Pumpkin Patch + Chili Cook-off = Pumpkin Chili

Sunday was so, SO much fun!  A year ago, our small group did our first ever chili cook-off.  It happened to be Halloween that day, so the kids were all dressed up and we took them around to a few houses.  Recognize this little football?

This year, a few of us went to Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch in Hampshire before the cook-off.  It was pretty chili (apparently that was the theme of the day), but luckily Parker had his sweet lion costume on to keep him warm.  He loved wearing it.  He would run his fingers through his mane, and his tail wagged as he walked around.  He drove some trucks and tractors, pet some crazy animals, and took a train ride. Talk about a sweet pumpkin patch!  I wasn't expecting it to have exotic animals, a mini train, and a giant rocking chair.  I wouldn't mind making that a tradition now, too ;)

After the patch, we headed to Katie and Nick Borst's for the 2nd Annual Chili Cook-off.  If you know me at all, you know that I'm not a fan of chili, and if you know me even a little bit, you know I don't enjoy pumpkin-flavored things... So what did I decide to make for the cook-off?  Pumpkin Chili!  From what I've heard, it was pretty decent.  David Martinez took the gold again but they were all very delicious. (Again, this is according to everyone else.  I filled myself on cornbread, kit kats, and apple pie ;)  Parker likes chili, too!

(My camera ran out of battery, so I'm waiting to get these pictures from my friends.  Coming soon!)

We played a quick round of catch-phrase, had lots of laughs, and just enjoyed spending time together.  These friends are a true gift from God!

Walking

About 2 weeks ago, I took Parker to a park and he decided to walk!  I usually take one of his hands and help him around, but not anymore.  He let go and walked all over the whole park.  My mouth was hanging open the entire time.  He went from taking no more than 10 steps at a time to exploring everywhere in the matter of minutes.  It's like he saw all the other kids running around at the park and decided it was time for him to do that, too.  I love watching him walk around.  He likes to chase me and race me to his toys.  Oh, and he always has his right hand in the air. 

One day, Ryan, Parker and I were all outside on a blanket and Parker just started wandering off.  He had a little trouble in the grass, so after several steps he would fall down.  Then we would watch him stick his booty in the air and stand up and go some more.  It was quite funny.

Life with a toddler is pretty fun!

Family Photos

We were also able to take some great family photos while we were home.  Again, taken by Ryan.

Parker (1) Alison, Ryan, Mom, Dad, Alaina (6), Hunter (4) Natalie, Nathaniel, Deb, Mike

Videos

Parker said his first 2-syllable word while we were hanging out at the farm.  Can you tell what it is?

Tractor!  (Tac-toor) It's the first word he says when he wakes up in the morning

and he says it about...100 more times throughout the rest of the day.  It never gets old.  It's so cute!

Eating a cider doughnut at the orchard.

Riding in the combine with Papa.

 

A Heavy Heart

Over the past few weeks, I have been filled with an overwhelming amount of peace, and can feel God's love as if his arms are wrapped around me.  I have been joyful, energetic, and extremely happy.  Today, however, I have a heavy heart.  Perhaps I've reached a new level of intimacy with God.  I'm realizing that as I am "on top of the world" there are people around me who are struggling, hurting, and in need of a Savior.  Not just random people I see at the grocery store, but some of my very best friends and people I come in contact with on a regular basis.  If I am able to enjoy and embrace life only by the grace of God, then why I am I not sharing this with everyone I know?  If a relationship with God can give my friends the peace and strength and eternal life that they long for and need, why have I known them for so long and never invited them to church?  Why have I not shared how He has provided for ALL of my needs over and over and over again?

Some scripture that has convicted me lately.

1 Chronicles 16:23 says "Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day." 

Psalm 27:1 says "The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?' 

Isaiah 12:2 says "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense."
I sing to the Lord, but do I proclaim His name?  If the Lord is my stronghold, I have no reason to be afraid of anything.  I say that I trust God, but do I fully trust him, meaning I have no fear? 

Hebrews 4:12-13 says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

It sure is living!  Every time I read it I realize something new or understand things a little bit deeper.  I am also reminded that God is the only one I answer to, and if His love and salvation is as important as I believe it to be, then I better start sharing it with others!

Ross Family Harvest Fest 2011

For the past several years, my siblings and most of the Ross cousins come home for the long Columbus Day weekend to help with harvest. Well…my brother and Ryan and other male cousins help, the women bring them food, ride in the combines, graincart, and semi’s, make applesauce and frost cookies ;) It is one of my favorite weekends of the year.


Aunt Bonita came over to play when we got home Friday afternoon. Then we had supper, and I took Parker out to the field for a ride with Papa in the combine. I wasn’t sure how he would do since it requires sitting still for a good chunk of time, but he did pretty well. We only went down and back once, but that took almost 30 minutes. First he sat on my lap for a while, then he played with his tractor, and then Papa let him sit on his lap and drive the combine. I’ll let you guess which of those three was his favorite! Halfway back he got restless and went from Papa’s lap, to mine, to the floor, (repeat) until we made it back to the car ;)

On Saturday, we played a lot and Ryan took one-year pictures of Parker. You can check them out in their own post (One Year Photos!). We got to ride with Papa again that night and he made it down and back twice! Sunday we went to church, ate a yummy taco dinner, I went to a baby shower with my mom and Deb, and then we came home to have Parker’s family party.

