FireFighter Extroidanaire

In other Masselink Household News, Travis started Fire Fighter School today. So, for the next 6-or-so months he will be tied up with school on Monday and Wednesday nights. We are very proud of him, as evidenced by this huchungus Peanut Butter Cookie waiting for him upon his arrival home tonigh. yes. a lil nutty. but he liked it. :)

Pumpkin Picking and more Pumpkin-y Stuff

This past weekend was THE PERFECTEST WEEKEND to go pick Pumpkins. So, Travis, Adalynn, and I traveled to Dorr and met Scot, Heidi, and Mason and Nana, Jerilynn, and Naomi for a fun little fall adventure at the New Salem Corn Maze.

*

I dressed Adalynn a 'lil too warm. Poor child roasted under a long sleeve onesie, sweatshirt hoodie, AND winter coat. But she handled it well.

The chillun's rode the ponies - new for this year. Seriously, how cute is that? She SO needs a pony.


Then we took a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch. Once there the poor 'ole tractor driver, in green overalls, had difficulty understanding that we did NOT want to walk the corn maze, only the Pumpkin Patch. But thats ok, it worked out better that way.

Except it meant that we got quite a workout carrying out pumpkins. Gotta tell you though, it rocked seeing all green, white, and gray/green pumpkins. And the gourds? Nana and Heidi acquired quite the wild array of gourds. And Hubbard Squash. And they are beautiful. Go God!

I tried quite hard to snap a great picture of a happy Mason. But, he doesn't like to smile for me. Pooh. Instead, he gives me a look like, "No pictures for this cool dude." Check it out.

Once back to the barn, the girls and Mason played in the cornbox. Pretty cool, and they enjoyed it.

And we enjoyed this...

Mmmmmm......

*****

So, Sunday Travis, Adalynn, and I (and Ryan) met at Mom's house to put up her new garage door opener. While the boys did a GREAT job in the garage, Grandma, Adalynn, and I walked to the Meijer Gardens and checked out their pumpkins.

And Adalynn played with a Really Big Cymbal (just don't let the sculpture-ist know that i called it that).

Still though, the pumpkins ruled.

I love fall.

My First Real Live Footy-Football Game

My first Football Game Ever was the Caledonia 78ers team. My neighbor Brett played almost the whole game. He plays really good, but he got hit a couple of times real hard. and they lost. pooh. I sat with Daddy for a while.

But, I really really enjoyed watching the cheerleaders and clapped along and tried to say the words. And I rocked at it.

I'm going to my second football game tomorrow night, hopefully, if the weather holds out. I'm going to watch Northview and East GR play. I need to cheer for both sides because Grandma Linda teaches at Northview and Daddy went to East GR. So either way, I win!

Canning

Here's what we ended up with:

Applesauce 14 Pints

Chunky Apples (Mac, Jonagold, and Gala) 4 Pints and 5 Quarts

Chunky Apples (Cork?) 7 Pints and 2 Quarts

Half Peaches 12 Pints and 4 Quarts

Chunky Peaches 5 Quarts

Stewed Tomatoes 11 Quarts

Marinara Sauce 6 Quarts

Stewed Tomatoes with Jalepenos, Onion, and Green Pepper 6 Quarts

Salsa 5 Quarts 6 Pints and 5 Baby Jars

Hope that's enough!

Apple Picking

So...Adalynn's 1st Apple Picking was Friday Sept 20, 2008. And I haven't been able to blog about it yet because I've been peeling apples, cutting apples, and squashing them into applesauce. Then canning. And canning. And canning. BUT, I digress. After all, the real star here is 'lil Miss Sweet Pea McGee, right? And here she is...

First, we picked the apples.

Of course, we had to taste test!

But Grandma had to teach her.

And with my 3 toofers, she tasted them gooooood.

and then carry them back to the farm...

and take pictures with Aunt Amy and the Cow.

(cause Adalynn says "Moooooo!" now...)

Next on the list...the pumpkin patch.