The day has come. The couch finally arrived and that means only one thing. StarWars. (I was actually amazed that the couch actually made it up there. There were a couple times where we really had to scratch our head to figure out how it was going to get up there. Thanks to the neighbor and an extra set of hands and muscles! I dont think he will say "sure"to any favor we ask of him ever again. We did feed his family that night! Pizzas all around!)
Pat promised the boys that when we got the couch and the tv our first movie we would watch would be StarWars IV, which is really the first. A little confusing for the 6yo but they are catching on. There was no talk of the CloneWars, JarJar Binks. This was the real thing. I guess we are featuring one a month so in six months they will be up to speed and know it all! Let the force be with you.
The rest of the weekend was spent with our cousins Grayson and Zachary...oh, and their parents too. Jamison actually took a liking to little baby Zachary, fed him and was pretty proud that he was able to get him to stop crying at times. Couldnt get him to change a diaper. Peter, still not into babies.
While Matt is off taking pictures at a wedding, we took the kids to the apple orchard. I was told that they had a bad pollination year...bummer because I am all ready to make apple sauce, apple cake, apple muffins and apple pie!
There were enough to fill a couple bags and snack on a few but that was about it but we still had fun!, Zachary had so much fun he fell asleep.
A trip to the apple farm would not be complete without carmel apples, cider and apple doughnuts.
After a well needed rest we took the Van boys to Stewart Park. It was a little chilly and i THOUGHT that bringing buckets and shovels would distract the boys from the lake and just play in the sand. I thought wrong.
Rain boots were filled with water....pants were soaked...so we took it all off!
Then we had to take it really all off! They were not getting into my car as sandy as they were.
The IronMan event was on sunday so we spent some time on the front porch cheering the riders on!.They had the most beautiful day for this event, but I still think they are all crazy to swim 2miles, ride 112 miles and run a marathon. Good Gravy! The kids picked their favorite color and cheered for the riders with that color bike and/or jerseys. I felt bad for the riders in pink, so that was the color I chose.
On sunday we took the whole crew on a hike through Blue Mounds State Park. Matt and Kim decided that they can shoot for the medium hike...i think Matt would have reconsidered if he know he was going to have Grayson on his sholders for half of it.
We made it to the tower! And we all climbed up top! Peter was still a little nervous about the heights but he made it to the top!
I dont know, which way did he go??? Thanks Matt Kim Grayson and Zachary for coming we had a great time!
Love the giant pumpkins, for only $350 it could be yours! 
Jamison made his "witches brew" with snakes, bats and brains. I passed on the opportunity to taste it. 
We played pumpkin bowling. It was a little rainy, so unfortunatley we did not play a whole set. Peter got some air on his! 
This was the bowling ball graveyard. only 1 or 2 smashed pumkins. 
We were close to having a nice family photo....and then there is Peter's expression. 
They even had a corn maze. Not as big as the other one...but we did not have a map and we got turned around a couple times! Maybe we should have had a map. 
At Gma's house we spent time painting the mini pumpkins and gourds. I have to say, we have some spooky ones! 
Earlier in the week I went with Peter's class to help rake leaves at a retired teacher/neighbor's house. Found out that it was Pat's 3rd grade teacher. She remebers him as a good listener. When I told Pat that he asked..."Did she know I was deaf?" Oh, you have to love the Mount Horeb moments. 
These kindergarteners and 1st graders are sure fast rakers. I think I need to rent them to help with my house. But then again, with the wind we have been having we might not have to rake at all! Here's to hoping!
Jamison has picked tacos for dinner and for dessert...mint chocolate chip ice cream in colored cones. The green cones were a little disturbing, but tasted fine. We willl have to remember these for St. Patrick's Day. 
For his special day present he got Star Wars Droid Ship and tickets to the movie Legend of the Guardians, to be seen on their day off of school next week. We like Jamison Day.....Peter wishes for Peter Day.
Pat thought is was ok for Jamison to ride around outside in his underware. Good Grief! I am a little worried what he will do in college.
As a "thankyou" for watching Bosco, our friends brought back some ToyStory legos. We spent the night racing who could put it together faster....not to brag, Jamison and mom won, but it was not a race...but we still won. 
Halloween is coming fast, and we are getting our costumes ready. We scored some boot and belts from the local Savers to make the ObiWan and Luke Skywalker costumes complete. Now I have to finish sewing a few other parts. In the mean time, ObiWan and Luke are training to be Jedi. Jamison really likes the boots and was outside riding his bike with them. He thought is was crazy fun until he crashed. .
