Remlinger Farms - Pumpkin Patch & Theme Park Extravaganza

As I mentioned in my previous post, we headed to Remlinger Farms today. This place is awesome! We started out at the pumpkin patch. Ella just wanted to run around and jump in puddles (it was so muddy!!), but I kept her mind on track and after 45 minutes, we found our "perfect" pumpkin.

 You like her new warm-up suit? She picked it out yesterday:)

Then, we headed about a 1/2 mile down the farm to what appeared to be a market. Think fresh produce, more pumpkins, pies, jams, tons of yumminess. THEN, I looked to my left and Ella screamed with excitement. There literally was a gigantic theme park full of rides, farm animals, and some carnival food. So, we jumped in line and paid $16 per ticket to get 4 hours of rides!!! It was so cool!

 On the NW Canoe Adventure

 On the Tolt River Railroad Train

 Climbing in a firetruck while Mommy had a huge caramel apple, bag of kettle corn, and water in her hands

 Taking a break to eat the caramel apple. It was the best caramel apple I've ever had and I've had some good ones!

 Driving the car on the Antique Automobile Adventure

Then, we rode the spinning barrels (think Disney teacups) and Flying Pumpkins (think Disney Dumbo).

Up in the air on the Pumpkin ride

 Giving the carousel swing a try. Poor thing, it started and I noticed her belt was undone. She showed it on her face and the lady operating the swing quickly stopped the ride. Next thing I know, Ella was being escorted out. She had gotten scared and unsnapped the belt because she wanted off. So sad!

So guess what we did next?

We rode on a mini roller coaster!!! Ha! The first lap, she looked a little white in the face. But, the last two laps, she was all smiles. That was the only ride she asked to do again...and, we did!

After riding the canoe and train one more time, we checked out the barnyard full of sheep, baby chickens, alpacas, goats, bunnies, you name it. She loved it!

We basically closed the place down leaving 20 minutes before it closed. Ella had so much fun she passed out as soon as we started our drive home. We had a blast! We might have to go one more time next weekend because I think Daddy was a little jealous!

Girls Weekend

This weekend was a Girls Only weekend. Brian headed to Austin for a half Ironman race. We wanted to go so bad not only to see the race but to spend time with my friends, Kelly and Travis. However, since we just returned from Hawaii, I couldn't be away from work and the holiday prep madness another two days.

So, what did Ella Grace and I do while Brian was out?  

Friday night, we headed to the grocery store for dinner. After walking around aimlessly, we went home with supplies for Rotel dip, a bean burrito, ice cream, tomatoes, bananas, and some other randomness. I could eat Rotel for dinner! And, we basically did. We also bought those capsules that turn into sponge animals...man, I didn't realize they take forever to form and when they do, they are these wimpy little dinosaurs. Ella quickly ripped them all apart because they were so wimpy. Oh well, it was still fun to watch them grow.

 

 

Eating "i ceme"

Saturday, we watched Beauty and the Beast over and over before heading downtown for lunch and a little shopping.

 

Lunch at Mexico City Cantina

 

And, then we stayed up til like 11:30 because someone was really hyper...

Sunday, well, today, we headed to Remlinger Farms for what I thought was going to be a quick pumpkin patch run. It's about 45 minutes East of Seattle in Carnation, WA. It was such a beautiful drive - all the colorful fall leaves and farmland with U-Pick farms, pumpkin patches, and farm animals. After a 45 minute search for the perfect pumpkin, we headed back to the car. I was talking to Brian and told him that this patch wasn't as great as last year's but heard there was a restaurant on the farm and we're headed that way for some food. We took a right out of the pumpkin patch, drove a 1/2 mile, and what did we find?!!! - a small Disneyland! It was so awesome we stayed 4 hours! I'll cover that next post.

 

Oh, and I found a paci in my jacket and Ella quickly snagged it. I laughed at her putting it in her mouth and she took it out. I kept looking in the rear view mirror and she was shyly putting it back in her mouth. She wanted it soooo bad. So, I told her she could but only in the car and couldn't take it to the pumpkin patch.

 

 

We are now sitting on the couch with full tummies watching Winnie the Pooh.

 

We had a fun weekend, just us girls!

Kona & Kauai

October 7th, we headed to Hawaii for 8 days. First stop - Kona for Chris' Ironman World Championship race. Brian's family rented a house not too far away from the cute little town where all the shops and restaurants were. It's also where the race start/finish was so very convenient. I didn't see much of Kona but what I did see was pretty. Lots of lava rock making some pretty rocky beaches, but we all know I love all beaches and they were very beautiful.

Pooped after 9+ hours outside

 On our way to Kauai

The second leg of the trip, we headed the Kauai for 5 days. When there's sun and sand in my presence, those of you who know me best know exactly what I did the whole time...sit outside and do NOTHING!!! Other than 1 early morning of mountain tubing, I stayed at the resort and soaked up the sun with my little Ella. It was so nice! Just what I needed. I'll let the pictures do the talking...

 One morning, we went mountain tubing with Steph and Chris. It was really cool! Kauai's #1 industry used to be sugar cane. Now, it's obsolete, but we had the chance to tube down the water canal of an old sugar cane plantation.  We went through tunnels up to a mile long, all pick axed and some taking 6 years to create. We had the best guides - super funny! It was a really cool experience!

Kauai was very different from Kona - quaint, lush, and had a lot of chickens everywhere (kind of weird). It was very beautiful and reminded me more of Maui, but less people. 

Heading home and the last time we saw the movie player. Can you believe that in the time we got off the plane and realized we didn't have it on us, it was gone?! I went back on the plane 5 minutes later and couldn't find it. We lost her favorite movies - The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. So sad!

We had a great time in Hawaii with the family! Now, I can say I've been to Oahu, Maui, Kona, and Kauai:)