Shamrock Farms

Last weekend we packed up the kids and drove all the way to Casa Grande to take a tour of Shamrock Farms. We were super pumped to see (and smell) thousands of cows. Well actually we only got to see heffers hee hee. No boy cows allowed.


We were all taking in the fresh farm air while we waited for the tour to start.


Every dairy farm has it's own gift shop right? We resisted the urge to buy ten dollar magnetic cows. James just window shopped and we followed behind him picking up all the stuff he threw.


Tram time! We sat in the caboose.


We quickly learned that these cows have it made! I don't get half the luxuries that these cows do! Regular trips to the spa, pedicures, world class service??


We were impressed with the giant milk container , and sour cream tub (not pictured). Kind of made us thirsty.


I think we need to get James some sour cream punching bags for Christmas. They only hit him back once.


The boys even got to milk a plastic cow!


Our favorite part was when we got to see the milking room. We got to see the cows up close and the people at work who were milking them.


Here they come! The cows knew exactly where they were supposed to go. James was super excited and would even moo back at the cows.


These were the baby cows, not quite as cute as my boys as infants but still kind of cute.




Last stop on the tour was the petting station. We got to pet the babies. We each donned a plastic glove and pet the very timid babies.


Nathan got the tongue.


He was pretty excited about that.


The tour finale was a free container of milk, flavored or regular. Most everyone chose dulce de leche. We also got a famous Shamrock Farms ice cream cone.


James was all about the chocolate milk. He didn't want a single bite of ice cream!


All gone! That means it is time to go.

Chuck E Cheese Time

It is impossible to spend a week with gramma Mickey and not go to Chuck E Cheese's at least once. Little did we know, James was about to fall in love as soon as we crossed the threshold.


As soon as we walked in he saw Chuck E. the mouse and started laughing and clapping. Every time Chuck E. was out James followed him.


He even did the dance with the mouse when it was time. He was happy and he knew it so he was clapping them hands!


This was the only game James could actually play. He didn't know what he was doing but he just loved dropping token after token into the slot.


Time to refuel!


Chuck E Cheese has phones?? James found heaven on Earth.


More dancing


Time to cash in those tickets! James was really into putting the tickets into the counter machine. Each time his mouth opened really wide with concentration.


We'll be back Chuck E!

And just like that she is gone again

Gramma Mickey was in town visiting last week. Life is always that much sweeter when she is in town. Literally and figuratively, she never stops baking. She made cookie bars, a cake, cupcakes, homemade ice cream, a cheesecake, ribs, chicken, soup, coleslaw, and much much more. I think my dishwasher ran 27 times in the past 8 days.

Today we dropped her off at the airport and said our goodbyes. James started to cry as we drove off. I was sad too. I feel so lucky to have such a great mother in law and can only hope that one day I will be as close to my sons wives as I am to her.

She will be back in January for her quarterly visit. I'm sure the boys will be looking forward to her cinnamon toast and hot chocolate breakfasts, James will be telling Gramma how HOT everything is, I will be ready for one of Gramma's notorious walks, and Mike will be ready for mom's home cooking.

Scenes from Halloween

This year was my favorite Halloween of all. No work, no school, beautiful weather, and lots of family. Grandma Mickey flew into town on Saturday and we headed straight to my mom's house for pumpkin carving and trick or treating.


Newspaper makes pumpkin cleanup a breeze.


Yum, pumpkin guts.




The only snag we had was when Nathan's eye swelled up and he got hives all around it. We think he got some pumpkin guts in his eye and it really got irritated. Pumpkin innards and eyeballs don't mix.


Mom carved a werewolf howling at the moon.


James wanted to help too.


When he wasn't helping he was busy dumping sand in his hair.


Costume time! Marcus the ninja.


Nathan was a wrath warrior with an injured eye. He didn't like his costume because two people thought he was a girl.


Me, my honey bee, and my cute greaseless greaser.


Mickey can really pull off the witch. She kind of freaked me out with that face.


Angel the silly Cinderella.


BZZZZZZZ


Davy Jones.


Two psychos


We had a large trick or treat group. This is the first year that we all got together for Halloween. I hope we do it every year. It was a blast!


Sock hop here we come!


Trick or treat! James went to one house and as soon as he got a candy in his bucket he got it right out and wanted to eat it. So after house 1 he sat in his stroller and ate his sucker, happy as a little bumble bee.


Uncle Rick and cousin Daniel the ninja.


We went to all our favorite houses again this year. The super scary one, the one with the chili cookoff, the one with the live band, the one with the free cotton candy, jello shots, and new this year pudding shots! YUM!

This was the first year that all the kids braved the scary house and made it out in one piece and no tears.


Such a fun night, I am already looking forward to next year.