Fall fun @ the Pumpkin Patch

Em had the day off school this Friday, & the weather couldn't have been more Perfect for a Fall trip to Green Bluff's 2 most popular Pumpkin Patche's! Mid 40's to 50 deg, sunny skies, little wind...my absolute favorite season! We had a blast together like always, mazes, face painting, good food & of course great pumpkins! Just wish Daddy were here too!

Silly Mama!

Sunday Hiking

Sunday stroll out in nature...best place to be!

My & my girl...crazy winds didn't stop us from a lovely 3 mile hike.

Starting out on just a small part of the Columbia Plateau State Trail, which is about 130 miles long

The wind made even the smallest bodies of water glitter in the sun!

Always picking up sticks & such, this time a very large dead weed...which she proceeded to poke JJ with!

She told me it looked like Neptune's wand, ;) (meaning the trident he carries)

Silly time

I love this little chatter box...she insisted while we walked that we take turns telling a funny story...this time it was about an alien named, Gus Gus, who came to earth looking for happiness & found it in a traveling circus with the "Weird-Show" people (which we said instead of "Freak-show"!). She has the most amazing imagination! Inspiring.

Wetlands alongside the trail.

After hiking, Em crashed in the back seat, and Mommy took an absolutely beautiful hour-long country drive. There is something about silence on the open road, in the presence of God's awe inspiring natural landscape. that calms the soul.

Picture taken outside my sunroof, beautiful scablands!

Love the random lakes in the middle of no where.

Pretty landscape, takin while driving...I know, not so safe ;)

Pulled over to consult Mr. Rand McNally, & behold, a beautiful horse @ the corner grazing on the grass. What a glorius Sunday.

Miss Soccer!

The soccer season is going great, amazing how much Emma's grown in her soccer abilities in just one season! This year, she's playin on an all-girls team, with bright neon-green jersies, they named their team, "Rainbow-Stars". Daddy, you would be so proud! Win or lose, Em's always out there giving it her all! Some of my most cherished moments lately have been watching her games....she's been such the little cheerleader lately, always congratulating her team members and cheering from the sidelines while they rotate 3 on 3 soccer quarters. And to top it all off, this last weekend, she made her 1st goal! Go Emma! True to her personality, she rushed to us on the sidelines repeating, "that was me, that was me!" Such a proud moment.

Em's 1st goal..."that was me. that was me!"

My whole fam visits

Was great to have my whole family up to visit for my Mother's Bday. Amazing how fast life passes ya by, esecially as busy as this fam can be. It was special to have everyone together, sans Pat (we miss you Baby). I truly cherish these times with my family!

Em's 2nd soccer game...lovins 4 Grandpa Kevin

Sideline love with Grandma Kim

Post-game sillies!

Originally we were all going to ride the Hiawatha trail, but over half-way there, we realized we should have took 2 cars to haul everyone's bikes up from the shop to the trail. We figured we go up there anyways, hoping for a shuttle, anything...but no luck. And, on top of it all, it was freezing! We tried back-tracking to the gondola's @ Silver Mountain, but they were closed...go figure. So we back-tracked even more and ended up having a wonderful picnic lunch @ Old Mission State Park, ID

Em & her uncles, so great to see them all together.

Giant tree stump!

First building, Idaho's 1st Mission, ever built

Slow & steady...here comes Uncle Troy & Grandma

Always lots of pics w/ Jenny around

Em having a heart-to-heart w/ Uncle Troy...priceless!

Grandma Kim & Em, off to school

Grandpa Kevin & his headband, dropping Em off @ school ;)

Shout-out to Daddy Video

Nice nostril-snare @ the end Jen!!

Labor Day Wknd Hike

Yah for the colder weather! (I cannot wait for Fall, my favorite season!!) What a glorious Sunday, perfect for a much needed nature adventure. Weather was decent, called for brief rain showers, but we chanced it anyways. And so thankful we did. Em & I ventured out to Idaho's Heyburn State Park. We checked out the local wetlands, and then ventured out on a 4 mile hike up Indian Cliff Trail. Emma never ceases to amaze me, always such a little trooper....the hike was slightly more on the 'moderate' side, and it was a challenging climb to the top. We experienced a very brief rain shower on the way up...but both of us agreed, it was much appreciated & refreshing. Once at the top, we again, experienced rain showers, a little longer this time! Leave it to Emma to start singing in the rain! I love my little girl. JJ, Em & I enjoyed every little moment...rain or shine we made the best of our wonderful Sunday.

Startin out in the wetlands

Peeking thru the "blind-spots" in attempt to see some of the local wildlife

Em & JJ running on the boardwalk thru the wetlands

Mama enjoying the beautiful surroundings

Em having fun w/ the camera

Emma telling me what crazy face to make for the next picture...

...And there you have it!...I love this little girl, always so much fun!

My beautiful little gal

And so the real hike begins...

These two...always competing for the lead

Taking a break half-way up

We made it to the top!! What a view!

Mama & JJ enjoying the beautiful scenery, rain or shine

A little damp, but so worth every minute....what a great hike.

Daddy & Em playing in the river