Jason's 9th Birthday Bash

I can't believe Jason is 9. Today is his birthday but we celebrated it on Tuesday with a slumber party since they had no school because of Veteran's Day. He invited 5 of his good buddies and had a blast! Katie and Jacob spent the night at Aunt Lisa's house so he we just had Kami and a houseful of boys. We took them to Roundtable for pizza and video games although they spent most of their quarters on the gumball machines with prizes. Like mini baseball pennants and water yo-yo balls. Back at our house they played Band Hero watched a movie and did lots of wrestling. This was the first sleepover for everyone and they thought it was pretty great. Now Jason wants to do this every year (eye roll). Below are some pictures from our night...and day. Playing Band Hero

Jason wanted rootbeer floats instead of a cake

The whole crew and their floats

Boys will be boys. Jason happen to do this with his present just as I was taking a picture. Everyone saw the flash and knew exactly what I had just taken a picture of. The boys thought it was hilarious and Jason kept doing it.

"Whoa, it's even got a hardcover"

By far his favorite present. When he asked for one after Cub Scout camp this summer, I don't think he thought he would really get it.

Is it just me or does he look like a redneck?

(The skull T-shirt combined with a kid holding a rifle.)

Daddy was just as excited about this gift

Showing off for his friends

Some of the wrestling I mentioned earlier

Cleaning up the next morning.

Ye Olde Pumpkin Patch

So we made plans to hit the pumpkin patch with Grandma and Grandpa Kober and all the Kober cousins and aunts and uncles. But these things never go quite as planned. Grandma was sick and didn't make it, Uncle Jake had to work, and we had a massive rainstorm hit. But we still trudged on and everyone had a great day. Kami wore one of Katie's old coats as a cape to keep her dry. We didn't have anything waterproof for her to wear. But she seemed not to mind it.I think it was actually raining when I took this picture.

Heading over to watch people shoot pumpkins out of a cannon.

Kami on the hay ride on Kelsey's lap. Thank you Kelsey and Allie for taking turns helping out with Kami. I really appreciated it.Daddy and Jacob on the hay ride.My best shot of Katie on the hay rideGrandpa, Jason and Mommy on the hay rideI got Jacob up on this saddle but couldn't get him to smileI called Katie over and said "Katie, come let me take your picture on this saddle." She hopped right up, posed and smiled. Katie is always ready for a photo op.Daddy and Jacob checking out the livestockAll the cousins (minus Pieper who was uncooperative, and Ireland who was strapped to her mom, and Kimber who is too old to be in these kinds of photos. But they were there too.)Watching the pig racesWe did the pony rides and then the rain started to pour (look in the background)We waited out the rain in a giant playroom filled with cornI have never seen this much corn in my life. Even Kami had fun.Making corn angels "I found my pumpkin, now can somebody help me?"

Daddy vetoed this pumpkin. He said you have to be able to pick it up. Jacob, sadly, could not.

Afterward we had dinner at Scott and Amy's house and the kids did a craft project and decorated cookies. I left my camera in the car and didn't get any pictures of that. But we made the most of the day with the weather and all and everyone had a great time. I'm learning that in Washington, you can't wait for the rain to stop to do what you want to do. Just get out there, get wet, and have fun!

But you can't have rainbows like these, without the rain...not that I'm complaining about the rain.

Harvest Day

Last month Jacob had Harvest Day at preschool. His preschool is located on his teacher's property behind her house. She has lots of fruit trees and plants lots of vegetables. She also has farm animals. On this day the kids went out into her garden to learn about where vegetables come from and pick their own vegetables to take home.

They are heading out to check out the giant zucchini and pick some green beans. Here's the giant zucchini (someone correct me if I'm wrong about it being zucchini).
Watching Mrs. Spencer dig up the onions. Getting his onions (scallions, I think).
Trying to decide which carrots to pick.

Jacob picked some of the biggest carrots, he pulled them both at the same time.

Picking his potato

Ooops, he got two. I told him to put the little one back :)

Following their teacher into the corn to get up close and personal with nature.

Coming out of the corn.

The kids all had fun getting out of the classroom and I think it was a great learning experience. Jacob ended up bringing home an ear of corn, a tomato, a potato, 2 carrots, some onions, and a green bean. Thanks Mrs. Spencer, your the best!