From Ekco's persepective....

I was stealing a picture off of Ekco's camera and uncovered all of these fairy tales.  It's so darling.  For hours each weekend Ekco dresses Xiana up, puts makeup on her, and then they disappear outside where they create "movies" and fairy tales.  Ekco is such a fun big sister.  She gives directions on all the poses and has such an eye for photography.  She is one of the most artistic people I've ever met, and she's only 11!  These were so cute.  This is a tiny sampling of all the photos she had, but you can clearly see the story in each and every shot.  I'm glad I stumbled upon them.  Ekco is so very creative.  Plus, this is a great thing to occupy their time.  I wish we would have thought to purchase her a camera long ago. 

 

What I've been up to...

Hanging out at the Andelin farm....

Canning... canning... and more canning... thus far I have canned 21 quarts of pears, 25 pints of peach jam, 14 quarts of salsa, 8 quarts of marinara sauce, 8 quarts of tomatoes, and 10 quarts of apple sauce....

I also went on a lovely weekend getaway with the girls where we rode roller coasters at Animal Kingdom ALL DAY LONG.... literally.  We were so die hard.  We didn't even stop for a show instead opting to ride every coaster a minimum of 4 times... I'm not sure what our max was:)  It was really truly just what the doctor ordered.  We left the kids and hubbies home, stayed up all night, then rocked out to a caffeine induced seizure.... or jostle brain, whichever you prefer.

And hanging out with this little guy while Xiana goes to school... plus attempting to hit the gym more regularly. 

Take 3

Xiana's little preschool class went to the pumpkin patch for a field trip.  Xiana told me that morning that she wanted to dress like a cow girl... so she did.  I won't bore you with all the same information I gave in my first two posts... it's bad enough I'm boring you with the same pictures :)  Suffice it to say, it was a marvelous day and fun was had by all.  I was hoping to get to hear the animal tour, but after the craft, play time, hay ride, and snacks... these little four-year-olds were d.o.n.e.  So we just let them run wild for a while longer.  They even let Kolton do the craft which was wonderful! 

Take 2

Okay, so the top picture is not as the patch... but isn't it darling how my baby boy is pushing a pink stroller with his "baby" or in other words transformer inside? Priceless I tell you.  Almost as priceless as all these wonderful pictures.  Bare with me folks, it's going to be a pumpkin patch picture explosion.  Just like with all things in my life, I find it utterly impossible to leave somewhere without 15 pictures that are too adorable to get lost in the computer storage of the world.  Therefore, they make it here... and eventually into my blog book.  So.... let the pumpkin patch pictures speak for themselves. 

Oh yeah... and a slide! :)

Ahhhh, and a pony.... a very friendly pony that Kolton adores.

Look at what a little community they are developing.  They are simultaneously learning about farming and cooperation.

And how to ride a bike... or at least how to be pushed in one.

Kolton loves feeding the goats, and Xiana is substantially less afraid this year.  They feed them, firs the food they buy, then the hay off of the ground, then the grass they pick from across the trail.... smart little able bodied children that they are.

Story time!  or jail... I guess it all depends on your perspective.

I really love this picture.  I think they are adorable little friends.

Every time Natalie starts the tractor Kolton comes running.  He thinks it's his own personal ride.  Natalie has been so kind to let him hop aboard.... seriously, the end of the month I'll need to leave her a 20 to cover all of his hay rides :)