Playing on the hay....

Today we went out to Christie's Ranch - pumpkin patch and let the boys play on the hay. It started out OK - but then they began to complain so we had to leave earlier then I originally wanted. It's hard to be the meanie sometimes. As they get older, they fight more, and less at the same time. Today was a little of both. However, I got some really good pictures of them playing... and no matter how big they are they will always have fun in the hay!

Hi... 

 

Did I mention we got slushies?

Busy Family

Yes, for those of you who know, we are a BUSY family. I just noticed that I haven't blogged since the end of July. Well, School started - and with the start of school started a whole lot more! First of all, a routine - so happy about that. Though the boys are in a lot, having a routine helps EVERYTHING. 

The boys are now in swimming.  In early August, they both tried out for Swim Club - Xavier got in, Quinn did not. Quinn worked hard, and in September got in, and now they both go to swim club 2-3 days a week.  It's a big commitment... one we are still working out. 

They are also still doing Scouts - Xavier is a Webelos II scout now, and Quinn a Bear Scout. Next spring, Xavier will go up to Boy Scouts.  They LOVE scouts, and we try to do what we can to support them in it. 

Also, during the After School program, the boys do a variety of things.  Quinn is doing Hip Hop club and is part of the film club - they are making their own movie! Xavier loves Disc Golf and also was part of a Salsa Club. In the below picture, you'll see Xavier with his friend Marissa at the culminating event of the Salsa Club - a competition at the Arcata Farmer's Market - with about 7 other schools. Blue Lake took first in professionalism (presentation, both visual and verbal). So proud of him!

Let see, what else are the boys heavily involved in? Quinn is doing drum lessons - really loving it. They both go with Justin to football games, and sometimes play with the band! 

Seems like all Justin and I do is work right now, but work is good.  I'm enjoying a few new endeavors, working at Blue Lake School as the Computer Teacher as well as the Librarian. I'm once again teaching music at Laurel Tree Charter School and leading a bell choir at the Arcata UMC.  I also am lucky to have 8 students this year!

Justin still leads the All Seasons Orchestra and also playing in other groups. He hopes to get back on his bike real soon - finding the time to ride has been difficult. I hope to get out running again soon.

That's the update for now.  Our October is crazy busy, which I hope that means I'll have things to post.

Local Bat Boy turns 10!

Xavier turned 10 on July 25th, and for his birthday, I was able to secure him a spot as Bat Boy for the Humbodlt Crabs (baseball team for those who don't know this). He was one happy little booger! Before we got there, he was telling me how nervous he was, but he knows a lot of the players from being at Crabs Baseball camp twice this year.  Well, as you can see from the pictures he had an amazing time! It was a double-header, starting at 5:30. The second game was only supposed to go 7 innings, but it was tied 2-2 at the bottom of the 7th inning, so the Crabs had to keep playing. It finally ended at about 12:30 AM on Thursday morning!! (Crabs lost, boo hoo) Xavier was having such a fabulous time, he didn't want to give up his bat boy privileges, and since this WAS my gift to him, I didn't feel he had to! WOW, my little man is growing up! Not sure how we'll top this next year!!

Camping

We finally went on a camping trip this summer. Justin worked his butt off so we could leave early on Friday and come home on Monday. 3 nights! it's the longest we have been able to go camping since having children, which was AWESOME!!  I did some research, and found an old CCC camp near Cave Junction, OR called Grayback. A creak goes through the campground... Here are our adventures.

 Xavier makes the point on his roasting stick..

 

The fire, night 1.

 Quinn wait with his roasting stick...

 Mom and Dad... enjoying the fire, night 1.

 Silly Boys

 Biscuit on a stick.

 Dogs came with us.

 The trail by the campground

One creak coming into the swimming hole.

 AAAAHHHHH!!!!

IT'S SO COLD!!

 The boys try out the swing too.

 The fun swing near the bridge.

 Night 3, leftover hotdogs and biscuit = piggies in a blanket.

Last day, getting ready to say goodbye to the camp site.

Mad River Fun

On Saturday, July 7th, we found ourselves with a lot of time on our hands... For once we had a day with nothing to do! AMAZING. So, we decided to spend the afternoon on the river! Took us a bit to walk there, but had a lot of fun. Took the dogs too, for their first swimming adventure.

 

Quinn playing in the water next to a little slithery friend. Look carefully, you'll fine him.