Pumpkin Patch

We went to Creek House Farm this weekend to find our pumpkins for Halloween. It is a local, organic, heirloom pumpkin patch right here in beautiful Port Orchard. The farm was quiet and peaceful. The kids ran around and played while we sat in a porch swing and watched the sun set. It was a lovely evening.

It was a hard year for pumpkins here in the Pacific Northwest. It was a cold and rainy summer - so many pumpkins did not survive or did not ripen and mature.

Searching the patch.

Heading to feed the goats.

Waiting for apples, yum!

The hay stack playground.

"peek a boo" kitty

Mommy and me

petting the baby bunnies

At home with our pumpkins! I plan on making pies with the sugar pie pumpkins - stay tuned.

Our weekend

Our weekend was very busy...and a lot of fun - I coordinated the volunteer staff for the Third Annual Fall Fair, which is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Kitsap Community Food Co-op. It was a huge success. The day was beautiful, everyone showed up for their shifts (over 35 volunteers), we boosted our membership (by 31), Lucas had a great time, and I won a thousand dollar gift certificate from a local tree trimming company in the raffle - Happy Birthday to me!

Lucas found a pumpkin!

He got to ride a pony - twice!

Eating a hot dog.

Feeding the llama.

On Sunday, it was Family Day at Camp Seymour, which is a YMCA camp just south of us on Key Peninsula. It reminded me of my childhood when every summer we would spend a week at Lake Sequoia - we will definitely be back to enjoy more of what Camp Seymour has to offer.

On the climbing wall

Taking aim

Canoeing

Touch tank

The day ended with a big lasagna meal in the dining hall, with a cup of hot chocolate near the roaring fire and a slide show about summer camp. It was a great weekend.

Planting

Lucas planting a winter cover crop of Fava Beans at the nursery.

Fish Fry II

It was the 18th Annual Fish Fry out at Uncle Ron's house in Iuka, Illinois. This year was a little different given that it was also a tribute for Randy's Grandfather who passed earlier this year. We went last year - where Lucas was able to meet Grandpa Buck. So, this year was for his memory. We spent two days traveling for three days of parting. It was a great weekend of camping, eating, drinking, boating, pirating, and of course, family.

Lucas on a Harley. Hope its not a trend.

We ate so much food it was ridiculous.

Lucas lit the ceremonial fire that kick started the festivities.

Ron had T-shirts made to commemorate the weekend and the life of Grandpa Buck.

It was also a pirate weekend.

Uncle Kenny

Buck's sister Aunt Clem

Buck's brother Uncle Harry

Everyone

Us

Al and Clem, Harry and Leela.

Buck's family

Harry's family - his two daughters, Jan and Jackie, and Jan's daughter Kelsey

Clem's family - their sons Russ and Rod and Rod's family

The Burbank Clan

Sunday evening we went boating on a beautiful lake near Ron's house.

Uncle Ron

Lucas got to fish for the first time.

Finished off by a beautiful sunset.

It was a great weekend spent getting to know family and remembering those who have passed. It was a not so great travel experience filled with delays and turbulence, but in the end it was well worth it. I'll never drink that much again...

Tis' the season

We finally walked down the road and picked blackberries. They're dripping off the bushes. We'll have to go back this week and stock the freezer.

Yum. Thanks mom.

Labor Day Weekend

Its been an action packed weekend. Happy Labor Day! It began with our friends, Malinda, Greg, and Lilly, taking us to our first ever Mariners Baseball Game. They said they had extra tickets, but when we arrived we learned that the extra tickets were Box Seats!! Free beer, Free food!! and our own bathrooms - no lines, no dirty stalls, clean and fresh adorned with little mints. It was great fun. Lucas and Lilly ate cookies and brownies to their hearts content. And we did the same. It was a very fun night, even if the home team lost. Thanks again for the fantastically spoiled evening - regular seats will never be the same.

Watching the game.

The beer fridge, and that great lady in the background kept everything stocked and clean. I love her.

Our seats.

Big fingers - yes four of them.

The boys.

The beloved suite.

Sunday we went to the Blackberry Festival in Bremerton. We took the foot ferry over and spent the afternoon eating lots of tasty treats and frolicking in the local activities.

Playing with sidewalk chalk.

Lucas wouldn't go down the slide by himself, so I got to go too:)

Inside the "caterpillar".

Pony rides!

Lucas playing in the living room after a long weekend.

We spent Monday at the World's Foremost Outfitter - Cabelas. What a huge overwhelming place that is - Is it Tuesday yet?