Fall at the Farm

Last week we took a trip to Old MacDonalds Farm in Humble. We've been wanting to go for years and had a great time exploring with some buddies from church.

 

We knew this place was for us when we heard it had a train! The deer frolicking around the tracks were a bonus.

 

Ian was delighted.

Ian and Joseph didn't trust the animals in the petting zoo. Apparently it was less intimidating to place feed on their backs than near the snout.

 And Joseph would stand as far away as possible while stroking them.

Joseph didn't care for the petting zoo part -- but he was rather taken by the llama. "Can I hold him?" he asked.

 Later I found him watching the cow. He's standing like a cowpoke, isn't he?

A family picture by the big red barn.

Most of the animals weren't interested in the feed. The goats were only interested in the bag.

There was stuff everywhere for little boys to climb and explore.

And we couldn't ask for better weather. I love Texas in Fall.

One barn was filled with hay and had a rope swing. Ian loved it!

Joseph did not.

I loved how the tin walls looked. What a handsome little guy!

A couple towheads waiting to ride a pony.

Joseph loved it! I held on tight to his hip while we took a tour of the corral.

Ian rode around without me and had a grand old time chatting with the quiet horse guide.

Ian asking the peacock to spread its wings.

 Joseph touched nearly every pumpkin before selecting "the one". He'd find one he liked, then carry it over to another one, set it down and pick up the next. Over and over. He finally selected one with a very long stem.

Surprisingly, Ian was very willing to pose around all the fall decorations.

Then we took the pumpkins on one last train ride around the park. 

Some parting shots of the boys looking like turkeys. 

Are you convinced?

Happy 2nd Birthday, Joseph!

Last Friday our little Joseph turned TWO! We started the day with the traditional Larson Family Birthday Picture.

 That morning Ian had taken it upon himself to wake Joseph at 6 am! After I heard them romping around in Joseph's crib I went in there to get the picture. And got a few of Ian as well.

 Since we had such an early start on the day, we got to have a birthday breakfast with Dad! We had blueberry pancakes. Unfortunately I set off the fire alarm while making them. So Joseph covered his "ears".

We also had some time to open a present, which worked perfectly because we wouldn't be home that evening to do it.

Do you think Joseph was excited with his present?

 With all those train tacks you can build an impressively long line!

That afternoon we went to Olive Garden for lunch. Joseph devoured almost a whole adult plate of orecchio pasta. And half a dozen breadsticks. And a bunch of salad greens. He has not yet outgrown his hollow leg.

That night we all went to Kelly's Pond for a birthday camping trip!

 By the time we had camp set up and were ready for cake, it was already completely dark. Here's Scott carrying the cake up the hill from the car.

 Joseph attempting to blow out the candle, and a helpful brother waiting in the wings.

This is about how the night actually looked. There were real bugs flocking around the fake bug cake.

Despite being covered in "buggies", the cake was pretty good.

Cake by lantern light.

All the woodland creatures cleaned up the cake mess by morning. Perfect!

Thanks to some classless individuals who decided to make camp at 10 pm, then laugh loudly, clink beer bottles, discuss Elton John and play music until 5 am, we didn't sleep well. Joseph was also a bit chilly in his pack n play and was restless all night too. He and I both slept better once he snuggled into my sleeping bag with me. The next morning we took a nature walk and packed up. It was actually a really fun quick trip though. And the Shipley's doughnuts and kolaches we picked up on the way home made our sleepless state bearable.

Joseph had a great time "driving" the logs. I think our new family tent in the background is bigger than our first married apartment.

 So far there is no hint of the Terrible Two's. Joseph loves his big brother and is learning to fight back when he is wronged by Ian. Joseph talks beautifully these days and has the cutest conversations with Ian. He's cheerful, observant, nurturing, silly, an excellent sleeper (still 12.5 hours at night and 2 hour naps) and will eat nearly anything in large quantities. He loves his pacifier and yellow "banket". He works his fingers through the holes in the knitted blanket for comfort. He loves animals and babies and trucks and bugs and anything Ian is interested in. He still snuggles and hooks his wrist around your arm when you carry him. Joseph, it is so fun to be your Mom. We are all so glad you joined our family two years ago!

Farewell to Summer

 Our beach trip was bumped from summer to early fall this year, making it the perfect "farewell to summer" affair. The weather was warm enough for swimming, but it was cool enough to be sure that fall was really on its' way. The misquotes were out in abundance (have you ever seen ones with stripes?) making us think that all the summer abatement programs had, well, already abated.

We spent some time swimming and BBQ-ing at the clubhouse pool.

Another huge hit was the lazy river. 

Joseph could go around and around for hours, just like last year.

Ian and Joseph were the envy of every other boy when Scott threw them repeatedly up over his head and into the water. As soon as they'd spit out all the water they'd sucked up, "Again Daddy, again!"

  But we also got in a lot of time at the beach. I am happy to report that not only does Joseph consider himself a Californian, but now he also refers to any body of water as an "ocean". Even a dried up pond.

 See? The weather was gorgeous in late September.

But there was enough wind for some incredible kite flying.

 Joseph and his special friend Ruby had a roaring good time at every meal. Unfortunately they were a poor influence on each other and lots of food was thrown. Fortunately Ruby is forgiving about Joseph's hitting habit.

 We were sad to bid farewell to Ruby and some of our Texas Family a few weeks later. If they ever decide to move back to Texas, we will take them!

This year Scott added something new that is sure to become tradition: buy a huge chocolate cake, cover it with candles, and let the kids take turns blowing them out. Over and over. It wasn't even anyone's birthday.

It is fun to think about how much has changed since we were there last year. Joseph had only begun walking, and Ian was only about the age Joseph is now. 

2010

2009

Summer Fun

 Ian took swim lessons with Ms. Lori. He was skeptical at first, but it was amazing how motivating that post-lesson lollipop was. After the first day, Ian said "When we go back, I want Joseph to do my swimming lesson but I eat the lollipop." He always seemed to enjoy himself once in the pool. 

Here they are singing the catchy "Learn how to swim" and safety songs. 

Ms. Lori tells us Ian is a "natural floater".

 Joseph enjoying a lollipop. I always kept him buckled in the stroller for lessons, and provided a banquet of snacks to keep him happy.

We played outside whenever we could, but this summer the heat index was rarely under 100. The boys usually consumed several popcicles and a whole lot of water, even during 20 minute play sessions in the early morning. 

The red-faced children photos from the summer won't upload -- so here are some from the cooler weather this week.

 The "fire boots" and cowboy boots were worn constantly this summer. They only took them off long enough to trade with each other. 

 Ian's "hat" was another common accessory. (It's actually a neat gift box my grandma gave me several Christmas' ago.)

One morning we took a trolley ride from the library to some fountains, where we picnicked and splashed around. It was hot but oh-so-much fun!

It was a very fun summer, though we have gratefully watched it give way to Fall in the last week. More pictures to come!