Annual Peery Pumpkin Carving Party

Jeremy and I hosted our annual pumpkin carving party this weekend.  As usual, it was carving mayhem and we all had a wonderful time.  The pumpkin patch was wet and muddy, but that doesn't stop us from getting the perfect gourds! 

 A fun surprise to see the Ruth family, doing what we were....getting gourds!

 Rachel and Matt, trying to stay dry.

 Me, with my 'small' pumpkin.  I had to work hard to find one this size, and I really would have been happy with even smaller!

After the pumpkin patch, we all headed back to Renton for some grub. Jeremy and I convert our living/dinning room into a huge carving zone. Nonna, Papa, Josh, Timmy, and Angela joined us there. This year, it took me a while to get dinner organized and done...so we didn't start carving til 7pm. 

 Jewel, Papa Lonnie, Darla, Jeremy, and Angela getting started.

 Derick, Becki, Matt, Rachel, Timmy, and Jordan getting started.

 Getting into the top..........

Derick picked the biggest pumpkin, and I ended up helping him clean it out.  He used the 'light bright' kit that I've had for a few years now and put a bat design on the side of his gourd.  Daddy helped Darla make a very sweet and happy face in hers, and then did his 'scream' pumpkin.

We ended up with a total of 10 carved pumpkins last night.  Judi didn't finish hers and I never started mine. I was too busy helping Derick and drinking spiked hot apple cider with Timmy and Rachel.  What a fun night with our family! I am now feeling ready for Halloween to arrive!

Darla's First School Field Trip

Darla went on her first school field trip this fall, to a really fun farm right outside of Orting called Spooner Farms.  Jordyn and I got to tag along for some kid sized pumpkin fun. 

We got to listen to a talk from one of the farm workers, who told us all about different pumpkins and how they grow them.  And then we took a 'hay' ride behind a John Deer to the pumpkin field.

 The girls picked out their own pumpkins.  So cute!!

After the ride, we dropped off our pumpkins at the car and headed back to explore the rest of the farm.  Here Darla is checking out some bunnies with her BFF from school, Hank.

 Me and my girl. 

We had to go see the big hay spiders, and I enjoyed all the pretty fall colors.  After the spiders, we did a rope maze with a fun slide in the middle.  Then, it was time to head home.  What a great day!

Oktoberfest 2012

Turning 40 seems like a big deal....and I wanted to do something fun that Jeremy would remember for his lifetime to commemorate this special birthday.  So, I took him to Oktoberfest.  Now, we didn't fly to Germany, but we were able to enjoy the festival on a smaller scale right in our favorite little get away town, Leavenworth.  We invited a few friends, and made it a kid free weekend (Thank you, Rachel, Becki, Jordan, and Jewel!!!).  And a big bonus-my dear friend Brian Barrett is turning 40 in early November and he and his wife were able to come and join the fun!  Jeremy had a wonderful time, and the rest of us did too. 

 The two newest members of the 'over the hill' club.  You both make 40 look good!

 The Kunz kids....I love my sis and her man!

 Jeremy and I love the Enzian Hotel.  One of our favorite parts about it is the buffet style breakfast, accompanied by amazing views and a real alpine horn player.

 Festival time....into the tents we go to enjoy some brats, beer, and umpa bands.

 Diede, Jenn, and Arthur loves. 

 The girls!

 The guys!

Diede enjoying some bear hugs. 

The people watching was awesome.  The beer was tasty.  The brats were meaty.  The laughter and smiles were perfect!  Happy Birthday, Jeremy and Brian!!

Friday in the City

No School for Derick yesterday, so we decided to have an adventure day.  The kids voted for Seattle over a pumpkin patch, so that's what we did.  We took the light rail into town from the Sodo District and met Daddy for lunch at Jimmy John's.  After lunch, Daddy headed  back to work and we headed down to the market.  We had a great time looking around and brought home some goodies like Asian pears, doughnuts, and oils from my favorite shop; Tenzeng Momo.  The kids were awesome, even with all the walking. 

It was a nice break from our routine!  Yeah for no-school adventure days!

Random Fall Stuff

I love fall!  LOVE it!  I love the cool air, the crisp sunny days and all the goodies that are harvested this time of year.  Here's some random stuff to share.

The weather has been amazing, we have had very little rain to green things up around here.  BUT, the plants that I'm watering are so happy and it shows!  Just LOOK at those sunflowers! 

Fall schedules have allowed for more trail time and Jenn and I are taking advantage.  We are hitting the trail twice during the week, doing between 7 and 9 miles each time we go.....and then a long haul on the weekends.  We are preparing for our next race, a 30K (between 18 and 20 miles) in a week.  I'm excited and a little nervous for the race, our longest yet.  I do know I'm stronger than I ever have been, and for that I'm grateful. 

My good friend went back to work part time this fall and I get the pleasure of hanging out with her littlest one, twice a week.  Jojo is a sweet lil lady and I'm having fun having her around.

My kids continue to thrive!  Darla is still a gamer and loves to play.  She's into go fish, old maid, and any board game she can find.  Derick is still adjusting to full time school, 1st grade is good but lots more effort!  Homework is our challenge...not so much the difficulty, but more that he doesn't want to sit down and DO it.  And there's always something more fun to do...soccer, scouts, and Lego's!

Darla continues to get more comfortable at school.  She's my watcher and is soaking up so much!!!  Yesterday, she sat down and wrote her own name.  I helped her with the order of the letters, but she did all the writing herself.  Amazing since she couldn't tell you which letter was an 'A' four weeks ago. 

I'm so proud of both my kiddos!

JP turns 40

The love of my life has turned the big 4-0!  Over the hill! But whats really great (at least in my eyes) is that he's more fabulous now than ever.  He said turning 40 was harder than turning 30.  But I say we are poised on one of the busiest and most fulfilling decades of our lives.  And we are in the best shape we've been in, in years.  There's lots of life to come, so let's jump in, sweetie!  You look amazing for 40.  I'm proud of where you are in life.  Happy Birthday!

 Jeremy at 10 yrs old                         Jeremy at 14 yrs old

 Jeremy at 17, senior picture

 Jeremy at 17, ready to take on the world!

Jeremy at 40, still looking timeless and amazing.  Love you!