Pumpkin Festival

FALL - my favorite time of year! Schnepf Farm's Pumpkin Festival is one of the activities we look forward to each October. Though still hot at 93 degrees, it's a blast! We missed having Chrystalyn, Sandy, and kids, but we sure enjoyed Penny and her gang. As of a couple of weeks ago, we weren't sure whether they were still going to be able to come due to Tayden's broken leg. But he's doing much better and seemed to really enjoy himself.

We always make the kids start out with us taking their pictures. Not their favorite thing to do, but some of my favorite pictures of the whole year.



















Next is the carousel. Nearly 100 years old. Adults aren't even aloud to sit on the horses. Pictures don't show too many of Jacob's smiles, but I got one on this ride. It's kind of hard to see, but the girls are in the back of the picture and Cory and Jacob in the front.

My First Ever BLOG!!!

Okay here we go. I'm gonna try this whole blog thing. We had an enrichment called "preserving memories in the 21st century." One of the things they talked about was the advantages of online blogging. The draw for me was perhaps an easier more appealing way to quickly journal and attach photos. Scrapbooking was great when I had one kid but went out the door with number two. So I'm gonna try it this way. Time will tell if it works for me.

It's hard to know where to begin. I recently posted an update of my family on our Hulse family website. So I think the easiest thing would be to just post the same info here:

Makessa's now 10. She's a huge helper - a 2nd momma in the house! She is doing well in school and is involved in our community children's theatre production of Suessical. She's my straight and narrow girl. Always making sure we're praying and reading the scriptures. She's a great member of our family team.
Samantha is 6 1/2. When she was a baby she was so mild mannered. However she has quickly grown into the stereotypical redhead firecracker. That girl has a lot of power. I just hope I can keep her headed in the right direction, fighting for the good side! She is very, very bright, does exceptional in school, and plays soccer. She has one killer smile and a lot of charm!
Jacob is 3 already! My time flies! Man are boys a whole different breed! He's a lot of fun. He loves to play with his friends and go to preschool. Just like his dad he loves anything with wheels that goes fast or can jump high! He loves going to the sand dunes, riding the quads (BY HIMSELF!) and pulling wheelies on his bike (no training wheels!) He's crazy! However opposite his rough and tough side is one great cuddle bug! He's a real delight.
And just because I'm a mom I can't not mention my Calli. She came to us 10 weeks early in Feb of this year, 2007. She lived for a very short time and returned home. Her earthly visit was short but has forever changed our lives. I can often feel her helping our family team with great power from the other side. I miss her dearly, but have no doubt she is doing us much good where she's at. I love to go to the temple and have recently began doing family history work. I find a particular attraction to it because I feel we are engaged in a common work. It's something she and I can do together. There's a lot of peace in that.
Erick is doing well. He stays busy with our landscaping business (installation) - ELM Landscaping & Design. He has quite a knack for the design. In addition, he builds spec houses on the side. When he finds time (or as the case often is makes time) he'll either spend time building or playing on his sandrail. Now he's what I'd really call CRAZY! The jumps, wheelies and speed that man pulls off are out of this world!
As for myself... what can I say more than I'm a mom! I stay busy running the kids here and there, helping down at the school, playing outside with the kids, preparing for my calling (ward choir director - what were they thinking?!), keeping up on the house, and all sorts of this and thats! When I find (or make) the time I enjoy studying health, nutrition, cooking, and alternative healing.

Well that's all I'm posting for now. At least it's a start!