Oh Christmas Tree Farm

I took this picture out the window on the way.  I believe this is the desert right as you are coming to the hill down to Indio.  The clouds were so pretty that day.  We go to the Live Oak Canyon tree farm.  We when there for the first time when Teagan was almost exactly Gauge's age.  We haven't gone every year since but I think we have been about three times now.

This was new.  We didn't go last year so they may have had it then.  Ian went in with the kids because Gauge needed to eat and I didn't want to use tickets for myself that the kids could use for other things.  It looked like fun though.  Ian took lots of pictures while inside.

Children of the Corn?

Ian took this one because he knew I would like it and he was so right.  Such a gorgeous picture.  How can anyone live some where without mountains?

Just in case you didn't know.  :)

Jade looks a little concerned about that spider.

Jade had fun here.  She stayed in a long time.  The other kids there would help her go through.

Two of my cuties.

Teagan actually did this same slide when we were there year before last.

The kids are inside a giant pumpkin here.  They had so much fun.

This was by far the most exciting for Jade.  She loves animals more than anything.  First dogs then horses.

Teagan is having fun too.  He rode the ponies last time we were there.

I know I took a million pictures.  When the ride was over Jade cried.  She was so upset but we couldn't do it again or we wouldn't have tickets for the petting zoo.

While the kids were in checking out the goats they started to bring the food for the animals and they all started making a lot of noise.  Jade wasn't too sure about them.

Me and my lama.  Me and my lama.  Are going to the dentist today...a...a...a.

All pictures we try to take like this end of with Jade looking seperate from the group and either screaming or looking off in another direction.  Gauge is here too under the blue blanket.

Jade thought this reindeer was pretty awesome.

They have a tent set up full of Christmas decorations.  It's so much fun to look at.  I think Teagan wanted a picture of this tree.

I took a picture of this sign for a reason.  As soon as Teagan saw it he started with, "I'm thirsty!  I'm hungry!  They have refreshments you know.  There is a sign.  Do you see that sign?  Are we going to eat?  I need a drink?  Can't we get refreshments?"  And so on and so on.  I told him I had to get a picture because I was definately documenting this.  Kinda out of character for him.  He must have really wanted refreshments.

Here is the reason we came in the first place.  This is the tree we picked.

It was very cold so I didn't take Gauge out of the sling at all.  In fact I kept a blanket over him the whole time.  So I made sure to snap a picture of him.

We stopped at Hadley's for "refreshments".  I couldn't pass up a picture of this sign outside Ruby's.  Pretty cute!

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa John's.  That is Great Grandma & Great Grandpa for the kids.  We had a very nice dinner.  I was asked to bring pie.  I knew I would be so I just ordered extra pies when the Julian Pie fundraiser came around at Teagan's school.  The cherry pie was a hit with the kids.  I'm definately bringing one next year.  After dinner the boys headed out in the jeep to go shooting.  We didn't see them again for a very, very long time.  Teagan played and played with his cousins.  I tried to keep Jade with me.  I let her out of my sight for a bit figuring she couldn't get too far and Jessica found she and Clara taking off down the dirt road in front of the house.  I wish I had seen them.  I'm sure it would have made for a really cute picture.  Jonathan and Jolyn were down with the kids.  It was really nice to visit with them. 

Teagan with part of a gun he found at the old army base.

Jade playing with a dump truck.

Clara walking the dog.  I really like this picture.

Snack time!

Being silly.

Jade loved Jonathan and Jolyn's dog.  I think here name was Missy.

Grandma & Grandpa have a cat now.  Jade was so excited.

Jade and Clara

Cookie's mom & grandma

Gauge & Grandma John

Gauge & Papa

What more is there to say?  One of Gauge's favorite spots is sitting with his Papa.

Quartzsite Park

I remember one of Ian's cousins being down with her kids and her little girl was drinking diet pepsi.  I think Teagan was like one or two at the time.  Me in my new mom mode thought, "Oh my gosh she is letting her kid drink that!".  Lucky I didn't say anything because I would have been eating those words today.  I'm so over it.  We went to the park with Kelsey, Mitchell and Sam in Quartzsite.  Jade and Mitchell had taken our sodas and it made for a cute picture opportunity. 

I had no doubt they had a nice park in Quartzsite but I wasn't prepared for how nice.  This little town with hardly any children has two huge play structures.  One for little kids and one for bigger kids, swings and a merry go round.  Wow!  I didn't get a picture of the big kids one but it is huge.  It was a fun morning.  I should have taken more pictures.  I think we will go as a family sometime soon.

Jade's 1st Haircut

Jade got her first professional cut.  I've trimed her bangs a few times but that is about it.  Gloria has done my hair for years.  She does a really good job with fine hair so I took Jade to her.  I couldn't bring myself to cut off the length.  Her hair all all different lengths right now but it works out to a pretty natural layered look usually.  Sometimes it just looks wild.  Jade sat so nicely.  I think she was a little worried.  She didn't make a sounds until the end when she wanted her drink which she couldn't get to because it was under the drape in her hand.  Gauge got his hair cut around the ears and I had Gloria give me bangs and a trim.  Teagan and Jade got candy.  Ian was on his hunting trip so afterwards the kids and I went out to dinner.  I was a nice evening.