The Great Pumpkin Patch

Out here in good old Nebraska there are farms and ranches everywhere you look. Its pretty obvious if you have driven across I-80. Corn and soybeans are pretty typical of what you will see, but there is a special farm just south of Lincoln. In a little town called Roca is a farm that grows alot of strawberries and pumpkins. Twice a year they open to the public. In the spring it's strawberry season, and in the fall it's (you guessed it) pumpkin season.



So last week we headed down south to the pumpkin patch. They really put a good show on. I have only been to the Roca farm in the spring and was very suprised at their fall setup. There is plenty to do for everyone. It is built as a small town for kids to explore and have fun. They have a few haunted houses, to fit the needs of all age groups. A petting zoo, slides and bikes to ride, a life sized game of Candyland, and lets not forget the hayrack ride. This picture of Karli and Teagan was from the hay ride, I think they had fun.



Teagan was so excited when she got home from school with Karli. The first thing she told me, as she jumped around the kitchen, was that we were going to the pumpkin patch. She could hardly wait to get going. Once we were there she wanted to see and do everything. Except the monster mash band, I think the mummy and skeleton freaked her out a little bit.

Her Grammy Schmidt gave her a pair of Halloween pajamas, she loves the shirt so much that she has to wear it every chance she gets.

Teagan with her mini pumpkin.

Happy Halloween everyone.

The End of Summer and a New Bed

It has been a great summer here in Lincoln, but we are glad the hot weather is gone( hopefully). We finished our summer with two birthdays, a trip to Denver, and a new bed for T.K.


Chilling at the train station before Karli's birthday dinner.

Mama opening a few presents.

We spent a week in Denver to attend an old friend's wedding. It was great to spent time with friends, we even got a day game in at Coors Field. Teagan had a great time, we only had to walked around the stadium a couple of times.

When we got home we celebrated Teagan's second birthday. As you can tell her theme was Dora the Explorer. She's quite the Dora fan.

Teagan has never liked to go to bed in her crib, so we made the transition to a big girl bed. People warned us that we should keep her in the crib as long as possible, but Teagan has been ready for a bed for awhile. She loves to snuggle up in the pillow. It has been the best thing for all of us. It is so easy to read a few books, get a kiss, say goodnight, and turn the light off.

What a Beautiful Day

Southeast Nebraska was blessed yesterday with one of those top 10 days of the year. Sunny, 70 degrees, and the most important no wind. Well maybe a little wind, but anything around 5mph is considered awesome. After a rainy week I had the day off and decided not to waste it. After the girls left for school I packed up the belly boat and headed out. I began my day by targeting monster bluegill and crappie, with plenty of success. They are always fun on a light fly rod. The water is still pretty cool, and the bass bite has been fairly slow. So I waited for the day to warm up before I went searching for those 20" Large mouths. So I headed for the west bank and hooked six in 15 minutes. I didn't find that 20", but they were all over 14". The biggest was a fat healthy 18.5". That big beauty bent my 4wt. fly rod straight to the surface of the water. After those fish I headed home, and spent the rest of the day with my favor baby girl. You guessed it we ended up playing outside all afternoon into the evening, 7:30 bedtime was not happening last night. She's paying for it now as she has been napping all afternoon. Got to love those afternoon naps.

Big boy of the day

Happy Mother's Day

To all the moms' out there I want to say, Thank You. Especially to my mom. I would not be half the man I am today if not for you. So here's to the salty veteran, and the new mom of 20 months. Love ya both so much.