Memoirs of a Martin: McMartin Family Fun Weekend

This weekend we were fortunate enough to spend not just one, but TWO full days, with our awesome friends Melanie, Jonathan & Jake. Have I mentioned lately how glad I am that they're back from Geneva? Because I am. Melanie is such a great Mama role model. I tried to think of some type of role model that Jonathan or Ryan are for one another but fell short. Way way short. The truth is that they bring out the high schooler in one another, but luckily their stellar wives balance them out. ;c) Reunited and it feels so good. Melanie & Jonathan's pergola roof may feel differently, but that's a story for another day, isn't it? I know that I should probably split this into 2 separate posts because it's going to be picture-heavy, but you know what? It's about to be single mama week and Emery is asleep. So I'm serving you up a 2-for-1 special instead.

This past Friday, October 25th, Ryan and I both happened to have the day off. We planned to try to hit up a pumpkin patch for the cliche fall baby-frolicking-in-pumpkin pics that have been cluttering up your newsfeed. Clearly we needed to earn that parenting merit badge. I mentioned the idea to Melanie who was totally on board and mentioned going to the Oil Ranch because she had heard good things. Earning the let-your-kid-sit-on-some-animals and feed-some-animals merit badges on top of the pumpkin one? Yes please. Melanie somehow convinced Jonathan to take a half day which decreased Ryan's grumbling quotient and all was right in the world.

We arrived around 1:30 juuuust in time to miss the 5 jillion buses of field trips thanks to Melanie's expert sleuthing skills. This left us 1.5 hours for a photographing melee. It wound up being the perfect amount of time for 2 male adults, 1 pregnant lady, 1 toddler and 1 7.5 month old to trapse around. We had an excellent time and I'd totally go back to earn some other parenting badges in the future. Enjoy the evidence of our toils below.

Looks just like the original, doesn't it?

Little Red was just Emery's size. She's really wondering where Zelda the princess is.

Jake perfecting his cowboy skills for his Halloween costume.

Trying to capture a picture with the animals in the petting zoo was more difficult than you would expect. I think they were scarred by the buses and buses of elementary-aged kiddos who were there before us.

Just some chicks checking out some chicks.

Emery looking a little underwhelmed by Miss Daisy.

In case you were curious how difficult it is to get a decent picture of the two of them, behold exhibit A. Of 5 attempts, this is the best one.

Mama & her love bug.

Mama Mel & Mr. Jake.

Daddy & his princess.

Yo, cows. Where you at?!

These cows were not afraid to get fresh.

So proud of Jake for being a brave little cow-feeder.

Too young to feed the cows. Not too young to be held awkwardly in the air in front of them.

Which one of these is not like the others?

Although it's not evident 30 minutes into what should be her naptime, I think she likes us. At least that's what I tell myself.

Maybe I should rethink the above theory?

A glimpse into our future. If I think photographing an infant is difficult, photographing a toddler looks impossible.

There we have a little smile. Why, you ask? Because she's looking at Jake. Duh.

The pumpkin patch was full of Emery-sized pumpkins. There's my smiley little boogie.

Merit badge: earned.

Seriously just want to eat her. About as much as it looks like she wants to eat that pumpkin on her left.

Practicing for his strongman competition.

The next day, as a reward for their good Daddy-ness, the boys watched the A&M vs Vanderbilt game over at Melanie and Jonathan's while Melanie & I witnessed pringle-smashing, played referees between Jake, Emery and Murphy and just generally corraled the little ones. After the game, while our little bosses napped, we were treated to some delicious hamburger/hotdog goodness by the host/hostess with the most/mostess. Could we be more spoiled? Probably not.

The night before we learned that Melanie and Jonathan's neighbors throw a huuuuuge Halloween shindig. I'm talking HUGE. They spent a week transforming their garage/side yard into a haunted house. There were 2 bounce houses. A food truck. A make up artist. It was some serious stuff. After the game because the weather was so dreamy, we sat out in their front yard and watched all the excitement coming to fruition. Unfortunately, Ryan, Em & I had to leave before the festivities really kicked off, but luckily we got to scope out the haunted house before we had to head out. It also gave us a great excuse to put Emery's costume to good use. I heard from Melanie later that night that the party was every bit as awesome as it looked like it would be. Mad props to their neighbors for all their creativity and energy!

Thank you so, so much to Melanie, Jonathan and Jake for playing all weekend with us. Pumpkins, scarecrows, a ranch, a haunted house and football? Doesn't get much more fall than that. You guys are the best and we love you to pieces. I look forward to the next McMartin family fun day.