More Country Fair - Bouncer Slide

They all wanted in on the bouncer action. There was a regular bouncer that they all bounded around in for awhile and then there was this monster size one. All of them climbed (mostly) up to the top and slid back down again. Luke got a little assistance.

More Country Fair - Riding Horses

These were no pony rides, these were the full size things! The three older kids had fun riding the horses. If you know Anna's recent fascinations, you know this was her favorite part.

The Country Fair

A local church hosted a Country Fair on the night of Halloween. We raided the dress up box and headed down to enjoy some carnival games, live music, horse rides and candy. Lots of candy. Here are some of the shots:



Luke going for a hole in one.

Leah's masterful strokes.

Anna popping some balloons.

Jack knocking over milk jars.

Annual Pancake Breakfast

Turtle Township used to do one of these every year. The Pancake Breakfast. Yes, I really lived in a place where there was a township named after a turtle. It didn't seem odd at the time, but then being related to half of the people in my hometown didn't seem so odd back then either :). Anyhow, the Norco Fire Department had their Annual Pancake Breakfast a few weeks back and Derek took the kids. It was a chilly morning, but you can't be the small town feel of a good ol' pancake breakfast!

Oak Glen

Five years ago, when Anna was just two and Jack was a few months old, we took a couple hour trip to a small mountain town called Oak Glen that busts at the seams during apple season. We stayed in a nearby hotel and Anna got sick towards the end. It was a pretty miserable end to what could have been a pretty restful trip. We enjoyed it enough to try it again this year since it is only about an hour away from here and the kids are much older. Luke even managed pretty well without much of a nap that day. Wow. I didn't think I'd ever make it to a day like that-- napless kids! I actually have become very fond of naps and wish my kids would take them more now. Not likely.


Apple picking.

Anna was tall enough to reach some of them.

The real treat of the day... feeding the horses carrots and apples.

The little downtown village area has some shops and general touristy things set up. One of them had this manequin on the porch and the kids spent a lot of time posing with it for some reason.

How To Make Apple Cider

Fill your bucket, half with each kind of apple.

Drop them into the grinder.

Spin as hard as you can.

Turn, tighten and press out the juice.

Fill the metal bowl with fresh apple juice (cider).

Watch the bees enjoy your cider.

Wonder about the comment, 'Don't worry, the bees will be strained out when we pour it into the jug.' Also, enjoy sucking your finger before your mom makes you stop (again).

Pour it into the jug.

Take it home and enjoy!

Free Pumpkin 'Carving'

The itty bitty Norco Library (America's Horse Library) was built and decorated probably before I was born, and it hasn't been changed since. It's great with the olive green furnishings and all; it is almost back in style again. As part of our county library system, we make a weekly trip there to pick up the books we have put on hold. When we were there last week we noticed a sign for a pumpkin carving with free pumpkins for the first 50 kids. I put it on the 'maybe' list and it ended up working out to go.

We left a little early (we're 7 minutes away with green lights) because the kids didn't want to be late and miss a pumpkin. When we got there a surprisingly huge group had already gathered. We managed to get a few of the last tickets and waited for the doors to open. When we got in, we realized they wisely decided not to carve, but to paint the pumpkins. They kids had a lot of fun making a good old mess. Anna was very deliberate, as was Jack. Leah did a good job and Luke just stuck on as many stickers as he could after I took the paint away so the inch thick globs could dry before we went home.

Someone had made cupcakes for everyone, too, so they even got dessert before dinner. What a treat!


Jack putting on his hat.

Anna and Luke getting started. There isn't too much paint on Luke yet.

Leah carefully applying the paint.

Still at it.