As if Friday, Saturday and Sunday weren’t fun enough, we decided to fit everything we possibly could into Monday. We went to Edwards Apple Orchard in the morning, ate beef stew for lunch, made applesauce, frosted cookies, played outside, and rode in the field the rest of the day. I can’t think of any better way to spend a beautiful Fall day. The weather was so perfect all weekend and it was a great time had by all.

Future Farmer

I could really see these two taking over Ross Farms someday.

Applesauce in the making.

Deb churning the apples with the guidance of mom.

Caught you, Alaina!

1-2-3-4 Who Are You Yelling For?

I-L-L…..I-N-I. If you’ve ever been to an Illini game, you know exactly how this sounds. This, along with every Marching Illini song, cadence and cheer were something I heard several weekends every fall while my sister attended U of I. Before this, my dad had always been a big fan, but those are the years when my love for the orange and blue began.

Several years later, I am still a super-fan. I’ve gone to a handful of football games since Nat graduated, but not for about four years now. Luckily, she was able to get 4 FREE tickets to the homecoming game vs. Northwestern. I would’ve been thrilled to go no matter what their record was, but going in to this game, Illinois was 4-0 for the first time in 60 years. It was a battle, but they came out with the victory and we witnessed history. Illinois became 5-0 for the first time EVER (Side note – they are now 6-1!). How exciting that we got to be there!! My sister, mom and dad all went. We had a great time walking through the places we had once walked so frequently, talking about funny times, and just remembering a unique season of life.

The best band in the land.

Next year we're going to bring the whole family and tailgate!

Funny quote of the day that we laughed super hard at…apparently it’s a “had to be there” moment, but I bet Nat will laugh when she reads it ;) “Paper….Piece of Paper!”

One Year Photos

Taken and edited by our very own, Ryan Glendenning.



FYI - Ryan didn't enhance the color of Parker's eyes.





We Like to Party

On Sunday, our small group came over to celebrate his birthday. The kids played, we opened presents, grilled out, and ate blonde brownies. (I wanted to save the real cake smashing for his family party). He totally loved it, can you tell?

Nick pushing Ella and Paker

Opening presents

Josiah eating a gift bag =)

Tehya being a cutie.

Ella: "Move over Parks, I'm driving!'

The following Sunday, we had a family party. Parker ate pizza for the first time and of course, loved it! He also ate his monkey cupcake designed by Daddy. (Long story short, I made one lion and my monkey face didn’t look so great. So I finished the lions and Ryan decorated all the monkeys. He is a man of many talents!) We sang Happy Brithday while Parker clapped his hands. We blew out the candle and Parker dug right in and ate the entire thing. Good thing we didn’t give him a bigger cake, because I’m pretty sure he would’ve polished off whatever we put in front of him. He had a lot of fun playing with his cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great aunts and uncles, and great-grandparents. I think I mentioned this back when he was dedicated, but it’s just so uplifting knowing that your child is loved by so many, and we as parents are supported as well.

"Mmmmm pizza.  Never had this before."

Beautiful weather for an outdoor party!

Lions

The Monkey that Parker demolished.

Mmmm cake!  I've never had this before either!

"Here Lena, eat this ball."  Sweet wagon from the Glendenning side of the family.

Crusin' in his new wagon with Hunter and Alaina.

Parkers 1st Birthday

Whenever I hit a birthday or anniversary of something, I get really nostalgic and replay everything that happened in those upcoming days to whatever took place.  That’s exactly what I did the whole week of Parker’s birthday.  I’m actually still doing it - remembering those first two weeks of Ryan being home, figuring out how to change a diaper, nurse, comfort, give a bath, and be a mom!  While those days were precious, I am very happy to be on this end of things. 

Parker must’ve noticed that I had been excited and extra cuddly all week, because he woke up at 4:00am on the morning of his birthday!  In my head, I thought “this is going to be the beginning of a fussy day.”  I had a lot planned and wanted to enjoy them with Parker.  Turns out, he just wanted to spend some time with Daddy.  Ryan had not seen Parker since Monday night due to early mornings and late nights at the Fire Academy.  We brought Parker in bed with us when he woke up and he cuddled with Daddy for the next half hour.  When Ryan got up, Parker got up.  I tried putting him back in his bed, but he wasn’t having it.  He didn’t want to play or eat, he just wanted to watch Daddy get ready.  We said goodbye at 5:00, I put Parker back to bed and he fell asleep without a peep until 7:00. Isn’t that crazy?! 

He spent the morning playing at the babysitter’s and him and I had a special lunch date at Chic-fil-a after I picked him up.  Then we met up with some of my bff’s to go to the Brookfield Zoo.  The weather wasn’t all that great, but we bundled the kids up and had a blast.  There weren’t very many other people at the zoo, which was kind of nice. 

Parker and Ella on the slides

The stroller brigade.  Josiah Haskell, Parker, Elliana Martinez, and Tehya Knapp

The next day I went to the Illini homecoming game (see future post), so on Sunday, we finally got to give Parker his birthday present we were so excited about!  After he ate breakfast, we wheeled out his brand new cozy coupe 4x4 truck.  He instantly crawled over to it and I don’t think he left it until it was time for his morning nap.  It’s so fun to give your kids presents =)  He pushes the truck everywhere, honks the horn, 'drives' like a crazy man, climbs through the windows, opens and shuts the door, stands in the tailgate, puts things in the cup holders, and pretends to fill it up with gas with his finger.  I'd say he likes his birthday present.  

Ryan is stunned by the amount of directions!

He spends a lot of time in there!  Apparently he likes holding pudding cups, too.