Family hunt

Ever since we got Gus back from the trainer, and probably well before that even, Tanner has been so excited about pheasant season. Opening day was a couple of weeks ago. He has been out quite a few times. He wanted me to get an apprentice license, where I didn't have to do hunter safety and could just go with him this year. So I did that, weather was awesome on Thursday, so we went for it. 

We didn't see a ton of birds. I took one shot at one. He got one bird. It was so funny though because Harvey was riding in the backpack with Tanner (with earmuffs on) and when Tanner walked over to pick up the bird, Harv freaked out. Like terrified. Or maybe so sad we killed it. Haha. I don't know. He wasn't too thrilled for a little while after Tanner put it in the back of the best I had on either. He eventually warmed up to the idea. And mostly loved being outside with guns. It was kind of hard for me. All pregnant and out of shape etc. A lot of walking and a lot of uneven, thickly covered ground and a heavy shotgun. I'm such a wimp right now :( I don't know if I'm going to become some hard core hunter. Well - I'm pretty sure I won't. But it was fun to do something Tanner loves and be outside and with the fam. We stopped and he kept going for a bit. So then I did my duty as photographer. 

Still not so sure... But a few minutes later...

That's one cute little boy though, huh!?

Overnighter in Bismarck

We haven't been to Bismarck, ie temple, for awhile. We weren't planning on going the weekend we went but I got basically invited by some friends so they and we could have a babysitter. Unfortunately Tanner already had commitments that weekend so early afternoon Friday, Harv and I hitched a ride with the Jordan's and off we went. He did pretty good on the drive. For someone who doesn't do good in general on long car rides. They dropped me off Friday night so I could do the evening session and they took Harvey to dinner and the dollar store. 

He took a power nap at Texas Roadhouse. Then they picked me up and we all went back to the hotel. It was pretty late by the time we got checked in but not late enough for Harvey to have his routine hotel room partying. Pushing buttons on the microwave and thermostat, jumping on the bed, running around like a crazy person, etc etc. 

We shared a king bed and I wanted to be able to take a picture so bad because Harvey was basically sleeping across my neck or RIGHT next to me. And there was a LOT of bed leftover. We both finally fell asleep and did pretty good all night. He woke up early. We had breakfast and then went to the pool. 

He was fascinated by the kids going down the slide. And overall he wasn't. A huge fan of me having to help him. He wanted to go in the deep/big kid area but without me. So that was fun. As soon as I'd jump in, he'd decide he didn't want to. So there was a lot of in and out. But he was a riot in the shallow area. He was running around and belly flopping and jumping up and landing on his bum. Sometimes in the deeper areas so he'd go under. I'd rescue him and he'd keep going. So funny. 

Then I took Maggie's kids, Rosalie and Vaughn to the park while they had their turn. A little chilly but they seemed to have fun. 

Then we stopped at Wendy's for lunch and then Target in Minot. Oh boy. He had quite the meltdown upon leaving there. Yikes. But considering his fatigued state he did alright on the way home and it was great hanging with Maggie's fam and it was SOOO great getting to the temple again. It sucks it's so far away. A perfect short little trip!

SGBC

This is just a quick little post for my memory. My sister's and my mom and I finally finished our second round of book club (The Stoddard Girl's Book Club). It took us a little longer this round because, well, just because it did. Busy lives! But we are keeping it alive and will start a new round here soon...when my mom announces the new book. For yours and my information, these were all our choices:

Mom - The Rent Collector (awesome)
Me - The Art of Racing in the Rain (also very good!)
Heather - Flowers for Algernon (interesting and very enjoyable)
Julie - Orphan Train (so sad, but really good and well written)
Kathryn - Elantris (sci fi and weird and not my favorite but still interesting. Got a little more sucked in at the end but it was LONG!)
Laura - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (a fun, one evening read. Can't say I've read much by Dahl and I thoroughly enjoyed the style.)

We had a pretty good round this time. Excited for the next one!

Pumpkin Patch

This is the first year Williston has had a pumpkin patch and we didn't really know what to expect, but I had the Saturday off and the weather was perfect, so we decided to check it out. We went with our friend's the Mabeus' and it did not disappoint. It was in a cool area with lots of trees and they had a lot of stuff that was cool for little kids. Tanner and I were both really impressed and might have to make another trip there before it's over. Hopefully we have a nice long fall like last year!

Lots of cool pumpkins! It was really hard to decide because we'd pick a few out and then see other ones that seemed more cool, etc. etc. I like the 3 we ended up with. Hopefully have some fun with carving them in a few weeks!

They had a big corn box - like a ball pit but with corn kernels. Awesome. Harvey was a little unsure at first and had a hard time walking, but a few minutes into it, he was standing up and taking a couple steps and then would do a belly flop and laugh and laugh and then do it over and over. So funny.

The side effects of a corn pit.

The pit was probably his favorite. But honestly he had a blast at everything; zip line, duck races, slides, tire bounce, hay tunnel, etc. He had fun hiding in the hay tunnel and having me run around to find him - lots more adorable laughter.

Oh wait, maybe the duck races were more of a hit with the adults.

He wasn't quite tall enough to NEED to crouch down, but it was so cute watching him do it.

They had a big rope climb and I bet Tanner $50 he couldn't get to the top. Well, the rule was he had to touch the black tape at the top. I was mighty impressed with how far he got - practically the top - but unfortunately never got that tape. Darn. No dice. Or moola. I couldn't pull myself even off the ground - oops.

Trying a little photo shoot. He's getting better at knowing what's up and not entirely cooperating. He's always good to give out kisses though...

The bobcat wasn't part of the attractions, but that didn't matter to him. Our friends let us go up to their shop after to go for a ride in one. He was super excited about going but once it got turned on and it was really loud, he was a little unsure of it all.

Gotta hand it to Williston. It does surprise us every now and then with some of the cool, legit stuff that goes on, even way up here.