Tubing

Last Saturday we woke up to a new snowfall. The kids were excited to go sledding! We invited Haden's friend, Corbin, to come with us.

This might have been Lila's only smile on the adventure. It's hard for her to walk through snow up to her knees when she's all bundled up. She's isn't a fan of anything that hinders her independence.

Haden and Corbin had the best time piling on the tube and racing down the hill together.

They had a hard time staying on the tube, though!

How many kids can you pile on one tube? Poor Regan! She's barely visible under the boys. At least she emerged smiling!

I don't think this little rascal will ever learn! My aim is way better than his (especially when he can't really see out from under his hat!) and I can throw a lot farther!

Lila and I went down together. It didn't do much to change her attitude.

Haden told me he was all out of "walking up the hill energy" but still full of "tubing down the hill energy". He still didn't get carried up!

Regan was more sympathetic. She is such a good big sister!

Hot chocolate was the perfect end to this adventure!

Happy Halloween!

We had a wonderful Halloween! Regan was a fairy. She assembled her costume all by herself from her dress up trunk. Haden was a fireman, also from his dress up trunk. I love those kind of costumes! And Lila was a pirate. I had a princess dress that was her size too, but the pirate costume just seemed to fit her personality more. The kids loved trick or treating with their friends! We all got way too much candy! It's a good thing Halloween only comes once a year!

Fall Break

Haden had been asking for some time to go back to Idaho. He loves it there! So, for fall break, we indulged him. The kids rode 4 wheelers, fed the cows, and played with their cousins.

I know, I nearly had a heart attack the first time I saw Regan riding on the front of the 4 wheeler, too! She is only allowed to ride there when Clint is driving and going VERY SLOW!

Clint and I went on a 4 wheeler ride with his parents and some friends. But no kids! That hasn't happened for a long time! (Thank you, Karalee, for watching my little stinkers.) It brought back a lot of memories. Many of the outings while Clint and I were dating involved a 4 wheeler or a horse. Thirteen years and three kids later, I still love hanging out with him!

The colors in the mountains were spectacular!

Lila tormented this little dog every chance she got.

She loved being able to have so much room to roam around!

She was definitely intrigued by the chickens.

My little brother and several sisters met us at Swore Farms. The kids loved running through the hay maze and the corn maze.

At each intersection in the corn maze, there was a question about Idaho or agriculture. The right answer pointed the correct way to go. The questions were all completely random and I have no idea where they got their information from! Needless to say, those of us who actually read the questions went the wrong way many times! Clint and the kids were just running around, hiding, and jumping out trying to scare the rest of us. I was glad Haden was wearing red. It was a lot easier to spot him among the corn stalks!Lila loved playing in the swimming pool full of grain. She yelled and yelled when I finally pulled her out.

We finished up the day at the Blackfoot pool. My kids love swimming!

It was a fun trip. The weather was beautiful and the kids behaved for the car ride. Well, except on the way home. Haden was crying because he didn't want to leave Idaho, he "loves Idaho!"

Golden Gate State Park

We spent Saturday in the mountains at Golden Gate State Park. Since we have discovered that the kids don't really care for hiking, we have to bring alternative entertainment, like fishing poles. Clint knew of several little ponds perfect for fishing with kids. Clint baited the poles and the kids took over. Regan really is awesome at casting and has probably outgrown her Barbie pole. Haden doesn't focus on fishing long enough to know if he is a decent caster or not. Thankfully, there was a mountainside behind us that he could climb around on as much as he wanted. Next time though, he will have to wear a brighter shirt that doesn't blend in with the trees so well!

When Lila wasn't digging in the mud, she was talking on the "phone". She really prefers talking on the television remote, but she's not too picky.

Flying baby! She was cackling the entire time. Little thrill seeker!

Thankfully, no fish were caught! We really should try fishing before noon. We might have much better luck!

We found a playground with some old barns that had been converted to picnic shelters. They made a perfect background for an impromptu photo shoot!

Regan picked out the matching outfits.

I thought it was funny. Lila had no issue sitting up there (Clint was holding on to her) and Haden was holding on for dear life! He has never been quite as reckless as Lila. I'm not complaining!

I know I am a little biased, but aren't my kids just beautiful?The kids found an old water pump. Clint showed them how it worked. Lila was so excited! She loves water! She was completely drenched in no time at all.

Clint got tired of pumping before Lila got tired of playing so Regan and Haden did their best to help her out.

And then we headed home. There isn't anything quite like the mountains in the fall. They are positively breathtaking!

It seems like we do the same things year after year. I really don't mind, it just makes me nostalgic. I remember when Regan was Lila's age and we visited the same park.

And now look! She is getting so grown up!

I love hanging out with my family!