Schnepf Farms

October Festival at Schnepf Farms

Just over a week ago we went to Schneph farms for their chili and pumpkin festivel with our friends the Schnelbach's, their neighbors, Patricks brother Aaron and his wife Michelle and their son Noah for a little fall fun. I had never been there before but it came highly recommended by the Schnelbach's. We went on a Thursday night because we could get in for half price. I was quite amazed at how big it was on the inside...I had driven by a million times and it didn't look like much. But we had a blast with great company. I will warn in advance that there are many many pictures.

OOKY SPOOKY BUNCH
Happy Fall Y'All

These were some of the rides. The roller coaster is one of few gravity run roller coasters and it is just the right size for the little ones. Madi and Porter are on there somewhere and would have gone over and over had we not run out of time. Jacob enjoyed the little rides until the fireworks started and then he was mesmerized by the sky.

This little piggy went to Schnepf farms...these little piggy's went to hide behind a piggy to smooch.

It may not be Nascar but the piggy races were quite a hit. Madison and Porter went watching to see if their pig could take the bacon. (ha ha ha) No luck but they made off with candy anyway. Patrick and Lanette were picked to do a Suie contest. Patrick quickly stopped when he realized he was an octave higher than a manly man should be leaving Lanette to take the prize and get a beautiful pig nose. It doesn't take much to entertain the McCabe's.

SUIEEEEEEE

Ahh yes and what would a festival be without food and a carousel. We made Porter finish his hot dog because it cost about as much as our mortgage. Okay maybe not but lets just say I could have bought about 9 packages of hot dogs for the price of that dog. And is it bad that we were eating hot dogs just before the piggy race???? I wonder where the piggy went that lost?????

I'm too sexy for this carousel too sexy for this carousel...so sexy it hurts!!! I'm a model you know what I mean And I do my little turn on the carousel... Yeah on the carousel on the carousel yeah I shake my little touche on the carousel!!!!!

No Jacob is not asleep just bored out his mind he finally cried probably just so we would take him off and end the misery...Madison and Porter however seem to like the pony's well enough but Noah just couldn't get enough I think he stroked the pony's mane the entire ride.

It was a SPOOKTASTIC time!!!!
Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

Fun Festival with Fantastic Friends, Freakin expensive Food, Fabulous Pie, and Fine Festivities.

Happy Birthday Jacob

Okay so I am a little behind when it comes to bloggin' so I am backing up to September 13th.

Mesmerized my the fire.

Finally starting to get into the blowing thing.

Happy Birthday Jacob

He is definitely boy through and through. He is rough and tumble and fearless (not a safe combination). He is always happy and loves people. We are so glad that he is such a special part of our family and can't imagine a day without him. We love you Jacob.

Back To School...Back To School

To prove to Daddy that I'm not a fool!

Jacob always wants to do what his brother and sister do and this morning was no exception.

GOTTA LOVE........

End of Summer Clearance Sales

Goggles: $ 1.00

Pool complete with little slides: $ 7.00

Water, fun, and memories on a hot summer day: PRICELESS

Tons and Tons of F-U-N!! (No I didn't buy Jacob pink goggles he just borrowed them because Madison was inside all day throwing up.)

So your probably thinking oh wow that looks like they had a great time...what fun!! But any of you that have children know that bliss doesn't last long...usually a disaster lurks around the corner OR at the bottom the the pool in this case. So I hope I am not the only mom that makes my child do something over and over again so that I can get the perfect picture???? In hopes that I can counter some of their attacks with these "perfect pictures" when they get older and wonder about their childhood. And I can show them what a loving mother I was to make such fun for them in their youth. So it all began with Porter running across the yard and diving off the slide (the wrong direction mind you) into the pool. Oh what fun and he was so proud of his trick. So this is the part where I get the camera. First shot I clicked a little early because I was hoping to capture him in mid air.
So I lovingly tell him to try again and great job that was so cool!!! This shot was a little better but still to early. AT LAST, I got the "perfect shot" and in this wonderful digital world we live in I declared victory and knew it would make for a great blog picture. Until............

HE STOOD UP and began screaming and not in victory of my "perfect picture". Ummmm BACKFIRE. Oops! So one bloody nose and one black eye from those clearance goggles mentioned above I can certainly say "My BAD Coach!"

However in my defense he was only sad for a minute and did continue to play in the pool, just no more slide diving! And who doesn't look cool with a black eye???

Raspberry Days 2008

So for those of you who may not be familiar with the Raspberry Days celebration, it is a little festival that takes place in the beautiful town of Garden City, UT. You would be amazed at the number of tourists you can pack into such a small town. There is a craft fair, parade, fireworks, dances, entertainment, fun at the lake, and of course the famous Raspberry Shakes!!!

THE DREADED DRIVE

So you may wonder if we are going to Raspberry Days what are our children doing in the trunk in the middle of the road on the reservation just outside of Flagstaff, AZ??

Yes, that is a semi trailer blocking both lanes of traffic. Two hours of fun on the pavement stuck in a big line of traffic with no alternate routes. Although the thought of turning around really sounded appealing after the first hour we are glad in hind sight that we waited it out.

