Como Zoo 2012

The weekend we spent at Jim and Denise's we spent Saturday afternoon at Como Zoo. 

In the picture above we have Jared, Zach, Gracie, and Rochelle.

Trying to see the sea lions.

Zachy with his birthday button. He wore this button all week!

Cute Jared.

The big grizzly bears.

The tall giraffes.

Jared taking a break from the stoller. No nap today... so a little bit crazy and tired.

The cute kids.

Gracie and Zachy with their cousin Rochelle.

Combining with Uncle Kevin

These pictures were taken a few weeks ago already. Harvest in this area was super early this year. Most fields were cleared out before October even started. Usually that is when harvest starts.

Of course the annual ride on the combine with Uncle Kevin needed to take place. 

So here we have it Gracie and Zach with Uncle Kevin.

What a mess!!!

This guy... so cute and adorable... but such a mess.

He insists on feeding himself. He wants nothing to do with us spooning the food in his mouth.

So you can imagine how squash went.

Well, I guess this pictures let you see it.

Zachy turns 4!!!

My Little Guy recently had his big day. His 4th birthday was on October 1st.

We happened to be spending the weekend at Uncle Jim's and Auntie Denise's so of course an informal birthday party took place.

We had some balloons and a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake!!!!!

Zachy is sooo excited.

Next onto the presents.

October 1st was actually on Monday, so of course we had to do more birthday celebrations Monday evening. This is Mommy's attempt at SpiderMan cupcakes.

Here is the list of what Zach has accomplished in the last year:

• Started Preschool last year going one day a week, this year he goes 3 days a week.
• This school year he rides the BIG YELLOW SCHOOL BUS!
• This year so far will not talk at preschool, he only whispers to his teachers!
• Can count to 15.
• Can sing his ABC's (not perfect, but gets the concept).
• Still scribbles when he colors.
• Still working on spelling his name and writing it.
• Starting to recognize letters. Has a long ways to go.
• Can for the most part say the Common Table Prayer and the Lord's Prayer.
• Eats by himself.
• Can dress himself if he wants.
• Loves chocolate and ice cream (like his Daddy).
• Favorite food is Mac n Cheese.
• Likes Toy Story, Tractors, Monster Truck, Cars, and recently SpiderMan.
• Plays dollhouse with Gracie.
• Likes to try to make Jared laugh. Tries to play with him.
• Loves movie night (Disney movie and popcorn)
• Rides bike with training wheels.
• Loves playing baseball with Daddy.
• Loves going on Ranger rides with Grandpa Joe.
• His Best Friend is Cousin Joe Cornish. They played for hours and hours at the cabin this summer. Funniest moments were both of them peeing off the dock into the lake and then jumping in to swim!
• Tells us frequently "I like you" "I like everyone". He even wakes up in the middle of the night sometimes, comes to Mommy's room, wakes her up, and says "Mommy I like you" then like a good little boy goes back to bed when told to.
• Always wants to give a "kiss and a hug".
• Mommy and Daddy's little lovable boy!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday little guy. Don't grow up to fast!!! Love you!~!

Pumpkin Painting

It is pumpkin season. This year we tried some pumpkin painting.

Jared- he got to snack on teddy grahams. He was a trooper.

Lots of attention it takes to paint.

Lots of detail.

Concentrating so hard to do a good job.

Still being a trooper!

Zach's name on his pumpkin.

Mommy's pumpkin with the black face.

Gracie putting on all kinds of designs. 

Zachy checking to see if there are any spots left to put some paint.

Gracie's name.

Pumpkin and Gourd Harvesting

We had an abundant crop this year.  More than we could ever use!

We head out to do some picking. This is the crew.

Our strong Daddy.

Then we got some help from the neighbors, Makayla and Taylor.

Before long they were all having loads of fun... and getting some work done in the process.

An attempt at a group picture.

The end result!!!!! I don't think we have ever had this many.