Latten's Farm: Apple Cider and Pumpkin Patch

Last night Everett woke up with croup.  James and I helped him breath by boiling hot water for him to breath.  Then James stayed up with him to make sure he could breath all night.  Thank you James.   

In the morning I went to get my braces put on.  Yep I have braces now.  I better take a minute to explain why I'm having braces again.   I went to see an orthodontist about braces to correct my bite.  The orthodontist said she could probably fix it by a millimeter or two but since it's about 12 millimeters off she recommended oral surgery.  So we went to the surgeon and he agreed.  Now I have braces.  We are hoping surgery will come in the spring and the braces will be off by next fall but it could take up to two years.  We're hoping it goes faster because we're not sure we'll still be here in two years.  However, we're stuck here until the braces come off so let's keep our fingers crossed.  

anyway.  after I got braces put on the plan was to visit a pumpkin patch, but since Everett had croup I wasn't sure we'd go.  When I got home James and I discussed whether to go or not.   We where sure we'd be able to go any other day and Everett seemed happy.  So we went.  

It was a wonderful day.  The weather was perfect, overcast and calm,  the kind of calm before a storm.  James stayed close to Everett while I followed the girls in there meandering.    

Gwenevere was excited to have a pumpkin inside a pumpkin

The girls enjoyed listening to the music and she even played "Whenever I hear, the song of bird"

Then it was doughnut time

apple cider doughnuts.  

I feel like I can never keep shoes on her feet.

James had to use the restrooms,  when he came back the girls where so excited to see him they ran to him.  

I got to cuddle my sickie boy while James was away using the restroom 

Finally we made our way to the pumpkin patch 

We where there for about 2 minutes when the storm started.  The rain came fast and was heavy.  We left the pumpkins and ran back to the car.  

We didn't really want to buy pumpkins there so the rain came at the perfect time.

The next day James took Gwenevere on a daddy daughter date to a little farmer's market where they picked up carving pumpkins for a 1.00 each.

 James even picked a few baking pumpkins for me since our garden did some kind of hybrid pumpkin squash thingy.  

   

Random Everett Quotes

Gwenevere:  "What is that smell?"
Everett:  "That's my booger!"



Listening to Children's Bible songs in the car
Everett:  "I don't like this music.  I only like going to Church."

At least he likes going to Church.

Everett:  "hey Grace, can we do stuff that we do?"

Happy Birthday Dumpa (Grandpa Roemhildt)

earlier this year James kept bringing up the fact that his Dad would be turning 60.  Finally he said we should do something for his birthday since he was turning 60.  I took that as "We should do something big for his birthday".  I called all the siblings and started planning a beach house rental.  Everyone was excited and happy to pitch in.    I debted weather we should keep this plan a surprise or let Dump know.  I figured it would be best to tell him in advance so that he could take the time off of work if he needed.  And since he was going to know about the surprise I figured he'd be a key instrument in planning.  

Dumpa suggested we rent a beach house in Yahats OR and so we did.  

The kids and I had just returned from Utah earlier that week and still needed time to recuperate.  We had planned to drive down to Portland on Thursday so we could slowly drive along the coast and play all day Friday.  But when Thursday came and we where still doing laundry we spent one more night at home and drove down first thing in the morning.  The drive was lovely.   

We where the first to arrive at the beach house.  We got checked in and then James went and picked up a few groceries.  the kids played games and I soaked in the beauty of the moment.  

Dumpa was the next to arrive.  He got in around 7 pm.  We where eating dinner when he arrived but we where so excited to show him around the house.

hahahha this is the "don't take my picture stare"

Gwenevere playing with her dinner.  

 After dinner we played some more games and read some books.  Uncle Austin arrived next and shortly afterward Rebecca and Max showed up.

after everyone had arrived (Uncle Daniel wasn't coming until Saturday night) We took a night walk down the street.  It was so fun to walk in an dark, heightening our senses to the world around us.  The walk was perfect.

James was super exhausted from the busy week

Then we came back and sat around until midnight with lights dimmed and views of the ocean in the distance as we visited about happy random things.

The upstairs loft (where our family stayed) had several empty cupboards so I unpacked everyone clothes and thoroughly enjoyed the easy of changing kids during our time at the beach.

The next morning Dumpa made us a wonderful breakfast, then we enjoyed a relaxing morning of puzzles and games before heading down to the beach to watch Uncle Austin and Charlie fish.

Gwenevere's drawing

 After Charlie was finished fishing,  Gwenevere had a turn.  The two of them fished side by side for about half an hour.  She was thoroughly enjoying every moment.

Meanwhile Everett and Grace followed Charlie and Miles off an adventure.  I enjoyed visiting with Max about his business and all the progress they are making.  It's fun to see how successful they are becoming because of their (Rebecca and Max's) hard work and dedication to their dreams.

and then she came and held my hand, only for a moment.  but that moment will be forever a remind of my love for her.  

Taking pictures for Dumpa.  

When Gwenevere was finished fishing James took her and Grace to explore the tide pools.  Everett and I couldn't keep up but we manage to enjoy the wondering far behind.  Miles and Rebecca stayed close to Everett and I for most of the time and we all had a wonderful time.  

wondering with Papa

At last we finally meandered back to the beach house.  Gwenevere helped me pill the potatoes while Papa prepared the ham for crock pot.  Uncle Austin provided lunch and we all played a round of Harry Potter Trivia

I love my big helper girl

Everett and I watched the game and ate lots of popcorn. 

 after our game we decided to visit the Heceta head Lighthouse.  

The short hike was beautiful

maybe on of my favorite views

I think everyone enjoyed the views

 Grace found a caterpillar and Charlie found some rocks.  Gwenevere had to jump in and observe all their findings indeed.

We attended a light house tour.  Apparently light keepers had plenty of time to read books.  but every 34 minutes they had to reset the weights.  each light house has it's own light signal.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching these two interact.   It's fun to watch them grow.  

 When we returned from the light house.  We finished making dinner while Grandpa bought brownie mixes.  Then it was time to eat.  I enjoyed all the food.  But it doesn't take much to make me happy.

after dinner happenings

 Then Uncle Daniel Arrived!  Yippee!

 we at brownies and visited late into the night.  

 After we put the kids to bed.  James and I went out for a midnight walk down the beach.  It's night to have built in babysitters.

 Sunday morning Rebecca and Max made a wonderful breakfast.  We packed up our belonging and took a few more pictures.

After packing up, we weren't ready to say goodbye, so we caravan to the Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center.  There were so many cool things to explore.  Around 1 pm we stopped by Moe's Resaurant and eat some yummy clam chowder for lunch.

Since Daniel was so tired,  Grandpa decided he'd drive home with Dan.  So I got to drive Grandpa's car.  I wanted James to have more time with the kids since we'd been away from him the whole week before, and since he'd be going to work the next day this was his only chance to spend some time with the kids.

We drove back to Red Grandma's house (Nancy Wilcox)  only to find out she had her kitchen remodeled.  She was so happy with the kitchen and I knew Grandpa Wilcox would want it written down.  She loves the new look.  It's what she's always wanted.  it matches her beloved delftware.

I had a wonderful time at the beach house and hope to do something like this again in the future.

Happy 60th birthday Dumpa!