Pumpkin patch take 1

Back by popular demand... the Andelin family Pumpkin patch!!!  We love this pumpkin patch... so much so that for the month of October we are there almost daily.  For real.  Just when you think they've gone and done it all... they outdo themselves again.  This year, accompanied by the normal corn shed, hay maze, art barn, and animals galore, they added a corn maze and this fun vegetable garden with plastic veggies buried in foam.  They have mini wheel barrows and the kids get to pick the produce and wheel it around.  It has been a favorite for both my children this year.  Also new to this season is a race track with some bikes and trikes... I can't keep Kolton off of them.  I overheard a customer saying to a friend, "I didn't know this cost money" (duh!) "I also didn't know how nice it was!" Amen sister woman, amen!  It is, indeed, nice!!  Everything is clean, family run, there are pumpkins galore, story time, face painting, puppet shows, and so much more.  We can seriously get lost here.  It's funny how different this year is for us than last.  Last year Kolton mainly slept in his car seat and nursed in the barn. This year... well, this year is history!  He climbs up the tractor (sometimes falling off but without complaint), runs from place to place, feeds the goats, takes every lid off of every marker ten times while I trail behind him replacing them, and mimics the noises the animals make.  Xiana, well, Xiana most disappears.  Occasionally I see her pop her head out from where ever she is, but this is pretty much a little wonderland for her.  I'll be surprised if she grows up without her pumpkin patch memories in tact.

Oh yeah... they also have sling shots into pumpkin mouths....

dress up barn...

rider cars....

a spider web....

and bean bag toss.  Seriously, will it ever stop?!  I think not!

Corn!

New cheese!!  (Otherwise known as cross over bite) This is how Kolton smiles every time you tell him to "say cheese!"  Natalie kindly hosted playgroup at her farm and let us pick the most scrumptiously ridiculous corn you have ever sank your teeth into.  There was mud from irrigation so the girls had their hearts set on bathing suits.... we went ahead and complied.  Kolton disappeared a time or two with his little side kick Ellie.  They always get into mischief together.  I caught them at the chickens, sticking their little fingers in to the turkeys (which despite much warning managed to get bitten), feeding hay to the goats, playing in the empty canal, and covered from head to toe in mud from finding a drip system in the garden.  Hysterical.

See?!

This is right before the infamous finger biting.

When we went to pick corn, the kids did this. I swear we did not prompt, suggest, or pose these children.  They organically lined up next to each other and grasped on another's hands.  It was picture perfect... quite literally.

We ventured through the corn and Natalie taught us how to identify and then pick the ripe corn.  We filled some bags, went home, and fed them to our families.  It was such fun.  I know I say this time and time again, but I'm so grateful to have her for a friend and for the wonderful opportunity my children have to really understand farming (without having to do all the work).  Thanks again!  We had a wonderful time!

ballerina!

Seriously, I think Xiana might be the cutest little ballerina that ever lived.  When I was a little girl, I wanted to take dance classes so desperately.  I don't know why my parents never consented.  Perhaps it had to do with the ten thousand other engagements I and my four other siblings had.  At any rate, I wanted to dance. I never got to dance.  As a result, I am the most uncoordinated woman alive!  I mean, I have loathed dancing most of my adult life because I simply cannot keep a beat and, am therefore incredibly uncomfortable and insecure when it comes to busting a move in public.  When Xiana asked if she could take dance classes, it hit me in a way it probably doesn't hit most mothers.  I didn't feel the "I want to live vicariously through you" pang, nor did I experience the, "you're going to have all the opportunities that I did not."  No, instead I recalled a hundred moments in my life when those around me were letting loose, dancing, having a good time while I stood frigid, scared, and incapable of moving for fear of embarrassment or injury.  So, I jumped on it.  I'm not convinced these little four year olds are learning technique or true ballet, but I am thoroughly convinced they are learning poise, confidence, and a trust in their bodies that will help carry them through this life.  I am convinced that the more comfortable Xiana is with herself, the stronger she will be in life.  I am convinced that if the girl wants to dance, she should get to!  I don't foresee a professional ballerina  in my future, or a hip hop guru (though I guess you never know), but I do foresee a confident, happy, able to let go and have fun girl and woman.  That is worth it!  Plus, she is just so stinking rotten cute in her get up!

