Apple Cider Party

We were invited to come eat, drink and be merry at an apple cider party. With such great company, we had a wonderful time.

Daddy's cousin was manning the press

The bigger boys and cousin and friends were sent to gather apples from the apple trees

Even Galoot helped pick a few for washing

What a fun way to celebrate the fall harvest. We brought potluck snacks and drank lots of fresh apple juice. Delicious! 

Waterton in the Fall

We woke up this morning to a beautiful sunrise.

In the afternoon, we decided a trip to Waterton was in order. I was so glad we went. 

Autumn was in full glory.

We delighted in the striking beauty of Red Rock Canyon

Who could ask for a better playground than this?

We went on a bear hunt and much to our delight we found one (little speck of black beneath the middle tree shadow ;)  )

Then we played at the park

We had a wonderfully lovely afternoon, so very blessed and grateful for the beautiful place in which we live.

Cousins

Cute Cousins!!! 

15 so far...

The best part is being born with a best buddy to hang out with at all the fun get togethers!

Birthday Boy #2!

Happy Fifth Birthday Ettin!!!

Awaiting this great big man was a huge stash of presents waiting for him. Giant spoiled him with presents he'd bought with his own money, and even gave him a bunch of birthday money too.

And, especially exiting were some sorcerer capes and hats for each of the boys, along with an instructional wizardology book ;)

Ettin decorated (and tasted) his birthday cake. 

Grilled cheese and ham for a birthday boy lunch.

...and eating with a bunch of cousins and friends makes it even more special.

Ettin was very sure that he wanted a surprise party, which involved everybody yelling, "Surprise!!!"

So, after all the kids arrived, we took Ettin into a bedroom and had the kids hide downstairs. Then we told Ettin he needed to go find his friends to start the party.

He was so apprehensive and happy all at the same time. "Mommy," he says with a great big smile on his face, "I'm so scared about going downstairs..." In fact, he waited just outside the basement door for a whole minute in anticipation.

Surprise!!!

Hotdogs and orange "juice", and "cheesie wheesies"(party mix) for supper

Happy 5th Birthday Ettin. Nice job on the cake!

Blowing out the candles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0W8y544YIk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

He partied late into the night, getting quite silly with vampire teeth

...and a late night cupcake decorating fest!

Spidey---10 months!

Aaaannnnnndd...He's Off! 

Well, almost. Spidey will stand alone, walk quickly along walls and couches, and even walk holding onto something like a broom. 

But take away the supports...

...and down he goes. 

Monkey.
'S'okay. I love him and all his thumbsucking cuteness:

Birthday Boy!

Happy Seventh Birthday Giant!
Giant came to our family 7 years ago. He is a source of great joy and general silliness. He has grown to be kind hearted, inventive, and full of humour. We celebrated his birth today.

He started the day with designing and decorating his Adventurer's Cake:



He got to spend a little time playing in the barn with the new kitties:


The boys engaged in some pre-party water balloon silliness:






Welcome Adventurers! 

Adventurer’s Quest #1Find ingredients to create food for the Adventurer’s Feast!Spider web. Red Ant. Blue rock.Purple flower. Prickly seed.  Open pine cone. Grass seed. Flying insect. Prickly weed. A chewed leaf. Something fuzzy.Cattail reed.Needed for Adventure: Cooking Pot. 


Looks Yummy, No?


Adventurer’s Quest #2Capture the Wild Beast.A Wild Beast has been terrorizing the villagers. It has six legs, vicious mandibles, and emits ear piercing sounds at night. They will reward you with crunchy, salty, fried potatoes for your Adventurer’s Feast.Needed: 
Beast container. 




Adventurer’s Quest #3Cross the Pirahna Infested River  to fetch the prized sweet orange root for the Adventurer’s Feast.Needed: Floating logs

They feasted!

Hungry Adventures:


Adventurer’s Quest #4Shipwrecked. Pirates have attacked your Adventuring Ship. As long as you can keep afloat, you might be able to best them and get their treasures. (Might find a dragon’s egg in the hoard, depending on time)Needed: Several small chair like life boats. (Start with enough for 1 per 2 children)
They spun a bottle of water from the Adventurer's ship to choose presents to unwrap.

The Adventurer's cake was set alight:
And ate cake in a tree. Like good adventurers should: