Pumpkinville

It is not very often that I post without pictures, but tonight we went to a pumpkin patch and corn maze in Mitchellville, just outside of Des Moines, and had a great time. We are celebrating Andrew’s birthday tomorrow night and we were looking for something to do on his actual birthday. The Reagens recommended the corn maze and we all met up just before the entrance closed at 8. We spent a little over an hour in the maze before sitting around a fire until a little after 10. When our cars were the last ones in the lot we felt it was probably time to leave. The funniest thing is that the boys group, Andrew, Ian, Cameron, and Elliot, spent a long time doing the corn maze blindfolded. It was a challenge under normal conditions and I am not sure how they did it.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Andrew! More to come on that. . .

Howell’s

This afternoon Susan and I took off work to take Lucia and Rose to Howell’s Pumpkin Patch. I am not sure they got the apostrophe at the right place, but we all had fun anyways. Lucia and Rose loved every minute of it! We used to have more opportunities to do things like this with the older kids, but their schedules create more conflicts that we have to work around.

Jumping Pillow
Bath Tub Train
Pumpkin picking
Susan wanted to get in on the action.

Colorado Trip

My uncle Tom, who lives in Colorado Springs, has not been doing well. His mental and physical health have been declining and I had the opportunity to go visit with him for a few days at the end of last week. Susan stayed home on kid duty and I spent my days visiting with Tom, making time for a hike each day.

Susan playing at the creek with the kids.
Lucia chasing after Elliot.
I camped in Colorado. It felt like our RV trip to pull into the campground after dark and have to find my spot.
The view from my office. I worked on Eastern Time, so I had a couple of hours each day to get some work done before heading in to visit with Tom. I was fortunate that the weather was still warm.
My first good view of the mountains.
Uncle Tom, resting
Tom liked to hold hands and one of my primary responsibilities when I was there was to make sure I was available for that.
Meanwhile, life went on at home and Susan had to get all of the kids to their activities. here, Andrew is running in a XC meet , maybe at Southeast Polk.
My first hike in Colorado Springs was to Garden of the Gods. I tried to stay pretty close to town.
Susan also had to get up early with Oreo, who insists on waking us just a little earlier than we would like.
During this time, Mari also submitted her application to work at Coldstone Creamery. With soccer and XC winding down she will have more free time, and she is saving up for a new phone.
Soccer fans.
Red Rock Open Space in the foreground, with Garden of the Gods in the background.
Susan and the kids enjoying a fire.

Mountain Biking

No soccer games today, so Elliot and I took Lucia out for her first mountain biking. She was a little nervous, but had fun and said she wants to go again.

I forgot to get a picture on the trail, so this closing shot will have to do.

Jester Park Mini Fieldtrip

Susan and I took the afternoon off today to take Lucia and Rose on a ‘field trip’ to Jester Park. We used to be able to do this sort of thing more often with the big kids, but with the big kids’ activities it can be a challenge these days. We enjoyed learning about the different habitats at Jester Park.

Lucia and Rose hiding in the prairie. They had 10 seconds to hide like rabbits and Susan and I were the foxes, trying to spot them.
Pond exploration. In this picture they were trying to catch some frogs with another boy who was there with his family.

Labor Day Weekend

We had a fun, busy Labor Day Weekend. The Mary and Casey were in town and it was the last weekend to have our pool up. On Friday we had everyone over for pizza and to watch the Valley vs Dowling football game. On Saturday we did our own thing during the day and then Mary and Casey hosted dinner at the Rafferty’s (their friends’ house). Sunday was the closing party for the pool.

Friday night dinner
Kids’ table
Susan and I headed to the Connor dinner.
Supply organizing to get ready for another year of homeschooling for Lucia and Rose.
Elliot has been working hard this summer to save money to buy a new bike.
Kids in the pool.
Tube flip
See you next year, pool!

Whiterock Conservancy

Today we took a day trip to Whiterock Conservancy with the Reagens. we have been out here a few times over the past few years, usually with the Reagens. Sometimes we spend the night. We enjoyed playing in the very low river, looking Lucia’s lost shoe, hiking, biking, and just hanging out.

Lucia and Rose crossing the river.
Susan and Erin making their way to a shady spot.
Opposite site
Bikers
Nate and Erin
Hope, Susan and Mari, with Lucia in the back

Creek Beach

Susan and the little girls made it down to the creek today to play in one of the beachy areas where there is nice sand and pleasant water. The girls love to work on projects using the sand, rocks, and sticks.

Playing in the Creek

This summer the kids have been playing in the woods more than anytime since we have moved to this house. They built a fort and jumping ladder, into the creek, and today they took our skimboard from vacation down to the creek and towed each other like wakeboarding.