SDC - National Harvest Festival

We decided to take a "Fall trip" and headed to Silver Dollar City on September 14-15th.

It rained the first day we were there. Still, even though we had to carry umbrellas and it was chilly - we had such a great time. We got a little damp, but the weather felt invigorating and by about 4:00pm the rain had stopped. The air smelled fresh and new. It was a great day to be outside.



The first show we went to was the Saloon show. It was a really good one (they change it a lot) and featured one of our favorite SDC regular performers. We call him "Mr. Bean" because he looks so much like Rowan Atkinson. He was hilarious in this show and we can't wait to see him at Thanksgiving as Mr. Scrooge again.

We also saw the show "Headin' West" which always plays there this time of year. It's one of our favorites and leaves us with the feeling that fall is truly beginning.



Powder keg!



Waiting for Jeff and Capri to ride "Fire in the Hole!!".






I think the sign says it perfectly.



During the Harvest Festival there are a lot of extra craft and demonstration booths. Our favorite was this one, it was unmanned and full of different varieties of pumpkins and gourds. There were free seed packets, we picked Lime Basil and Chantenay Red Core Carrots. I can't wait to plant them next spring.






By the second day, the rain was gone. It was sunny but not hot at all.







There were some really fun outdoor lumberjack shows going on as well. We were able to see the log rolling, pole climbing, and log splitting. I told Jeff that it's pretty cool if somebody asks you your job and you say "Lumberjack". That's the kind of job that people immediately think, "Whoa, Awesome".



One of the special features this year were chalk drawings done by this amazing artist (you can see her in the picture corner). We took this picture for Mar-Mar, we knew she would appreciate it!



Summer, we'll miss you. It's hard to beat flip flops and spray parks. However, we're happy to welcome you Fall and all the beauty you're sure to bring.

Best. Anniversary. Ever.

Jeff and I celebrated 10 years of marriage on September 8th.



I woke up to this. Which was cheating because Jeff wasn't supposed to buy me anything. We'd already gotten our gift to each other, the juicer in the background (we LOVE it).





My real engagement and wedding bands have sadly gotten too small. I cannot get them on my apparently fatter finger anymore. Well, actually I CAN get them on - it's getting them off that's truly tricky. This set is from Stauer, a company that Jeff and I both love. He's gotten me several pieces of jewelry from there before, and it's always gorgeous. While these are technically "real" diamonds, they are man-made diamonds so are obviously insanely cheaper. The thing about Stauer diamonds is that they look very real. They sparkle and shine just like the real thing.



Aren't they gorgeous?!

When Jeff and I were planning what we'd do for our 10th anniversary we thought, fancy dinner? Night at a hotel?

Then we decided to just be ourselves and planned an evening we could both get REALLY excited about.



First stop, Chuck E Cheese! We had a blast playing games together and earning tons of tickets to get prizes for the littles.



Two of our favorite games, "Deal or no Deal" and "Flamin' Finger".



Next stop, Golden Corral! Where as Jeff put it, "We can eat to our heart's content".



I like anyplace I can score this many desserts.



Last stop, the movie theater to see "Cowboys and Aliens". The movie was actually really good, exactly what you'd figure it would be. Except Jeff and I both agreed that Indians should be included in the title. I thought it should be "Cowboys and Indians and Aliens". Jeff thought, "Cowboys and Aliens and Indians". I still think I'm right.





Back home to the littles who had a great time with their Grandma. Thanks for babysitting Cathy!

After 10 years, Jeff and I still like being around each other. We still WANT to be around each other. We still think about each other. We still try to make each other laugh. We still like to hold hands. I still rest my head on Jeff's shoulder. We're still concerned if the other is upset.
We're still friends.
We're still in love.
We're in it to win it.

Re-launch

New posts and a new look on my other blog, plaid star WONDERful.

First Day of School

We started on the day school SHOULD start, the day after Labor Day.

Beautiful second grader

Handsome first grader

Cute and sassy pre-schooler

Our classroom



I wanted to paint our basement off-white before we started school. It didn't happen, yet.









Our theme for the year is "Learn and Grow". I love the quote on the right from Elder Russell M. Nelson. In case you can't read it, it says "Your mind is precious! It is sacred. Therefore, the education of one's mind is also sacred. Indeed, education is a religious responsibility."



Book bins



Very excited littles!



Finding their desks



We started with the pledge and then an opening prayer.





Organizing supplies



Storytime



Art project - "I Spy" covers on their new sketch books




Puzzles and games





Recess







Math



Sign language

We also went swimming for PE. Then it was back home to write in journals and clean up the classroom.

It was a really good first day. After a year of deliberating whether we should do homeschooling, months of worrying if we were making the right decision (and hearing everybody's opinion about it), and weeks of pre-school nervousness (from me) it all went off without a hitch. For our family, I know we've made the right decision to try this out for the year. If all goes well, and we want to continue, the kids will go back to public school at grade 7. Homeschool will continue to be the kids choice. If one wants to go back to public school before then, they will. If Sable wants to go to Kindergarten at public school, she will.

For now, we're happy with our decision and looking forward to the future!