The Pumpkin Patch in Arizona's version of Fall

Despite the emotional weight of yesterday, we had been planning to return to the pumpkin patch we visited last year at http://www.appleannies.com/. I had a feeling that's exactly what my Aunt Marie would have told me to do. And so, off we went. The weather forecast for the day was in the high 80s and it was a beautiful Arizona day that felt like it belonged in June more so than October. But we weren't complaining.

At first, Drew didn't seem as excited about the corn kernel tubs as he had been last year. But then Daddy helped him remember how much fun they could be and then he realized the fun that could be had.



The hay stacks weren't quite as tall this year but Drew had fun jumping from one level to the other anyway.

And then we headed out on the tractor ride to the pumpkin patch. If it isn't obvious from my blowing hair in this picture, we definitely had some wind accompanying our 85 degree weather. The breeze didn't bother us, but the blowing dust was a little much. Wait, I said I wasn't going to complain about the weather, didn't I?

My boys head out in search of our pumpkins.

We've found one! This was Drew's pumpkin. He was very excited when we told him we could get three pumpkins--a mommy pumpkin, a daddy pumpkin, and a Drew pumpkin.

Here's Drew showing off his perfect little pumpkin

Daddy & Drew amidst the pumpkins

Family shot in the pumpkins

They tell you not to let the kids carry the clippers but Drew likes to help Daddy with EVERYTHING and we like to live dangerously sometimes. (I'm kidding Mom--Bill was right next to him, just out of the camera's view).

Drew & Dad with our family of pumpkins

Drew & Mommy with our pumpkin trio--one for Drew to color/decorate, one to carve, and one to cook with! Anyone have any good fresh pumpkin recipes?

Not a cloud in the sky--I'm going to have to be dragged away from Arizona kicking and screaming when it's time for our next move.

Drew in the sunflowers

Drew in between the rows of sunflowers

Drew refused to sit on any of the pumpkins in the display at the produce section so he instead took this leaning over on his knees stance in all of these pictures--crazy kid.

Bill got some fresh peppers and tomatoes and made 1SG Ziebarth's homemade salsa last night to enjoy during football today. Yum, can't wait!

We headed over to the apple orchard for lunch but the line was far too long to wait in, so we just bought a few goodies in the country store and took one last picture. Then we had lunch at McDonald's a little way down the road!

More pumpkin pictures will come when we carve and bake the pumpkin seeds!

Remembering...

We love you and miss you Aunt Marie...always.

7/12/38--10/17/02

Even More Fall Fun!

Just a few pictures.

Drew checking out the alpacas at the Patagonia Fall Festival



Drew and his friend Sam on a couple of rides at the Festival

We celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving this past Sunday because my best friend here is Canadian and let's face it, growing up 5 miles from the border, I might as well be! Kim bought mini pumpkins for the kids to decorate and Drew thought that was great. He was very focused on his work but I did manage to get him to smile for one picture while he worked and show off his finished product.

A few recent pictures

Been pretty busy here lately and Bill and Drew had a couple of sick days, which hasn't left much time for blogging. I thought I would at least post a couple of recent pictures. The first two are from sports camp the last two weekends, and the other two are from this morning at the park.











You'll notice Drew is in long sleeves and jeans in the park pictures. It's finally starting to feel a little like fall around here. Temperatures are still very nice in the 70s and even low 80s some days, but the cooler weather is on its way. This is the first year I've really decorated our house in autumn decor. I so love the smell of the pumpkin and apple candles. It's making me very anxious for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

More Fall Fun...this time at a Fair

I love the fall. This past weekend brought another fall festival in town--this time it was the Family Fun Fest with carnival rides galore. We had gone to the park earlier this week for a playdate when they were still setting up the rides and as we drove in Drew said "Mom look! I found a fair!" When Saturday rolled around Drew was excited beyond words to finally go to the fair "he found." We met several friends there so he had plenty of other kids to go on the rides with. We hit all of Drew's favorite rides as well as a few new ones.

