Ferdinand's Ice Cream Shoppe

Today Emma and I had the opportunity to go with Charlie on his class field trip to Ferdinand's. We had a great time! The walk was a little chilly. We learned how they make their cheeses and ice cream, watched a couple of videos, watched them make some cheese, and got to sample cheese curds and pumpkin pie ice cream. So yummy! I think our household is going to have to go shopping there in the near future.

Yum! He ate the whole thing. I don't think he has ever eaten a cone that big before. :)

Emma enjoyed sharing an ice cream with mom.

Fall has arrived!

Our family loves fall! The changing of the colors, raking, and then jumping in piles. Cooper loves to get out there and rake everyday he comes home from school.

Coop raked this pile for the family to jump into. He was so proud!

and a special package arrived from cousin Beth

Thanks Beth! We love crafts!

Our little soccer star!

Charlie had his last game for soccer tonight. He had a great season! He learned so much. We were not sure what to expect because he isn't into sports like his brother. He learned a little more each game. The hardest part was getting in there to get that ball. He always ran and was around the ball, but had a hard time going in there with all the kids and getting the ball. Today he showed us he can do it. He did wonderful! He got in there, ran the whole time, took the ball down to the goal a couple times and even scored. Way to go Charlie!

There were three beautiful rainbows when we arrived at the field. We were happy that the rain had passed. There is a small rainbow behind the big one and then to the right of this photo was another one. The boys loved seeing them!

The Cheetas

Getting ready to kick off. Nate got a few photos, but they were all blurry. I think it is time for a new camera here soon. He even wore his brothers soccer shorts for the last game. :)




Helping his team score a goal.

Nate shot a Buck this year!

Nate went out for his second time of the season last night. He shot this buck twice, but couldn't find it. He followed the blood trail and was on his hands and knees for two hours. It was too dark to find it. A wonderful friend went out with him this morning and they found it. This is the largest deer he has ever gotten. And one of his antlers was broken when they found him. Thanks John for all your help today! Nate is out cutting it up to fill the freezer.

Wedding in the Family

We went home for a very quick trip on Friday to watch cousin Chris get married to Brooke. We had a wonderful time! We saw a lot of family, had a great time at the wedding and the kids danced until 10pm. Met the family at the Cracker Barrel for breakfast Sunday morning, saw Nate's parents and then made the trip home. The kids did really good.

Took Emma a little while to warm up to the water, but this is by far the longest time she has ever been in the water.

Swimming with Cousin Anna and Liam.



So smiley!

The boys loved that they could touch the bottom of the hot tub. Just barely, but Charlie did it!

And a few photos before the wedding ceremony.........

And a picture of mom and dad. I love this one! And my brother to the side of them drinking. :)

Tukey Horticulture Orchard Field Trip

Today, I got to go on a field trip with Cooper's first grade class to Tukey Orchard. We froze our buns off. It rained on us and was in the mid 40's. I don't remember the last time I was on a bus. It went well. We learned that there are over 7000 types of apples, that red apples are better for you than green, saw many different types of fruit trees, and much more. The first graders all got to pick one green apple an one red apple. This was their snack later at school. Coop said it was so good. We also got to pick and eat a fall raspberry, which was super yummy. We only grow summer raspberry's and these were really good. We got to eat lunch there before returning back to school. We hope to go back to the harvest festival this weekend. Thanks to Carly and Tamra for watching Emma and Charlie. You are wonderful! Emma was in her jammies at noon when I picked her up (Nate dropped them off :)). She gave me the biggest hug, it was so sweet! They had fun! And thank goodness soccer was canceled tonight. It is so cold and rainy.

Learning about the crab apples and cross pollination.

Nolan, Ayva and Coop picking their red apple.

Coop helped carry the apple box.

Coop and Kirsten picking a raspberry.

Checking out the honeycombs. I tried to get a picture while it was pulled out, but wasn't fast enough.

And all the first graders eating their lunch.

Home Depot Work Day

Home Depot Work Days are so much fun! This last weekend the boys built small helicopters and decorated them with stickers and paint. There was a helicopter in the parking lot along with firetrucks, pumper trucks, an ambulance and police cars. They had a great time. They earn a pin and a certificate once they complete their project. And it is all free! Won't be long until Emma gets to join in on all the fun.