Pumpkin Patch and Family Farm

Yesterday, since JJ and I both had the morning off (finally), we had a chance to go to Stocker Farm in Snohomish. They had all kinds of things for the kids to do, and even a hay ride and corn maze for the adults to drag the kids on! We had a great time together and really enjoyed having time to be all together as a whole family unit! It's amazing how often that doesn't happen!

Cindy, Mason and Andrew hangin' on a hay bale

The Boys... all of them! Mason, KC, Andrew and JJ

Andrew was fascinated by all the corn that they made the corn maze out of. He REALLY wanted to take some home with him, but we had to explain the rules of keeping it there so other people can have fun at the farm, too. He was bummed, but was good about it.

This was a fun ride pulled by a tractor. They were near the end and it really bounced around a lot. The kids cracked up the whole time and LOVED the ride.

I have the cutest kids in the world, don't I?!

Rubber Duck Races. Mason LOVED this! Andrew pinched his fingers, but still had a good time.

They had this trout tank where the kids could go fishing for their fish. Catch and Release, of course (thank goodness!!). Andrew was absolutely positive that he could do it all by himself, and he did!

Mason had Daddy there to help him, but he did most of it by himself, too! He caught TWO fish!

This was my favorite part of the day: Hampster Wheels! Here is a pic of the kids getting ready

And here they are in motion! They hadn't started going much, but they were on the move! Andrew was a little unsure, but Mason wanted to get going. He was on it as fast as he could go!

Our whole family! What a fun day on the farm!

Well, Hey there. I can't believe that it's been so long, and I'm honestly a little disgusted with myself!

Things have been consistently busy. The last few months have brought a LOT of cake baking for me. I've already completed a couple of wedding cakes and a ton of little special occasion cakes. It has been a blast, although frustrating at times while trying to balance kids, Andrew's school, and my job.

JJ's job has been tough at times. He's been looking for and applying to jobs with the City in Public safety. He's tested for Police and Corrections positions and even got called in for an Oral Board with Kirkland Corrections. He didn't get the job, but a couple of days later he got a call about a job at S.C.O.R.E., which is a new correctional facility a little south of Seattle. It isn't ideal, but it would be better than what he has now. The pay is REALLY good and the benefits are obviously amazing. We don't know what type of hours he'd be working, but I imagine that if it's anything like some of the other facilities, he'd be working 4 on, 3 off, 3 on, 4 off. Pretty sweet. We're praying for that to come through!

Andrew has started school at Cedar Park Christian School in Bothell. His Grammy works there so we were able to get a really good discount on tuition (which was STILL too much money if you ask me). He's really enjoying school and has already had two field trips -- one to the zoo and another to the pumpkin patch and a farm. He's come home with so much to tell me and he is just a little sponge! I get to go to school with him and do a parent volunteer thing every 2nd and 4th Monday. I enjoy getting to know his teacher and his classmates, and love seeing how he plays and interacts with others. He has such a sense of humor on him and I'm just positive he'll be a class clown. Oh dear!

While Andrew is off at school, I get to spend a couple of hours with Mason having our daily "Mommy and Mason time." We play games and read books and color and just really enjoy each other. Sometimes I have to do laundry and clean during our time, but he doesn't seem to mind. He's a really good helper and is such a sweet boy! He is still struggling with potty training, but he is getting closer. I get really frustrated with that, since he's nearly 4, but I know he'll get there. He just doesn't care if he's wet or poopy or anything. He will just sit in it until I realize he's had and accident and then he'll say in his sweet voice "I'm sorry mama. I'm really sorry." So hard to stay mad at such a sweet boy!

I've had a few schedule changes at work and am now in charge of a pretty high-profile group that comes in every Thursday. They spend a couple hundred dollars every time they are in, and they make a pretty consistent tip for me, but I miss my Thursday nights. I made nearly twice as much working on the night shift as I do on Thursday during the day, and I'm missing my Mommy and Mason time, and I can't pick up Andrew at school. I'm lucky to have my in-laws so close and so willing to take the kids and watch them for me. My boss keeps asking me to come in to work more days, but I am really struggling with that. I just don't feel real good about not being home with Mason and Andrew. I've worked 2 day shifts this week alone, and have to work this morning while my boss goes to a Corporate meeting in Downtown. While I know that this isn't the NORMAL thing, I feel like if I say I can work more day shifts, it's just going to open a can of worms. They like to put me in charge of groups because I handle them really well and everything goes smoothly, but I just don't think it's beneficial to me or my family if I work so many day shifts.

On top of everything else that is going on, I have taken on teaching Piano Lessons to a couple of people in the ward. We have had a really great time with that, and the kids go with me to their house and play with the other kids from church. It's been a lot of fun for them, and a good outlet for my musical ability, since I don't have access to a piano here at home. It doesn't pay much, but then again, it doesn't have to. It's been a fun thing for me.

Well...that probably about sums it up for us. We're just plugging along and enjoying life as much as we can! Getting ready for the holidays up next and most of my Christmas shopping is done, so that's really nice! Sorry that it's taken me entirely too long to get back on here. I always say I'll try to do better, but to be honest, I just don't think about the blog, so I guess I'll see you when I see you!

Cindy