Here's Drew going down the big slide by himself with his buddy Danny and his daddy.


The merry go round had no seatbelts on the horses, so Daddy had to accompany Drew on this ride.


Flying high!


Driving a car

Drew clearly should have rode on a motorcycle on this ride as he was far too tall for the truck he decided on. He rode practically the whole ride with his head bent over through the windshield.

This, on the other hand, is a Drew-sized truck.

After the fair we went for dinner with a few friends and got a family shot to conclude our fun fall day.

H is for Helmet

Last Monday night we welcomed Daddy back from his field exercise in Texas. Drew was obviously overjoyed to see Daddy and even more excited when Daddy said Drew could help Daddy unpack all of his field gear.

Here's Drew with the newly unpacked helmet and goggles.


Later in the week it just so happened that H was the letter of the week for Drew's show & tell. It wasn't at all surprising when Drew wanted to bring one of Daddy's helmets to show his friends. Daddy hooked Drew up with the plastic version of his Army helmet and Drew put it on as soon as he got dressed that morning, wore it in the car to school, and finally reluctantly relinquished it to the show & tell bucket when we got to school.

If it wasn't obvious enough from the pictures, Drew is definitely a Daddy's boy. He even asked me the other day how old he had to be to pull weeds like Daddy. So darn cute.

A is for Apple

Since Bill has been in the field for the last week or so, I've been doing my best to keep Drew busy--going to the park with friends, inviting friends over here, and yesterday...going on a little excursion. After an already busy morning of sports camp and swimming lessons, Drew and I headed to the apple orchard with a friend and her daughter.

The four of us had lunch as soon as we got there at a picnic table right between some of the orchard's trees. Drew kept pointing out the fruit that had fallen on the ground. "Mommy, look at all the apples right there! Why are they not on the tree Mommy?"

Drew in front of our lunch spot before all that dirt turned into mud




Just as were finishing up, the first of many downpours of rain began. We shopped inside the country store and found some great fall decorations and then loaded them in the car while the rain was on a little break. The sprinkles returned just as we were picking up our buckets and apple picker to get started in the orchard. We almost gave up and just bought the already picked apples, but then decided maybe we would just pick the nearby apples and not get on the tractor to the far side of the orchard. That way, if the sprinkles turned to another downpour, we could still get inside quickly. Our plan worked as the rains seemed to have passed and we picked several apples. We even had time for a few more pictures.

Drew carried the bucket for me for most of the time we were out in the orchard, only finally admitting it was too heavy once we had picked our last couple of apples.

Drew showing off the first apple we picked

Drew underneath an apple tree

Mommy & Drew

Drew picking an apple that he didn't need the picker for

After we paid for our apples and headed back to the car, the rain started yet again. The parking lot was a muddy mess and all of our shoes were caked with mud. We all went home in our bare feet and my friend and I just prayed that neither child would require a potty break on the drive back--they didn't. In fact, Drew fell asleep almost as soon as we got out of the parking lot and napped until we arrived back at our house.

If Mommy is really motivated today we'll turn some of those apples into chunky applesauce in the crockpot. I love the fall.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Sunday was my 32nd birthday. Unfortunately, my birthday happened to coincide with Bill's field exercise at Fort Bliss. So on Friday night we hit up Oktoberfest for a quick dinner...just to remind us of one of the many reasons we miss living in Germany. After some delicious schnitzel, potato salad, and Oompah band music--yup, we still do. When we got home Drew helped Bill pack up before Daddy headed to bed for a few hours of sleep before leaving VERY early for a VERY long convoy to Texas.

Saturday night I met some friends for dinner, while Drew hung out at our friends' house. While I was gone Drew and Miss Kimmi made a special surprise birthday cake for me. Kim even consulted Bill before he left to find out what my favorite was. His answer (the right one of course) was: chocolate, chocolate, and then a little more chocolate. Anyway, Drew was so excited about the cake that he forgot it was a surprise and told me almost as soon as I walked in after dinner.

