CRASH!

We have narrowly survived our computer crash, but still can't find our camera software... Luckily there hasn't been a whole lot going on around here. School, hanging at the house and a couple of birthday parties, life around here has been cruising right along.

Halloween is on its way, Ella James (as she has told me that she now wants to be referred to) is going to be a snow angel and Micah is going to be spiderman, pictures soon! Last week we decided to make some Halloween cookies. Being that I am no fun, I went online to look for a "healthy" cookie to make. I came up with these peanut butter cookies, I think they tasted more like a dog biscuit, but we slapped some frosting on them and the kids love them!

Here are our creations:

Micah working on his:

Ella James decorating:

The weather in Truckee has been gorgeous lately. We have been trying to spend as much time outside before we are inundated by snow for the season. On Monday after school I took the kids for one of my favorite hikes in Martis Valley. Here are the kids by the creek:

The kids hiking, yes Micah is wearing pink pants! He had a playdate with his friend Hayden who insisted on giving him some clothes that she didn't fit into anymore and she is much smaller than him. So he is actually wearing tight pink pants and her green shirt... hey at least he has clothes on!

At the beginning of the hike:

The kids and Guyute:

Soccer season is over and we had the soccer party for the girls at the Blue Coyote. Here are the Yellow Jackets (Ella James, Kiara, Zoe, Carly and Isabella) with their trophies. They had a great season and we aren't supposed to keep score, but I think you could say that they won more than they lost.

Still working on the computer thing, hopefully it will be all straightened out soon!

Sometimes I wonder where these strange little creatures in this house came from. They have both embraced the joy of making us laugh. First there is my little monkey... here he is dressed up eating a banana:

Ella has figured out her first funny face and LOVES to do it. It never fails to make me bust out laughing. The other day she asked me to take some pictures of her funny face. I think they turned out really well!
The goof balls helping me make cookies:
On Sunday we went to the MOTHER of all pumpkin patches. It is in Wheatland and it was insane. The disneyland of pumpkin patches a train, hayride, corn maze, petting zoo, pony rides, lots of playgrounds, 5 acres of pick your own pumpkins and LOT of people from the valley. Not the usual Clifford speed, but it was a fun Sunday...especially the people watching!

The kids and Cliff in front of the pony ride:
Ella on Diego her pony:

Coming down the crazy Coyote slide that we accidentally poached:
The strange entertainment at the barnyard BBQ. They sang and told jokes, somewhat reminiscent of the muppet show:
Ella taking down her BBQ turkey leg:
Our little train ride:
After the train we went to have some ice cream, here is Micah with his:

The people of the area were out in their finest Halloween dress for the occasion. I couldn't help but shoot a picture of one of my favorites. Sidenote, there were A LOT of people wearing this shirt, a real crowd favorite:
Here we are at the petting zoo with the donkey:
Micah and I with the funny cow that really liked it when I rubbed his neck. He liked it a lot!
Micah brushing his favorite goat:
Ella making sure this goat is kept nice and clean:

After all that it was finally time to do what we came to do, get pumpkins! Micah found his in 10 seconds. Ella was a bit more discriminating searching long and hard through the pumpkins before choosing the perfect one. Here are the kids and I in the pumpkin field:
Running in the field:
Driving the tractor:

We came home with a car load of hay, pumpkins, fresh apple cider and Halloween decorations. We all had a great time and are ready for the fall to start.