Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday morning, we realized Tyler had a few hours before he needed to head to school AND that it was my last week before I start teaching a billion classes per week AND that the sun was shining but for the first time since we moved here, it wasn't hot enough to melt your skin. So I quickly jumped on the computer to look up a morning activity. We discovered the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch was just a few miles from our house. I was a little nervous because it was so cheap, but figured we'd give it a try. It did not disappoint. In fact, it was awesome. We'll be back several times this month I'm sure. Tons of bouncy houses, hayrides, photo spots for every cartoon character you can imagine, and the coolest hay maze I've ever seen.

I'm in the middle of reading the Harry Potter series for my second time ever, so I couldn't resist getting a picture.

Kung Fu Panda

This hay maze was seriously amazing. It's full of tunnels. We lost Fisher in it for a while, but he didn't seem to mind. And Tyler managed to crawl through it twice, which was amazing because some of the tunnels are tiny and I was worried it would collapse on him as he squeezed through.

Fisher hugging one of the Bubble Guppies

Efficiency

Jackson got a little creative with his number 4 worksheet. He saw a way to save time and he took it. His teacher made him start over. I would have given him a cookie. I'm fairly obsessed with efficiency, so I couldn't be more proud :)

When Jackson Steals Your iPhone

Today is Fisher's birthday. He's 2. Can you believe that? 2!

But that's not what this post is about. I'll have birthday pictures in a few days when we're done with our week-long celebration.

Today, I want to share a couple the gems we discovered when we were browsing through Tyler's phone the other day. Apparently, Jackson gets a hold of Tyler's phone and takes pictures and videos quite a bit. There were TONS! The video below is my favorite. It's the sweetest video I've ever seen. And notice how well the background music from a commercial fits in when Jackson whispers "I love you, daddy." Also, Fisher's famous "Oh yeeeaaah!" This video is a keeper. I can't believe our boys created it without us knowing. What if we had never found it?

This one's not quite as cute as the heart-warming video, but I'm pretty sure it's Jackson's first duck face selfie.

Happy 5th Birthday

Jackson is 5!

We celebrated early in Idaho with this cake.

On his actual birthday here in Texas, Jackson was in charge of his own cupcakes. They turned out beautifully.

Tyler had to work one of his 36 hours shifts over Jackson's birthday, so we had a pretty low key celebration. We made cupcakes and then I took Jackson to Chuck E. Cheese for one of our favorite $5 evenings. The next day, when Tyler got home, we gave Jackson his present, which was a new bike. I'm sure we'll post pictures or video at some point.

Idaho in Photos

Tyler had to start his program on Jun 24 (my birthday), and we didn't close on our house until July 22, so the boys and I decided to stay with family in Idaho for a month. It was such a fun way to spend part of the summer. So here is a photo summary of what we did.

Hiking at the top of China Peak with Grandpa Hawkins

We later realized there was a rattlesnake just a few feet from us

4th of July Parade

Silly faces with Aunt Lindsay

Sleepover with the Landon cousins

Happy 5th birthday

Aunt Whitney... these boys got so spoiled while we were in Idaho

"I'll catch you"

Grandma's pantry was Fisher's favorite hang out. We'll never know how much food he secretly ate in there.

The heat was exhausting, but nothing compared to what we're experiencing here in Dallas

At the top of Scout Mountain. I know everyone says this, but I REALLY miss the mountains. Texas is so painfully flat.

Outer Limits with Grandma Hawkins

Fisher's nap spot in the front of the boat

Jamie wakeboarding... barely

Jackson driving the boat

Kevin, Jamie, Jackson

Jackson and Shaefer being SERIOUS super heroes

The Pocatello Zoo

Skyping with Daddy for the birthday cake

These next few pictures are from Seattle right before we left

Last trip to the Children's Museum

Before

and After

On the very long drive to Idaho (although not as long as the drive from Idaho to Texas, which Tyler and Tyler's dad did so that we wouldn't have to. We were SOOO grateful)

butterfly