Here he is presenting Mommy with it. So darn cute.


Me blowing out the candles. A minor miracle I didn't light my hair on fire!


Here's Drew all ready for his sleepover with his buddy Danny. Steve is such a good friend to watch both of the boys so we ladies could go out.

Here's all the ladies that were able to make it out with us Saturday night.

Me with a couple friends at our favorite dive bar


The club we went to later was kind enough to make me famous for the night.

Sunday we went for breakfast with Steve, Kimmi, & Danny and then vegged in front of football all day at our house while the boys had the longest playdate ever. They had every toy in the house on the living room floor, but they played so well together that we didn't even care. Shortly after I put Drew to bed that night I finally got a phone call from Bill (cell reception at Bliss is not good) complete with directions to locate where my birthday presents were hidden in the garage. Sneaky boy.

It was a great birthday weekend, and while I don't really let a little thing like a number bother me, I will be happy when my husband joins me in the 30s next month.

First Day of Sports Camp

We signed Drew up for a 6 week sports camp on Saturday mornings. It's designed as an overview of a few different sports for 3 to 5 year olds and parent participation is required too. I intended this to be a Daddy/Drew thing that I might take pictures of, but Bill left very early this morning (or really late last night depending on how you look at it) for a field exercise at Fort Bliss. Nothing says good Saturday fun like an eight hour convoy! Anyhow, since Daddy is missing the first two classes I got to take pictures and participate this morning.

We started out by stretching and warming up a little bit and while Drew could have done without the stretching he was thrilled when we got to run 2 brief laps around the baseball field. He has a runner's heart for sure. Then we did a little throw & catch with squishy balls. With some of the aim on these kids, this was definitely a good call by the sports camp director!

Anyway, I didn't get too many pictures at the beginning, but here's a few of the little guy in action.

Drew getting ready to swing for the first time.


Each of the kids got 3 swings per turn and 3 turns. Here he is on a later turn...he's made contact! Great hit Drew!


Amusing himself while the other kids have their turn batting.

Throwing the ball to Mommy.

Throwing it up in the air by himself--how funny is this expression?

Drew listening to the coach tell him where to run to go to first base.

And he's off!

Drew seemed to really enjoy himself so I hope the next few weeks will go as smoothly as today did.

It's All Over But The Crying...

Drew had an early morning dentist appointment today. He seemed fine about going, played happily in the waiting room, and didn't display any hesitation until it was time to go back to the exam room. Then he was clinging to Mommy's hand very tightly. The X-ray tech and I managed to distract him with all the great pictures of Nemo and his friends that were on the wall of his exam room. And in no time, Drew was sitting in the big chair getting ready for his X-rays.

They had to do the side bite X-rays, which I even hate, so I wasn't sure how this would go. Although it took several tries on each side to get it positioned correctly, Drew did a great job with them, especially considering Mommy had to wait outside the room. The dentist came in and showed Drew the cool pictures of his teeth, examined him, and reported that Drew has a very healthy mouth full of teeth. Then the hygienist brushed and flossed his teeth and we were done! While Drew waited for her to bring back his balloon he informed Mommy that he would like to start flossing his teeth now that he is 4. "When I was three I was too little for floss, but now that I am 4 I can floss!" Alrighty then...

Drew was thrilled to receive a balloon for his good behavior and we tied it around his wrist. I promised him I would bring it home and put it in his room for him since he was headed to school from the appointment. As we walked to the car, discussing how proud Daddy would be to hear about Drew's great trip to the dentist, Drew walked a little too close to a tree and "Pop!" There goes his balloon. I waited, saw the tears forming in his little eyes, and then the poor baby just lost it. He had done so well at the appointment and then "Bam!" I promised Drew that we would go to the store after school to pick out a new big balloon but my promises fell on deaf ears as he just screamed away while I tried to comfort him. He eventually calmed down after I stayed with him at school for a bit, but it just broke my heart. No doubt he'll be getting the biggest balloon we can find at the grocery store this afternoon.