it off anyway.
This one is for Ceana. She has always been my horse girl - and she would have loved seeing these up close - here ya go missy! There are lots more shots of these if you want them too!

This one is also for Ceana. This is her best friend since Kindergarten, Ana, who happened to be walking in the parade with the float her sisters were on. She stopped and let me take her pict. I know the girls are both sad that they wont see each other for the whole summer, but hopefully this pict will help Ceana know that she is being thought of - by us and Ana.

Kels had a blast playing with the pretend $. She just kept holding it and switching hands and showing it to me. I loved this one best because it shows her playing, but also shows off her cute little toes!