Signal Peak

Morgan and I took off in the Jeep today to find the top of Signal Peak.

Unfortunately we did not quite make it to the top. Though the trail was simple, not challenging it was beautiful. It turns out that Monday on Fordyce took a greater toll than I first realized. This time my tranny was leaking all over and my rear axle was wrapping up. I drove the trail in reverse for about a half mile to settle it back into place but had to stop the ascent.

This is when we decided to take a walk off the trail a ways and pull out the guns. Morgan had his 40 cal. Glok which was a blast to shoot. I of course brought the big gun; a $40 air pellet pistol that looks very real!

We are both shooting his Glok in these pics.

Yes, Morgan definitely knows what he is doing. I am willing to learn.

The Jeep had not problems coming back down the hill. Its begging me for some real attention soon.

I really do love the country up here! It makes me thankfull to be alive.

Fordyce Trail

Finally I went to do the Fordyce trail. Today was the first day that I took off work (except for Sundays) since the wedding. I decided that I could really use a little 4wheel therapy.
Fortunately for me I met a guy with a Scrambler that has an equal affinity towards wheeling as I do. Neither of us had done Fordyce so we thought we'd give it a try.
My good friend Ron joined us in his slightly modified YJ

This is the first obstacle (optional) I managed to do some pretty serious carnage here. I came closer to rolling here than I have ever. It would have been a long roll down the mountain.

In the process I popped a bead.

Nobody had any ether so we tried to reseat it with some brake cleaner and believe it or not it worked a couple of times. We just couldn't get the air into it fast enough to keep it seated. So on went the spare.

After swapping the tires I discovered that I had completely destroyed the tranny mount that I had just replaced last night! So time for trail repair #2. We took a small section of chain and robbed a couple of bolts from elsewhere to chain down the tranny/tcase to the skidplate. It worked great!

When we finally reached the first river crossing Tim took his Scrambler across first. He sits about three inches lower than me but is running 37's. He got about two thirds across when he hit the depths. The water went all the way up over his hood! He stalled out five feet from the shore. So he sends me next a "better way". I got started and about 1/4 of the way into it I hit the depths. The water went over my hood this time and the floor boards gushed with water. Thanks be for Fuel Injection. It wasnt pretty but I made it.

Needless to say there was no way Ron was going to make it so we did some scouting and found a safer way to get back. Tims Jeep suffered a couple of stalls getting back but made it with a little tug.
I definitely need bigger tires! And a snorkel.

Tims rig.

Movie Time

I found my afternoon relatively free today so after coming home for lunch the four of us went to a matinee. The boys have always enjoyed Madagascar so we went to see part 2. It was fun and the boys loved it.
After the movie we came home and had Brent and Morgan and Ilene over for dinner. Christi made a great shepherd's pie. After dinner we all went out to see Eagle Eye. Two movies in one day. It was a nice getaway.

Special Child

At preschool, they have "Special Child" which allows the parents to create a collage that tells a story of their child's life. After creating the collage, I realized, "Hey, this kid has a pretty- darn good life!" Aside from the collage, Calvin is a unique child in the sense he is so sensitive. He feels everyone's feelings around him. I think at times it's overwhelming for him and he doesn't know how to handle it. It can't be easy being so small and having so much emotion. I need to find the appropriate outlet for him. Where he can express his feelings. Wow! Is this my child or what?

Some Candids

Reflecting life while enjoying a lovely afternoon together out on the lawn.

Such pals! They share just about everything, well..... almost!

Ammon was seeing if this would take. It didn't last long, he's a bed hog!

Potty Training

I didn't know you could have two full moons!

Calvin is schooling Oliver here. "This is how you do it Oliver," Calvin says. Besides, who needs a potty when you have a perfectly good tree to pee on!


We ran out of diapers one day and I didn't want to run out to the store, so I told him no more diapers! Since Monday he has had just one accident in his pants. Luckily, it was only #1. He's still wearing diapers at night for now. But I am so proud of him, it was a lot harder and more expensive(rewards) to teach Cal! I'm waiting for the regression, it can't be this easy!

Pre School Halloween

Calvin goes to preschool at a local High School here. Students enrolled in the Child Development class use Calvin and other preschoolers as there subjects. Wednesday before Halloween, they had a party! The children walked around to various classrooms to show off their costumes and received some candy of course! Oliver was invited to attend and was excited that he was going to school with Calvin! I'm sure he like the candy prospect too!
Here Oliver dawns the whole Fireman outfit and Cowboy Calvin wore his chaps.

Here is my little Hero! He actually starts more fires than he puts out!

If you look closely, Calvin is holding his crotch. Yep he has to go to the bathroom. Or it could just be an adjustment after a long days ride!

Halloween

Happy Halloween!

We went to our South African friend's (Claire&Gary) neighborhood!
It was like a block party, there was masses of people tricking for treats!

This night, Oliver decided he wanted to wear his Batman pajamas and his Firemen boots. Earlier he had his Dark Vader mask on. I let him make his own decisions when it comes to things like this, it's just easier and makes everyone happy!

Calvin was a Cowboy! He talks about his new boots and how he wishes that he could show Paxton!

Here is the whole scary clan, well actually they're all so cute!
Isn't Halloween so fun!

Clarie and I were the only festive ones who dressed up. However, I was so bummed.....I was a witch and my hat came up missing. It was in the car on the way there and then it mysteriously dissppeared? Maybe some Halloween ghost stole it from me!!! Well I find out later, as we drove off our friends found it under our car! What is a witch without her hat?

Couple of Characters

Two new-aged agents have joined the division who have an unique flare!

Meet agent Fancy Pants!

And none other, but Agent Fly Cool!

And this is there beat!

Bishops

Need I say more?

Hay ride and I mean we are sitting on hay on our way out to the pumpkin fields to find the most perfect pumpkin!

Delivery boys! They sell fresh organic squash. Don't haggle them, their serious about their vegetables!

This would make a great time out room!

While panning for marbles, Oliver got his shirt wet! He wasn't anticipating that!

Head and assistant controllers

Cal took over, he wasn't satisfied with production

Oliver found a new venue...train conducter

Pumpkin popcorn pit-stop! Party!

Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival time at our church. We kind of lagged on the picture taking this time. It was a fun event. It included a Lasagna cook off which Christi entered and won 1st place from me.
There was a variety show put on by the youth and finally a trunk or treat out in the back parking lot.

Unfortunately for Calvin no masks were allowed so his storm trooper costume was quite incomplete. Oliver shed his fireman stuff off as soon as he got his candy.

Fall Is Here

We made it out to the local (6 blocks away) pumpkin farm.
Its quick and easy and the kids always love it.

The boys seemed to like this wagon, and honestly... I kind of like the idea of it.

This year mommy and the boys went with our good friends, Jerusha Freeman and their four girls.

We usually do the tour of Apple Hill by now but we are still going to try to get up there before Thanksgiving.