Harvest Hoedown

Last year's Hoedown was rained out so we had to have it in the church (a real bummer when one considers the fun of having it outside). So this year I was thrilled when the weather report showed only a 10% chance for rain. Each family brought food, and we all enjoyed a wonderful time of eating and greeting! 

Below Paton is sitting in Mary Kate's lap for the hayride. She's a really good babysitter for Paton, and he loved the hayride. I wasn't nervous at all about him jumping off, for you see, that would have completely ended his fun. In fact, once or twice when the four-wheeler stopped to add or subtract people, I could see her asking him if he was done. A vigorous shake of the head showed that certainly wasn't finished riding!

Greg and I made an effort to dress up hoedown-ish this year. Last year we had only been here two months or so and didn't have the stuff we needed. This year, I even had cowboy boots (how folks wear them all the time amazes me...my feet were so sore afterwards!)

The trampoline was a little much for Paton when he wasn't holding our hand. In fact, at the start he wanted to do it himself and had to learn the hard way that he's only 2. After that experience, he wouldn't let go our hands!

Humorously, Paton didn't get the idea of eating the apple off of the tree. He just grabbed one and took a big bite! Apples are one of his favorite foods!

Not to be outdone by his friend Jonathan (a year younger than him), Paton rode a horse for the first time. We didn't even have to hold him while he rode. I wish you could have seen him shake with excitement!

Even Mommy rode!

The adults are having their turn at seed-spitting.

A long thirsty day is satisfied.

Stressing Out

I have finally figured out how to load videos onto my blog!

Nothing too spectacular

I don't have any real events to document in this particular blog post. Life has been rather normal lately. So I thought I'd just post a few pics that I've taken over the last several days. The one below is one of my favorites. We were getting ready to leave for church when I decided that Paton look so cute that I had to take a picture. He had just noticed that the moon was still visible in the sky, and he was so excited to point it out to me. I think he looks very stylish here!

The picture below explained to me why he kept coming up to me at church with soaking wet shirt...he's tall enough to work the water fountain just not dexterous enough to master it.

One of Paton's pleasures is to find a stepping stool that will allow him to launch himself over the back of the couch. Here, the back cushion fell forward and provided a relaxing spot for him.

This swing was broken and really saddened Paton. "Uh oh. Broken. Mommy, fix it?" After replying that I couldn't fix it, he said, "Ok. I fix it."

My favorite posture for pushing Paton on the swing is to sit in the shade just behind and push without too much effort. Below is a shot of my feet as I sit quite happily sipping on my carmel latte. What a gorgeous day it was!

Ladies' Hike

Our monthly ladies' activity for September was a hike in Wheeler Canyon. It had rained pretty hard earlier that morning, and the sky was still overcast so it made the temperature just perfect!!

Aaaaaand then we saw this sign.....

I was a little disappointed that we didn't see one!

After the hike, some of us went out for an impromptu dinner at Alpine Pizza. Since we had worked up an appetite on the hike, devouring the two pizzas wasn't a problem!

Sewing Project

Last week, Paton got a hold of a black Sharpie marker and created artwork on our ottoman. As you can see from the below pictures, he decided upon balloons since that's the newest thing he's learned how to draw. I used Resolve to fade the marks but knew it was hopeless to think that I could actually remove them completely. So the only option was to get online and see if I could order a pre-made, stretchy ottoman cover.

That was easier said than done, since all of the stretchy ottoman covers were too small for my oversized ottoman. Ours is about 38 inches on all four sides and 12 inches deep, and all of the covers online only stretched out to fit 28 inch ottomans. Even raising my budget price didn't help. No one made oversized, square ottoman covers. I did have the option of ordering one that could have been specially made, but that would really blow my budget!

Then a crazy thought popped into my head. Why don't I make one?! This was an especially daunting task since I hadn't used my sewing machine in...oh...probably 4 or 5 years....and then it was only for quilting! So, I made up my mind to save money and try to make one myself. I got the materials and fabric at WalMart since I didn't want expensive fabric on my very first sewing project. WalMart had some faux leather that matched pretty well with my brown sofa, love seat, and recliner. There also was a pattern online for an ottoman cover that I thought looked simple and rather uncomplicated.

So after a couple of hours, finger pricked raw by pins, and a sick stomach (from nerves!), I fit on the completed cover and was amazed that it fit and looked decent! For those sewing masters out there, I certainly don't claim perfection on this project, but I'm so proud of myself for making something that fit!

The corners were complete guess-work. The pattern also called for an elastic fitted bottom so it could fit tightly onto the ottoman, but I actually like it without the fitted bottom.

And now that I've completed this project, Greg wants me to make a slipcover for our couch downstairs...oh dear. Look out, sewing world! Danielle is armed with a sewing machine and is dangerous!

Utah State Fair

I grew up going to the state fair and have such wonderful memories of the food, animals, and rides. So when Greg and I started our family, I knew that the state fair was going to be one of our yearly traditions. Paton's first year alive we went to the Missouri state fair w/ friends of ours, but he was only about 4 months old and obviously couldn't enjoy it much. Then the next year we lived here in Utah, and Paton was able to enjoy it a little more. This year was so much fun b/c he's more verbal and really enjoyed the animals.

I think the chickens and other fowl exhibits are his favorite...not sure why. The emu was something I didn't remember seeing last year, and Paton was very happy to say hello to the "big bird."

I had to keep a watch out for Paton since he really liked the "sand" (sawdust). There was a lot of gross things mixed in with the sawdust that I really didn't want him playing in.

Paton was very brave in patting the goats. By the end he was running up to them, saying hello, and reaching in and petting w/ no hesitation. Thankfully, none of the goats were biters!

Every once in a while we'd see a goose herder come by w/ his dressed up fowl! Paton loved the geese and desperately wanted to follow them.

Daddy took Paton on the giant slide. He had a wide-eyed terror in his eyes on the way down, but as soon as it was over he asked Daddy, "Again!"

One of the best parts of a fair is the food! Our list included turkey legs, french fries, funnel cake, corn dogs (so delicious for some reason), coke, cherry limeade, ice cream, and elephant ears. A word about elephant ears...the fair where I grew up only had elephant ears, and I had never heard of funnel cake until I moved to the south. So this was the first time I had an elephant ear since I was a little girl. Definitely needed to document this occasion!

Greg got his turkey leg and shared with Paton and me. The meat was so tender!

Paton playing...not sure what's going through his head.

And the merry-go-round was a hit! He was trembling with excitement when the carousel started up!

 Overall, the fair was, as expected, a really relaxing and enjoyable time as a family. We'll definitely continue this tradition for the foreseeable future.