And what better receptacle for Halloween booty than a boot? 
After a long night of trick or treating you can't tell whether that is soot on their faces or chocolate. 
Actually, it's both.
The exception is this incredible baby elephant. I probably seem obsessed with it, but it just has so much personality, and the mom just seems so proud of it. I love intelligent, social animals!
And here's one more family picture just so we can show little baby cruncher all the things she just barely missed out on. Because as uncomfortable as she's making me right now, she is truly low maintenance. (I, on the other hand, must be fed every few hours, but not changed - as long as we stay near restrooms.)
Of course, Ma was there to keep their heads above water. 
Except when she helped put them under the water. 
But they always came back up. 
Floating things helped. 
With less than two weeks to go, Ma is living large. (Beached whale jokes are not appreciated.) 
Cole wishes he had a baby in his tummy. 
Or maybe not. 
pet calves,
and pick out your own pumpkins (any one you want, as long as you can carry it.) All for $8@.
At our favorite creek, you can stroll around munching on apples, get your feet soaking wet,
play a fast paced game of "who left their hand at the creek?",
and come home exhausted - for free! (And it's a great way for ma to forget about the looming socialists about to take over this once beautifully capitalistic country. But we'll still have our creek! - even it we aren't allowed to touch it anymore lest we destroy this fragile ecosystem with our grimy hands. But that's all topics for another time.) Just look at those happy, carefree boys!
I was loading up the clippings, and he just took over. And ya know, I don't bend over quite so easily these days, so I got the camera, and let him finish up. (How do you like our house number painted in blood red horror style on the side?)
It must be packed down every time.
Fuzzy kitty helped, too.
Just look at the intensity! If only there was a mere spark of that intensity when it comes to cleaning up toys and messes in the house. Evidently, he's overqualified for those jobs.
He dragged this heavy thing all around the driveway like a trophy, and WOULD NOT let Cole touch it.
and yummy apples (that could have been bigger than plums if only we'd watered the poor tree all summer.)
And sandbox, we love you no matter the season.
We are not "fair weather" sandboxers.
the "distant viewing" scopes...
which are especially fun when their best buddy, Mona, will lift them up so they can stare into a black hole. (We'd put a quarter in, but they don't really care about looking at the animals - just the scope.)
Other fascinating exhibits: hand washing station, sandbox, army jeep to climb on, restrooms, drinking fountains, a train, free stickers, and a hand stamp. All in one place!
OH! And there is the most adorable baby elephant there, so there's something for all non-two yr. olds to enjoy as well!