yes please

• My girl loves pinatas, candy, swimming, jumping a million times off the edge of the pool into the water, memorizing articles of faith, doing art projects of any kind, writing letters, playing in dirt, wearing dresses, side buns, dancing, dancing, dancing, singing, singing, singing, Taylor Swift, Lady GaGa, Justin Beiber, her big sister, her baby brother, going to preschool, and hanging out with uncle Garrett. 
• I overheard her telling Tad one day, "That's not healthy.  If you wanna grow big and strong you can't just eat mayo and mustard sandwiches."
• Her mannerisms and expressions are entirely her mama.  She said the other day, "that boy (Kolton)  is gonna make a mess in no time."
• She speaks exactly as I speak.
• She wrote and presented a talk about the commandment "thou shall not steal."  She thought up the topic, wrote her talk, and executed it seamlessly.
• She is pretty much awesome.  She helps a ton with her baby brother and is so sweet.... dramatic, but sweet.



• My boy continues to be about the busiest baby I've ever met.  He is a full time job 100% of the time.
• He loves ice cream, jumping off of anything, climbing anything, getting into anything he's not supposed to, being outside, dirt, rocks, running, animals (particularly goats and dogs), laughing an infectious adorable laugh, answering questions with either a shake or nod of the head (typically accurately to what his response is), all things tires and motors (ie bobcats, tractors, ATV's), brushing his teeth, dancing, singing, his big sisters, and his "baby" actually a blanket that he sleeps with.
• His language is exploding now and he talks all day long.  Among many other words he regularly says: tree, hot, dog, uh oh, waffle, please, thank you, sissy, car, kitty cat, dog, no, up, go, bumpa (grandpa) and bumpma (grandma), daddy, mommy, me, mine!!!! and anything else you tell him to say.
• The other day at the park he was at the top of the slide preparing to slide down when he touched it and said, "hot" and proceeded to blow on the slide.
• He thinks the school bus that sits in front of the school each morning and afternoon is his own.  After we drop Xiana off and before we pick her up, he bolts out of the car, runs to the bus, climbs aboard, and hops on the bus driver's lap.  He then drives, pulls levers, talks in the microphone, opens the alarmed windows, climbs on every seat on the bus, and yells at the kids that actually ride the bus because he's totally offended that they are on HIS bus.  The bus driver is a pretty burly looking guy that clearly adores Kolton.  Every day he says, "hi little buddy."  It's darling.
• The other day I lost Kolton for about 60 seconds at the park.  I ran around the building where I had last seen him and found him on top of a county bobcat... He doesn't waste a second this little monster.
• He's hysterically exhausting and is quite positive he is all grown up and therefor should be able to do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

 

The end

Truly... the end....farewell splash park and summer... we'll see you next year!

