It's That Time Again!

Yes, it's time to play catch up.  I figure I need to do it before the baby comes or else I'll just get more backed up.  So here is what the Ricks have been up to the last couple of months.  Enjoy!

Fog Willow Farms

This past weekend we headed to a pumpkin patch at Fog Willow Farms.  Such a cute little place.  It wasn't a true pumpkin patch.  They basically just had a ton of pumpkins lined up or in crates for the taking but it was still fun.  Our friends and neighbors, the Holts joined us too.

There was a large haystack play area for climbing that was surrounded by a little balcony where goats lived. Genius. The girls went on pony rides which they loved. It's a good thing Jocey's friend Lizzie was there because I don't think Jocelyn would have gotten on that pony if Lizzie hadn't first.

After the pony rides, we went on a tractor ride around the farm. Again, the kids loved it, especially how bumpy it was. Then we went to the animal petting area. We saw a really fat and lazy pig, bunnies, and got to feed goats. The goats were a little aggressive trying to get the food but Jocey eventually warmed up to them.

That's some pig!

 

After feeding the animals, we looked at some llamas, chickens, and more pigs and bunnies. Then we headed over to some toys. Jocey learned how to rope a steer.

 

Also, Jocey, along with daddy, participated in a rubber ducky water race. Pumping that water is hard. After playing, we had lunch and then played on the playground. On our way out we grabbed a couple baby pumpkins to decorate and headed home. I love this time of year and can't wait to start baking pumpkin goodies and celebrate Halloween.

Labor Day in Rancho Cordova

The last couple of years, we have always travelled down to Monterey for Labor Day weekend and stayed with our friends the Gieslers.  Well, we changed things up this year and they came to us.  It's nice that we can actually have visitors stay with us because we have the space now. 

While they were here, we obviously had to watch the football games of Dave and Jordan's teams.  Yipee (insert sarcasm)!  We were able to get them away from the TV so we could take the kids to a splash park.  We BBQ'd that night and played games once the kids went to bed. 

On Sunday we went to church and then surprised the Gieslers by also inviting our friends the Wiests over, who we knew in Monterey as well but have since moved up north by us.  We had dinner and chit-chatted a lot.  It was nice to catch up.

On the last day of their visit, we headed to the Fish Hatchery.  It is the perfect place for children.  They loved it even though it rained on us and then poured on us.  Thankfully, they have a visitor's center where we waited out the storm.  But it kept raining so Dave went and grabbed some umbrellas so we could finish feeding the fish.  P.S. Right now is an even better time to go to the Hatchery because the Salmon ladders should be up and running.  So cool.
 

Jordan and Sunshine feeding the fish.

 

It was nothing but squeals of joy from Ames and Jocey.

 

 

Sitting in a fish egg.

 

We parted ways at the Hatchery and our friends headed home.  It's always fun to see the Gieslers and we can't wait for next Labor Day!

Trip to Tahoe

I finally made it to Tahoe.  We've lived here for four years now and just made it there.  Earlier in the summer, we had talked about camping with our friends, the Oakes.  Well, the Oakes finally took the initiative and planned a trip.  It wasn't camping but we did get away from life for a couple of days.  We stayed in a rental condo type place.  It was nice except for the 1000 stairs you had to climb to get to our place.  Ok it wasn't that many, but sometimes it felt like it. 

Anyway, our first evening there we went swimming.  It was actually a little chilly so we hung out in the hot tub most of the time.  And it was smoky from the fires but it cleared our last day there so we could enjoy the lake.

After swimming we had dinner.  The next day we played mini golf, went to a park to let the kids run around, and ate at a buffet.  Each night after putting the kids to bed, we played games.  So fun!

 

Our last morning there, we cleaned the condo and headed to the lake. It was so beautiful but cold. It was a quick trip but a nice little break.

 

 
When's our next trip Oakes?!

Summer Vacay

As mentioned in the last post, Jocelyn and I got to visit my family for two weeks this summer.  We had a blast.  Here's what we did (with picture overload included).  We went to a Naegle Family Reunion, hung out with my friends and their kids, went shopping, played with cousins who joined us a week into our vacation, swam at the Aquatic Center, went to Lagoon and Temple Square, visited BYU briefly, and just enjoyed being with family.  Now here comes the picture overload. Enjoy!

 

Cousins at the family reunion.

My friends, Chamrie and Holly, and their boys.

 

Playing with the water ball.

 

This is how we spend quality family time.

 

Safety first.

 

Girls night.  Grandpa and Max got to eat the popcorn with us.

 

These sweeties got their nails painted by Aunt Melanie.

 

Fun at the Aquatic Center.

 

Lagoon's Stroller Brigade!

 

Driving with cousin Jack.

 

All aboard!

 

I was so impressed with Jocelyn.  She was so brave on all the rides.

 

I can't believe how much Jocey loved this ride.  She went over and over again.  It's the kind that goes up and drops you.

 

Salt Lake Temple.

 

So precious.

 

My first encounter with a tarantula.  So sick!

 

As you can tell, we had lots of fun on our trip.  It's always so hard to leave but we know we'll be back and we'll have LOTS more fun again!

Home Improvements

Jocelyn and I went to Utah for two weeks to hang with my family (post coming later). Poor Dave had to stay and work but work he did. He put tile in our dining room. Seriously, why do people build houses with carpet in dining rooms? Our house was built in 2008 so it's not old. Anyway, Dave enlisted the help of his dad and some friends and their tools and the tile went in. They did a great job. See, take a look.

 

 

After we got back from Utah, all that was left was to put the baseboards back on and do some touch ups. It looks professional. Seriously who needs to hire help when you have such handy family and friends. Thanks everyone, we really appreciate it!