Ione Train for Fall Colors

Last weekend we just so happen to have tickets yet again for the Ione train ride.  We did this last year and we had so much fun that we thought it would be a good time and we should go again.  This time we also go tickets for our friends Jim and Jan so they would enjoy it as well.  The weather could not have been better and I think it was their last day where a T shirt would have sufficed. 

We got some good spots in the open air car.

The colors were just about at their peak and the Tamaracks all around us were glowing yellow.

Hello train hottie.  Nothing like a good looking woman and a big powerful engine to get your blood pumping and make you feel alive.

If this dam looks familiar to you, you likely need to get a life.  Yes, it was in a movie, but the movie was a flop.  If you remember the "Postman" movie with Kevin Costner you are likely one of the 10 people in America who watched it and have not tried to block that memory out of their mind.  It was filmed right in Metaline and some of it was filled in Ione and over this Dam as well.  We watched the movie this last year to see if any of it brought back any memories and it does really remind you of NE Washington.

Here is the ghost train.

Matthew loved to through the slats of the old railcar.

When you get to Metaline the engine has to disconnect, go on a siding, and then hook up on the back of the train for the ride back to Ione.

Matthew is such a cheeser.

James and Matthew have a good time together and nothing beats sitting on the railroad tracks and throwing rocks.

The train ride is a good time and even more fun if you have kids that are going to enjoy it like we do.  Nothing like a lazy day riding the train to rejuvenate you for another week of work.

Fall season is here

The fall season is officially here and the weather has turned.  You know it is fall when you have to blow your sprinklers out in preparation for the coming frost.  I thought it was a bit early for the sprinklers to be blown out, but when you neighbor does it for free, you don't really have time to pick and choose and kind of go with the flow.  During the process I found a couple of the sprinklers that were deficient and will need to be repaired before next year, but I will likely put it off as long as possible.  I hate....HATE... dealing with sprinklers.

James and Matthew went with Brenda on some kind of a MOPS outing to a pumpkin patch (although we have some already) and got a pumpkin.  James likes painting it.  Unfortunately it was left out during a little bit of a thunderstorm and it kind of got washed off.  I guess that means you can paint it again.

James can really be a ham sometimes.  When you look at this face you cant help but love him, but I will assure you it is a entirely different feeling and face at 1:30 in the morning when he refuses to go back to sleep.

James and Matthew had to try on their "Fall Flair" outfit for going to church.  Every Halloween the church has a reformation day fair and it is pretty fun for the kids.  James is bringing his trusty sidekick this year.

Here is James going crazy on his horse.

And Matthew is seen here trying to ride his horse, dressed as a horse.  He is always trying to sit on little trucks or this horse and it is so adorable it almost melts your heart.

Jana and Jason and Crew stopped by for a fun filled night on their way to the Midwest.  Brenda had so much fun she almost forgot about the fact she had kids that were going to wake her up in the middle of the night.

Yet another outing with mom where the boys got to go see a bunch of fire trucks and sit on some fire engines and a helicopter.  They loved it.  I have been working a ton lately and rarely have a Saturday off so it kind of stinks not being there to see the boys have such a good time.  I don't think I have had a whole weekend free since labor day.  I guess it is one of those things you put up with in the short term to win in the long term, but that rarely makes it any easier.

County Fair and James learning to ride his bike

The county fair was in town a couple of weeks ago so we had a chance to go.  We were stoked to be able to go and always enjoy a couple of hours at the fair and we also got to go to the Rodeo.  First of we had to go to all of the local animal and craft booths.

James and Matthew were amazed at the giant pumpkins, but when we got to look at the sunflowers I was a  little disappointed that I had a bigger sunflower at home...guess I should have entered it into the fair and I may have won a ribbon.

Jan and Jim  came with us and they got a chance to show James how to pig out at the fair.  He was not sure what to think when I asked him if he wanted an elephant  ear.  I think he got the idea when Jan started eating it and after that, there was no stopping him.

Matthew was all excited to see his brother riding a  couple of the  rides.

Brenda got a chance to go on the teacups and Jan said she took it easy on her.  Jan loves to spin all sorts of crazy.

Summer is coming to an end, but we have had a few days where it is still hot enough to get the old little blue pool out and go for a swim.  The boys have really got courage this summer when it comes to jumping in and out of the water.

Of course, when you get the pool out you also got to get the sprinklers. 

It is always a great sight on a summers night to look out over the valley and see the Spokane hot air balloon floating over the ridges.  Brenda of course would love to go, but I looked it up and it is quite expensive.  I don't think it is worth the money, but she assures me it is.  I will continue to stand my ground...I would rather actually go somewhere if I am going to spend that kind of money.

Nothing like running in the backyard to blow off some late afternoon energy.

I think James ran about 20 circles this night seeing how crazy he could act and if I would take a picture or two of him.  I of course obliged him.

Jim and Jan  were out of town for a couple weeks and found a couple of super hero sweatshirts for the boys.  Matthew likes to look through his mask that flips down over his head.

 

On another exciting note, a week or so ago we thought it was about time for James to get his training wheels off.  After some protest from him, we agreed that we would leave them on the bike but flip them up so they would be doing no good whatsoever.  The first time all I had to do was to get that kid going and off he was tearing around the neighborhood.  He drove all over in the past two weeks and has not really fallen even once.  He is quite the rider, going off road and now can go anywhere.

Here is the smiley boy himself.

This is a great picture.  I told his to go as fast as he could past me and this is the result.

Here is the quintessential Matthew pose...cute curly hair and thumb in his mouth.

 

Although his hair was so cute, Brenda thought it was about time to have his first hair cut. 

He is a little hesitant, but was a great kid on the chair...or so I am told.

He did appear to like having his hair cut, but maybe it was because he had two women doting over him.

I guess what I will end with is the dinnertime at the DeJong's house...all fun and games as always.