some clever title

       So..... remember last year when I begged you not to go all PETA on me?  Multiply that by a few and remember it for this post.  This is where I write all about my first big game hunt.  And by first... I really mean first.  Most hunters, by the time they are twelve, have accompanied their dads on approximately 67 hunts.  I have never witnessed a big game hunt ever before in my life.  As a result, the day went a little something like this:
         We woke before the sun, Brian gently nudging me eager with anticipation to take me on this first experience (okay, by gently nudge I mean yelled, "are you coming or not?! Wake up!").  We got dressed in our camouflage which I was told was non-negotiable, mandatory only to later find was optional.  Still, Brian got me this slimming camo outfit that actually has pink lining.  This makes me very happy.  I don't know why, but pink lining in the world of camo and hunting and creeping in the desert is exciting to me.  At any rate, we got dressed and went to the gas station to get some healthy, filling fuel for our hard days work (okay, maybe we got breakfast sandwiches and chimmichungas). Then we drove up on the hill.  I was cautiously eager and cautiously optimistic due to my complete and utter lack of experience.  Brian has taken me out practice shooting at targets, and I've done exceptionally.  But, there is a vast difference between a plate with a red bulls eye drawn in the center, and a live, moving, breathing animal.  Both Brian and his dad reassured me that antelope go down easy, but Brian's hunt the previous week did nothing to comfort my fear of missing or of injuring the animal (he had to hit his four times).  Because of my lack of experience, I didn't know if I was going to feel guilty, freak out, cry or what.  I rationalized that the only way I could find out was by trial.  Still, I was petrified of injuring an antelope, hearing it cry, seeing it distressed, and having to chase an injured, angry animal.  Brian insisted that we would come home with an antelope that first day.  I was not convinced.  It was nice, driving around, looking at nature, visiting with Brian.  It was really like a date (no kids or work for two full days).  Still, I crave the experience of camping out with the family and getting the full hunting experience (this will be in our future when we have older, less lunatic children).  We spotted a few, but they were far away, and Brian was positive we could find something closer to the road.  We drove all over creation in my mind.  Thankfully, Brian knows these mountains like the back of his hands.... scratch that, better than the back of his hands.  Brian spotted a heard across a ranch.  He jumped in the truck, floored it to the other side only to discover another truck had beat us there.  They were on top of the herd.  In hopes they hunters might push the herd back up the mountain, Brian and I went up farther.  Then, he saw them.  There were about 10 antelope a hundred yards away... ideal! So we snuck up on them, I laid on the ground and looked through the scope while Brian, through his binoculars said, "the one in the back is a female."  So, I put the scope on the farthest back animal.  She was not broad side so I was waiting for her to turn, or move to a better position when Brian said, "the two in the front, the one in the middle, the one second to last." and so on and so on and so on.  What did I the inexperienced hunter do? I bounced the scope, and as a result my rifle, from animal to animal to animal.  Waiting, always waiting to land on the one he wanted me to shoot when it was broadside.  Finally, the stars aligned and this happened.  Then, just as I was squeezing the trigger Brian said, "don't shoot."  Just in time for another animal to run directly behind the antelope I had set my sights on.  Then, the heard took off.  Brian said, "Geez babe, it doesn't get any better than that!  Let's go."  He insists he said it calmly, but I assure you.. he did not!  So I retorted, "well what did you want me to do? shoot it in the eye? I never got a shot!"  To which he responded that he could have shot any one of them.  To which I exploded with anger and frustration.  Then I learned a lesson in hunting.  When the person not hunting tells you what animal to shoot, they are indicating which is the correct gender for your tag. In other words, it's best to listen only until you get your sights on an animal.  Then you stay with it until you get a good shot.  Lesson learned.   We went back down the hill and hiked where he initially saw the big herd only to discover the two hunters had one down they were cleaning.  So, Brian told me he had a trick up his sleeve and knew of a good spot just up the way a bit.  He also said, "those guys are gonna still be dragging that antelope to their truck by the time we drop one, drive up to it, load it and head out."  He was right.  We went through a fence and up the mountain a bit.  Just then he spotted two females hanging out.  We got out quietly, crouched on the ground, went up to a spot we could see, then crawled on the ground.  It really felt like the movies.  Brian told me they were at 220 yards.  He didn't have to tell me which to shoot, and I knew that I didn't have to listen anyway:)  I laid down, looked in the scope, waited for the majestic creature to be in view, took a shot, and watched through the scope as she immediately hit the ground.  It was very exciting.  There are so many things that you have to think about when you target shoot, but they come quite naturally when you actually hunt.  I was very worried that I was going to feel guilty.  As a result, I almost think I talked myself out of it too much.  Brian said even after all this time he still feels a little guilty every time he harvests an animal.  I did not at first.  Then, I walked over to it and Brian got the truck and drove around to it.  When I first came upon her, the guilt set in.  I pushed it back as I admired her beauty.  I had never seen an antelope this close before, and it was very pretty.  I sat in quiet reverence for a moment, but then I started to panic because she was twitching which made me feel horrible.  I later learned that is a normal thing. Still, it was a rush of emotions.  Another thing I was nervous about was the eww factor of field dressing the animal (which Brian kindly did for me, not that I would have had a clue what to do without him).  It was gross, but it was good for me too because the second he started cleaning the animal up, it changed from an animal to meat.  Just like that.  Then I said we better use ever ounce of meat so that I don't feel guilty.  I intend to do so.  All in all, it was a pleasant, successful, first hunt.  It was great preparation for my upcoming mule deer that is supposed to be more challenging, but what's more, it was wonderful to share something that my husband loves so dearly.  I can't say that I love hunting, but I can say that I love hunting with him.  Also, I'm grateful that I get the experience to enjoy something so few people (women) can say they've tried.  And I get to learn from the best! 

The following day we took the kids and Brian's parents out for a beautiful drive.  We tried all kinds of relatively disgusting berries and had a wonderful time doing it!  We picnicked in a clearing and went for a little walk.  Kolton is pretty much obsessed with grandpa so he insisted on staying by his side.  Grandpa generously taught him to step in cow patties while saying, "eww."  It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend.