Carving Pumpkins

Saturday they had a pumpkin festival in town. So, we went to the fairgrounds and played a few games. We were also able to get a couple more pumpkins!! (That was a good thing because 2 of the pumpkins we had picked started to get a few holes in them.) So, the kids ended up with new pumpkins...and they were larger.

After the kids had naps and supper, we set out on the task of carving the pumpkins. What fun we had. Gabe drew his face on his pumpkin and I cut it out. Somehow I managed to lose the kid carving knife for him to do it himself. I couldn't get another one because the stores in town were already closed. Anyway, he knew what shapes he wanted and drew them on. I stayed pretty close to what he wanted, so his pumpkin is his own creation. Oh, he also decided his needed ears, so we had to cut them also.

Anna told us what shapes she wanted and we drew them and Doug cut them out. She had fun opening and closing my pumpkin most of the time though. She had a butter knife and was trying to help, but it basically came out as little stabs to the poor pumpkin.

Now, with the two that were getting holes in them, Doug and I were able to carve our own. And I still have 1 left over to bake for pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread. I am so excited about that!! I may even get another one for baking. As you can see, Doug stuck with the writing that he started last year (he carved Anna in the teeth of Anna's pumpkin last year). So, he had to pay tribute to our new town and carved SLAYTON on one side and the shape of Minnesota on the other side. (For some reason I don't have a picture of that, but I will work on that and add it later.) The original idea for mine was to have the pumpkin puking the insides out, but thought that may be a little obscene for the Pastor's house. That and the fact that Anna may have wanted to mess with it while she checks the pumkins 12 times a day!! =)

New Adventure -- Paper Route

So, not many of you know this, but I have started a morning paper route. I started Wednesday after I got home from SD. It is a morning route, so I have to have the papers delivered by 7a. It has worked out OK. I am still trying to remember all the houses, but it is coming along. I only have 24, but they are spaced out on two streets. About 7 blocks on one street and 6 blocks on the other. Since we live about the same distance between two bigger towns, not everyone gets this paper. It has been cool the past few mornings, but I have walked it. It takes about 45 minutes and if you keep walking it warms you up. I have made a few mistakes, but it has been due to misinformation from the paper. Hopefully all that is worked out now and it will be smooth sailing from here. I have been getting up about 5:15 and try to be out the door by 5:25 so I am back home by 6:15. I figure I will walk it until it just gets too cold or it is snowing. I figure I am getting paid to walk 6 days a week, so I better take advantage of it. I guess that leaves me with FEW excuses to get some exercise. =)

Visit from IL and Mini-Vacation for Renee!!

Last week, my friend Emily came up for a visit. We were able to take her around to a few places and let her have a "feel" of our new home. We explored Sioux Falls again and found a new, AWESOME park! Of course, you will have to wait until the next time we go to see some pictures. =) We also ventured out to Walnut Grove to learn a little more about Laura Ingalls Wilder. This particular museum had a lot of memorablia and pictures from the TV show. We also drove out to Plum Creek and the spot of their sod home. It has since caved in, but you can get the idea of how big it was. There is also an area near that you can spend the night on a sod home, but I don't think I am that adventurous - especially with the weather getting colder!!

This past Monday, Emily and I set out for a quick visit to The Badlands and Mt Rushmore. Yes, I left the kids with Doug. They all survived and the house was not even a disaster -- all this with a little help from a couple beers. hahah Monday we hit The Corn Palace, Wall Drug, The Badlands, and a little of Custer State Park. We found a fun little micro brewery for a late supper and both tasted buffalo. Not much different from plain ole beef. We accomplished a lot, but it was a loooong day in the car. The time changes in the middle of SD, so we gained an hour as we traveled. Tuesday we headed for Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and back to Custer State Park to see some Bison. Unfortunately all we saw were deer. Then we started our journey back to MN. Once again it was a long day and this time we lost an hour on the way back. We made it home at a decent hour and the kids were still even up to see us. (You know they missed Mommy!!)

I picked up LOTS of brochures and have been mentally planning our family trip to Mt Rushmore. There are a ton of things to do out there and I can't wait to take Doug. He has never been that far west before and maybe he will pick up another state - Wyoming.

Pumpkin Pickin'

Ok, I am trying to get caught up from the last few weeks. We have been pretty busy around here and I haven't taken the time to get some fun photos and news out to you guys.

So, we will start with Pumpin Pickin at Poppe Pumpkin Farm. Of course, we had to drive about 45 minutes to actually pick pumpkins. Which is odd to me since we live in a HIGHLY agricultural area -- where are the pumpkins?? (And the parking lot of the grocery store doesn't count!!) Anyway, we had a nice fall day and a lot of fun. They had a nice set up and lots of things to play on. The kids enjoyed riding bikes, playing on the playground and we all enjoyed a little game of mini-golf. Although, Gabe and Anna are still a little dangerous with those putters! We got to take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch and I think that was the best for the kids. We also got to see some animals. The kids enjoyed getting up close with the llamas. The neatest was the baby goats that were only a few days old. I almost forgot the fun corn maze that the kids helped lead Doug and I through.

Cats, Cats, and More Cats....

The house behind us and next to the church parking lot is full of animals. They have like 3 indoor dogs...big dogs and thousands of cats! OK, not thousands, but at least 12...in my book that is thousands. The cats are a pain in the neck. They had babies after we got here and now they are all over the backyard....leaving presents. A couple times they even been sleeping on our back steps. Doug is not a fan of cats, so you can imagine that he doesn't like to come home to a cat. Of course, Anna now wants a kitty - go figure!! Gabe likes to scare them away by chasing them. Whatever works. I don't mind cats, I just don't like them pooping in my yard when they are not mine!! OK, I am off my soap box about the annoying cats.

Fun Facts....

So, we have figured out the The Schwan's Company is headquartered in Marshall, MN which is 35 miles north of us. (Where we do our Walmart shopping.) Anyway, this town is 15,000, and 3,000 are employed by Schwan's. Isn't that interesting. And, surprisingly enough, no driver has stopped at our door yet. We see trucks driving through town on a regular basis. Also in Marshall is a Red Baron museum. It is so funny the things we are learning!

When we were in WI for vicarage, we were next to Kohler, WI which is the headquarters of Kohler, Inc (which makes toilets, etc.) I find it neat that we have been next to such companies on our travels.

New Furniture!!

Our new furniture has arrived!!! It wasn't supposed to be in until Nov 15, and it was delivered today!! I was so excited. We got a sofa and loveseat. I am still thinking about getting the matching chair, but that wasn't on sale when we got the other two. It is on the list though!!

So, we moved our old mismatched and stained furniture to the basement this weekend. Now, our family room looks soooo nice. It is great to be down there now. The kids can play, I can scrapbook, Doug can work on the laptop and we are all comfy and cozy. I still may need to rearrange it though, I am not sure. Chris, my sister in law, is coming to visit at Thanksgiving and she will have to help me. She is so good at that kind of stuff!

We have the new furniture upstairs along with a couple new end tables we got on sale. Gabe and I put them together today while Anna was sleeping. They look nice, but I will have to rearrange them as well. I am just too tired to think about it tonight. I am not sure how to use the space we have to make everything look balanced and symmetrical. But, here is a picture of both pieces. They are classified as sage, but I they are darker than I expected. I still like the fact that they are not white like we had!!! And they give the room some color since the walls are ivory.

Fingerpainting...

This morning we decided it was time to bust out the fingerpainting supplies. The kids had such a blast. Gabe cut his finger last night trying to cut a slice of bread, so he was a little reserved, but Anna jumped in with both hands. They didn't make as huge of a mess as I thought they would, so I was pleasantly surprised. Although, both of them did manage to get it on their face. I guess they had an itch!!

Now, I am caught up to today!!! So, from here on out, it will just be our new adventures.

Darling Anna

Each night before we go to bed, we always check on the kids and give them one more night kiss. Silly, I know, but I have to check on them, the temp of their room, and that they are not smothered by the blanket. Anyway, the other night, Anna was not on her bed. She had made a bed on the floor. Of course, I had to take a picture. Where do they come up with such stuff?!?!?!?!?!?!?

She is potty trained and becoming very independent. She likes to pick out her own clothes and dress herself. Well, we are still working on getting shirts on correctly. This day she had her shirt on backwards and wouldn't let me change it. "Momma, I'm Fine!!" So, she spent the day with her shirt on wrong because we weren't going anywhere. Today, she has worn her pants backwards because the "tag goes in the front." We did make here change them to go to the post office and back with Doug. Silly, silly, Kid!!