Colorado Pumpkin Patch

I had wanted to take the kids to a pumpkin patch this year, but didn't think we were going to have time since we've been in CO the past 2 weeks.... Well, my Grandma read an ad in the CO newspaper for their pumpkin patch so we went and checked it out!


It was the coolest thing! It was a real pumpkin patch where you picked the pumpkins you wanted right off the vine! There were pumpkins everywhere! We had so much fun!

Here's me and the kids...


I absolutely LOVE this picture of Brooklyn. She was climbing on a 98 pound pumpkin.


And there's my happy boy!

Hmm, so many to choose from. Let's just check them all out.

Four generations... Too bad Brooklyn wasn't looking at the camera. Oh well.


She liked this one!


As I was taking her picture, she did this and said "Take a picture of my silly face" so this is what you get.... Yep, that sure is one silly face Brooklyn.


Trenton liked this one.


He was tripping a little because the ground was so uneven. His hands landed right in some stickers when he fell. I love his face on this one trying to clean his hands.


Brooklyn using her strong muscles to pick her pumpkin. Although they liked the big ones, we ended up picking smaller ones to make sure there was room to take them home with us.


Trenton checking out the 98 pounder...


Love him!


I am so glad the kids got to experience the pumpkin patch. I know they have them at home, but this was just so neat to be able to walk through the field right where they grow! We had such a great time.

Brooklyn's Behavior Chart

A few people have asked me about this recently, so I thought I'd just post it... We started a behavior chart for Brooklyn in September. She really is a good kid, but like any other 2 year old she was starting to test her limits and was beginning some bad habits that we wanted to nip in the bud (like having temper tantrums when she didn't want to leave, throwing a fit at bedtime, not listening all the time, etc.) Negative reinforcement was NOT doing the trick so we decided to go about it in a positive manner and bought this board to hang outside her room. We listed out 10 things we'd like her to accomplish each day and if she does it, she gets a sticker for each.



All items are reasonable and things that she can accomplish if she chooses. Before bed each night, we fill out the chart. It has become such a habit that she reminds me if I forget. We go over every item individually and she'll tell me if she's earned the star or not. If she hasn't earned it, she'll say "No, I'm sorry" and apologize for whatever it was and then we'll just talk about trying really hard the next day to earn it. If she has earned it, she gets a huge smile on her face and dances around.



When she gets all 10 stars in a day, she gets a special prize... a new puzzle, coloring book, game etc. This makes her very happy and I really do think she understands that she's earned it. Obviously she doesn't get all 10 things every day, so we count up everything she's earned for the week and she gets little prizes for that too...

Here she is with a new coloring book!


We have seen a tremendous improvement in her behavior! This tactic works well for her. When Trenton gets older, he'll have his own list too :)

Loving the Weather!

This is the time of year all us Arizonans look forward to. It means we get to spend MUCH more time outside because the weather is beautiful.

Thursday I took the kids for a walk with the intention of ending up at the park. We were almost there (about a mile away from the house) and it started pouring so we had to turn around. I ran as fast as I could to get us home and dry. Every time I'd slow down to catch my breath, Brooklyn would yell "Rapido Mommy, Rapido." She's my Miss Priss and was upset because her hair was wet, her legs were wet, her cup was wet, etc. Trenton didn't even make a peep, just looked up at me like "Hey, what's going on here?"

So, Friday there was not a cloud in the sky so we decided to try it again.


This is how the kids like to "walk" Bailee. Her leash is hooked onto the handle of the stroller, but they both feel the need to hold onto it the entire time.


We made it to the park! Yeay! Brooklyn wanted to play on the monkey bars and asked if I could lift her. She said she had big muscles to hold on tight.


I absolutely LOVE her face on this one. She's concentrating so hard and doesn't want to let go. She really does have strong muscles :)


We have done some type of activity outdoors every day this week. I think Trenton is used to it now. Since it was so nice out, we have had the doors open and he thinks it's an invitation to go out and play. I always find him pounding on the front door wanting to go out!


Digging in the backyard. He is completely opposite of Brooklyn. She doesn't like to get dirty, but this guy will sit in the rocks and play all day.


And yes, he was trying to eat rocks and dirt.


A dirty face always means you had fun, right?


This picture cracks me up. He walks in circles all day around the couch and the kitchen island. I lost count how many laps he makes now. And most of the time has this play phone up to his ear and jabbers. I don't know who he's talking to, but he sure is happy.


I wanted to get a picture of these two all dressed up for church. This is our typical family. I wanted them to pose for me, Brooklyn's running off in one direction and Trenton is pointing at the camera (probably telling her to come back.)


OK, that's a little better. Say cheese!


We're looking forward to another fun week ahead. I think there will be more trips to the park, bike rides, walks, backyard fun, etc. We LOVE this weather!

Last Week Recap and Outdoor Family Fun

This looks a boy with no problems whatsoever... wish I could say the same for him last week. He was sick and having some difficulty breathing. My pediatrician said to take him to the ER so that's where we spent our morning on Thursday. Ended up not being a big deal at all, just a respiratory virus, but that was no fun. He was running a fever of 102.5 and just really cranky. Poor guy. He's feeling much better now though, breathing is back to normal and he is eating again. I really don't like when my babies are sick!

Just kicking back watching Baby Einsteins and having a snack. That's my boy!


This was Brooklyn coming downstairs after her nap. The reason I took her picture and thought it was funny was because this was NOT what she went to bed in. She has started changing her clothes about 4 times a day and loves to put jammies on... and usually when she picks out jammies, they are the thermal winter ones. Silly girl. She can't even reach the drawer they're in so she climbs on her rocking horse. Oh, and she has to change her panties every time she changes outfits so they match. She is such a girly girl. And making LOTS of laundry for Mom!


It's starting to cool off a bit more so we've been playing outside! Trenton on the Lightning McQueen car!


Brooklyn testing out the dump truck.


Trenton driving the dump truck so fast he's all blurry! Weeeee!


This is fun Mommy!


Brooklyn is finally tall enough to reach the pedals on her bike. She's been practicing now!


Still having fun! I love his face on this one.


Just a little video clip of them playing. This is the one nice part of living in a t-shaped culdesac... they have a nice open area to play with no traffic.




We got a bike trailer so we can all go on family bike rides. The kids LOVED it. Their smiles say it all.


All closed in and ready to go!


Brooklyn was peeking out the side at me. I was trying hard to take pictures and not crash my bike! LOL.

Daddy pulling the kiddos. This is his new bike!!! Now we can all ride in style! If the weather is correct and it's a nice cool day Thursday we're going to find a good place to bike in the afternoon.


I know I've said it before, but I am really looking forward to the weather cooling off. There are so many more activities we can do when we can spend time outside!