Labor Day Weekend Hoorah

As Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer, we weren't about to let it go down without a celebration of friends and fun.  When looking for friends and fun, look no further than the Hess'.  

Saturday we loaded up the car and headed north to Longmont for an overnighter.  They invited over a favorite babysitter for our combined FIVE kiddos and we headed off into the sunset.  Literally.  We teed off at Haystack golf course just as the sun began to call it a day.

Keith, Carrie, Stephanie and Geoff.

The course was perfect.  It was very woodsy (AKA gorgeous views with complementary mosquito invasions) and we loved it.

That night, Geoff and Stephanie introduced us to the Greenbriar restaurant just north of Boulder.  We LOVED it!!!  The food was amazing and we had a great evening of catching up.

The next day we were headed to Fort Collins for a BBQ but we didn't have to be there until 2:00 so we spent the morning with the Hess family.  At 8 AM, they had the pool filled and the kids were diving in.  Oliver's favorite was to run from the far side of the yard, run and jump into the pool.

Watching the kids creativity was highly entertaining.  If I recall, this was a boat, on the picnic table.  Was the baseball bat the pirates canon?

Ahoy Matey, there is a stow away in the hull of the ship.

Kellan and Keith had gone to the brewery where Geoff works to load us some mash for the cows.  They had just returned and Kellan was thrilled that the Playskool car was in need of a test drive.

Jonny found the Pirates dingy and sailed away.

Then, it was back to the pool.

Oliver couldn't get enough of the pool and the WARM water!!  Those Hess kids don't know how lucky they have it with hot water from the hose.  Later at the BBQ, Oliver requested warm water for the slip-n-slide.  I had to let him down and inform him that the Hess' are the only friends we have with warm outside water.

The kids are always happy to belly up for snack time.  This is usually the only time that they are all standing still in one place.  You'll notice that Kellan and Jonny are taking full advantage of hoarding the snacks while the big kids smile for a photo.

Evelyn (6), Kellan (2), Jonny (1.8), Oliver (4.9) Freddie (4).

Just before we headed out for our next adventure, we went inside to pack our stuff and clean-up.  I'm not sure that I see either occurring in this photo but aren't they so handsome?!

Miss Evelyn is always one for adventure and a photo op.  This girl is a hoot!

The kids thought the pool and backyard time was a good fun but little did they know, the party was just getting started.  It was time to head for the farm that Geoff manages!!

As the cows peered at us, wondering when they would get their fresh mash...  Kellan stared at the cows wondering how to get their fresh milk into his bottle.

(Going to the farm wasn't on our agenda so we weren't completely prepared with regular water bottles.  When on the farm... bottle water for your two-year old in what works.)

Oliver was quick to jump on the tractor with his Daddy.

Yes, he had his hands over his ears.  Always Mr Safety.

Kellan and the cows watching the action of Keith and Oliver mixing the mash.

The day on the farm didn't come without a job.  Today's job was to move the cows to a field down below.  What better way to herd cows than to lure them with a bucket of mash?

Kellan didn't have any interest in riding on the tractor. He had his eye on the four seat ATV.

We strapped him in tight, secured his sunglasses, told him to hold on tight and Away We Went!!

Meanwhile, Freddie was cruising the harvested hop fields.

Evelyn was tearing up the dirt roads.

Stephanie, Kellan and I were herding stray cows.  We found a Mama and Baby who were in no hurry to giddy-up to the rest of the herd, so we helped them out.  Mama trotted right along but baby cow took his sweet time.  Stephanie has so much compassion that she thought she should walk along little Mr while Kellan and I herded from the comfort of the ATV.

Happy together again.  Plus, see the white spots on the right?  Those are four goats that ran around like a bunch of teenagers with a free hall pass.

To the left you can see Keith and Oliver delivering another load of mash.

Oliver loved the tractor, he even got to drive.

Give a wave, young farm boy.

Kellan saw the fun that Oliver was having and he wanted in on some of that action so the boys traded spots.

Give a wave, Kellan.

Third verse, same as the first.  Kellan and Daddy went back for the third and final load of mash.

Meanwhile, after a detailed lesson from Evelyn, Mommy and Oliver took a spin on the four wheeler.  Evelyn was quick to point out all of the warnings, one of which was that it wasn't built for two people.  I told her it was OK this time and we quickly moved on before she noticed a weight limit too.

Oliver and I LOVED riding the four wheeler together.

Yes, I know that our family is probably the only one who sends their boys to the farm in their Gymboree best while Momma sports white shorts.  Remember, we didn't have this outing in our planning process.  Forgive us!

Oliver and Mommy loving a day on the farm!

We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the hop field deck and then the guys went out to finish up a few tasks, complete with their fresh brews from the brewery of Geoff's employment.

When I asked for a nice picture of the guys, this is what I got.

I suppose, this is just how guys communicate.

I'm sure those are words of endearment.

Ahh... buddies.

After all of that... we took a quick baby wipe bath in the car, wiped of the dust and sweat and headed to Fort Collins to BBQ with the Sandersons.  After a full day, this was a great way to round it out.  We had a fabulous time visiting and catching up while the kids played on the Slip-N-Slide.  As we were getting ready to leave, I found Oliver, Keith and a few other boys in a heated foosball game.  Oliver and his partner won big time.  Keith's partner just looked at him like "dude.  I thought you were the ringer.  What's up with this?"

What a great weekend!!!

But wait... it's not over yet!

On Monday, we had the pool closing party.  We are sad that it is already time for the pool to close as we have thoroughly enjoyed having it so close.  It was so much relaxing fun that we didn't even think to take pictures.  What is this world coming to?

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!