Bosco made himself at home and slept in Peter's room, he was so happy! It will be sad when he has to go home. 
The weather has been really warm and we even had to break out some shorts. This Jamison's best Urkle impression. 
Saturday we went to the Treinen Farm, a place where they boast having the largest corn maze in Wisconsin. The farm is pretty cool. This years pattern is filled with tesselations (Escher's mathematical concept of infinitley repeating designs that interlock, filling a page), Penrose Tilings (infinitley non-repeating patterns) and Fibonacci numbers (a series of numbers where the next number is the sum of the prior two). 
Now I am not that smart, i had to look up the definitions. Pat, on the other hand, was pretty excited, telling the boys all about the mathematical concepts. 
We did really well, and only got lost once. We were able to find each map and make our way all the way through! My picture isnt as cool as the overhead photo above. it was a lot of corn!
The Farm also had bunnies, goats, chicken, lions and tigers oh my! Jamison took a liking to the bunnies. He said he would like a rabbit. I reminded him that that is not possible, Wini is a beagle, beagles are bread to hunt rabbits.
The slides were bumpy and there were tractor tires all over to climb on. 
They had a pretty awesome set up. 
Jamison is making corn angels. We will have to hit this place up next year, it was a lot of fun! even though it felt like summer. 
The rest of the weekend was spent cleaning out the garage, car, back yard and barn attic preparing for winter. It is still hard to think that winter is right around the corner. At 80 it is hard to imagine. Instead of cleaning, Peter set up an obstacle course for is scooter. 
Pat gave Jamison a piece of tubing, he spent a long time jump roping and swinging it. Like an earlier post, who needs fancy toys when you have tubing!
Gma noticed a tree partially down, so the men came to the rescue. The cabin was not damaged and no one was hurt, so it was a very successful completed task! 
Torrie loves sticks. Peter loves dogs. A great combination for some fun! 
Momma water torture! Now it looks like Jamison is scared...but that is not at all the case! It started out as a playful threat in hopes to ward off the upcoming water fight but then is seemed exciting and fun. 
If you dont believe me, check out the smile afterwards! 
Another sign that the boys are growing up. I looked out the window and this is what I saw. Take notice, Pats hands are not on the steering wheel. 
Look at that smile on Jamison...and I think at that same time Pat is saying "TURN!"
Also this week, Jamison started his martial arts class again. He is VERY excited to get his gear package including his muay thai clothes and assorted pads. he started class with leg lifts, push ups and laps with a heavy ball. That kid is going to have a 6-pack in no time. 
Dear Santa, The boys do not need fancy toys for Christmas, just send them the boxes from all the other kids toys and they will have a blast. Sincerly, Mom
So earlier in the week i asked the boys who wanted to go to the game. Both said no. Then when I explained to them what happens at a game, and it usually involves soda, popcorn and a brat they both wanted to go. So I left it up to chance, a coin toss. Peter won the toss. I assured Jamison that he and dad would have a great time together doing really fun things at home. Peter's behavior was very quiet and reserved. I think he was WAY overwhelmed by all that was going on, or a little scared, I am not sure.
I was happy to see Big City Ray in his seats (the guy by Peter). There were also a lot of kids at the game, including an 11yo chatty boy who it was also his first game too. Even 4-F16's flew by! That was really cool and really loud!
There was a lot of action on our end of the field, I could not ask for more!
This was the Lambeau Leap for one of the touchdowns on our end.
And as promised, a bowl of popcorn...... And a soda. He picked out rootbeer, i dont like rootbeer. 
So i did not sneak any sips. While walking back down to our seats a man asked Peter if he could have some of his popcorn. And in a very loud voice (for even Lambeau) Peter shouted "no!" The man was a little startled and then assured him that he was only joking....Peter hovered over his popcorn not convinced. 
Final score 34-7. Packers came away with a victory! and Peter had a good time! He asked when he could go to another one. Hopefully I have steered him clear of the "purple side" 
Earlier in the weekend we went out to the farm! A little muddy but we were able to pick some yummy tomatoes, potatoes and broccoli!!! 
Jamison is ready for the new season of Survivor!!!! He has been wearing his buff every day since the first show! I am telling ya, he will be on season 42!