BEAUTIFUL BEAR LAKE

With scenery like this awaiting you two hours doesn't seem that terrible. This is the view from the deck at my parents house. As my sister Kerrie would say "God Bless America!!!"

FUN AT THE FAIR Jacob trying to get the ball while being bounced in twelve different directions by the other children in the bouncy house. (don't mind the love birds in the background...gag me!)

Madison all harnessed up awaiting her turn on the trampoline extreme-o. Okay I don't really know what the actual name of the contraption is but they hook your harness to some rubber bands which are attached to poles in the air and a worker grabs you and bounces you way up in the air. You can do flips and such but Madi preferred the stiff as a board approach. I was pretty impressed that she gave is a whirl however.

So after Madison went, Patrick talked me into trying. They get you pretty dang high up. The harness is only slightly violating and I flashed my G's to everyone at the fair and I looked like a complete idiot... but other than that is was pretty fun.

Madison and Porter at the end of the big blow up slide.

FUN AT G-MA and G-PA's HOUSE.

All of the girls helping Grandma bake Halle's birthday cake.

Courtney my sister getting all of the kiddo's ready for a treasure hunt.

Madison and Halle asked Grandma to make them dresses on Sunday afternoon so they could play dress-up (just a note they ask Grandma because they know she is perfectly capable of whipping up a couple of dresses in no time at all. They have a very talented grandma.)

Bedtime stories with Grandpa.

Thanks mom and dad for letting all of us invade you house. I know we are all a little overwhelming all together and appreciate you hospitality and patience.

FUN IN THE SUN AT THE LAKEMadison and Halle. Two sun bathing beauties.

The kids had a blast playing with cousins, chasing the Seagulls, digging in the sand, splashing in the water, taking in the rays and making great memories.

Bet you can't guess.....

Yep, another camping trip!!! I am a little behind in my blogging so this is from a few weeks ago. We headed back up to the mountains to try and beat the heat. Right when we got there my husband lovingly wanted to take me on a quad ride just the two of us and asked if our fellow campers would watch the kids for a few minutes. I should have known something was up because it usually is when he acts a little to anxious to spend some "quality time" together.

This was some of the beautiful scenery we encountered while we were on our little getaway. Breathtaking isn't it? The trees, the wild flowers, the fog in the air, the smell of rain...

Oh right and don't let me forget the sound of screams and splashing as a wave of muddy water come crashing down on your head. I should have known he was up to something...history repeats itself. (And of course this picture was taken after numerous trips through this and many other "puddles")And here is the end result...you should have seen the rest of us. Thank heavens for travel trailers and showers.

This is Madison on the kids quad they just got. She spent many hours circling camp with her good buddy Brad. Notice there is not one of Porter...after his last spill on our previous camping trip the thought of driving is less than appealing.

Oh yes another highlight was the beautiful boat ride with wonderful scenery and fishing and don't let me forget the constant whining and complaining of our children as they beat into our heads how boring it was and that the fish were not biting and I want to go back to camp and where is Brad and yadda ta yadda ta yadda ta. That is until we gave up two hours into our four hour time slot and headed for shore... of course now hearing how much fun it was and how they didn't want to go back to shore they wanted to stay on the boat. Needless to say we went back to camp and Pat needed a nap. I did manage to get a few photos of our fantastic and last boat trip with the kids. (for a while anyway)

This is Jacob terrified, not moving, and obviously not enjoying himself (very unlike him) as we boarded the boat. Could it be the fact that we have drilled into his head how dangerous water is or the life jacket choking him? Either way it didn't take long for him to return to his dare devil little self again climbing around on the boat, holding onto the sides and jumping up and down, leaning over just to the brink of falling in so he could get his finger tips into the water. Ahhh sweet memories.

The scenery around the boat was actually very pretty minus the noise and chaos inside the boat. This was a pretty picture of a Bald Eagle high up in the trees. And had we made it to the end of our four hour time slot like George and Lanette we would have seen it swoop down and catch a fish from the water. Oh well, pretty none the less.

And as always there was plenty of games, fishing, food, chatting, and laughter.

Back to School

Madison's back to school already, it seems like she just got out. Here are some pics of her on her first day as a 1st grader.

Okay when I went through the pictures I realized I got one of her pretty much every step of the way. I hope I am not one of THOSE moms, you know the crazy stalker type who can't let go. I really didn't think I was but there is something about the first day of school where I have a hard time letting go.

On her way out the door. She was sooo excited and just absolutely loves school.

On our way into the school (ya so maybe I am a little of the stalker type but only for the first couple of weeks)

And her she is going through the halls, she looks so small in those big halls but it doesn't seem to bother her as much as me.

At the class room at last (that is her teacher standing behind her, she seems pretty nice.)

And she has arrived, this is her desk. Fortunately her good friend Ethan is in there with her and they got to pick desks next to each other for the first couple of weeks. I am so glad she has good strong boy........friends to protect her. (Thanks Rocko and Ethan) And I think behind that last smile she is saying okay mom it's time for you to leave now. At least she humors me with a smile every time I ask. Love you Madi.