Random Pics of the Kids

Kids were being really quiet one day... Walked into the other room and found this...
sitting in the dog crate enjoying reading a few books, the dogs sitting on the outside of the crate watching. CLASSIC!

Pumpkin Patch

I think we picked the coldest day of the month to go to the Pumpkin Patch this year. It was the only day we could do it, so we bundled up and headed out. The temperature was highs in the 40s, and the wind was blowing so hard. But, was had a fabulous time.

The kids love to play on the wooden train in front of the barn.

Out in the patch, most of the pumpkins were still on the vine. The ones we picked, I had to tear off the vine. A pocket knife would have come in handy.

C's favorite thing is the straw maze. Its small and dark, and located in a greenhouse, so typically warmer than anything else. He kept begging to go.

K loved the animals. No feeding them this year, but she was not afraid to talk to , pet, or touch all of them.
E hung out in the backpack with Dad the whole time. He was a real trooper and only got upset on the hayride. I think it was because the wind was blowing in his face (Dad had been blocking it for him before that).

I love this picture. Its on the hay ride back after getting our pumpkins. The kids were ecstatic to be able to pick some really great ones this year.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

I still have more catching up to do, and even more things have happened since then, but I wanted to write these few things down before I forgot.

This morning, before putting C on the bus, we were talking about some of the things he is doing at school. He told me they were working on their letters, and they should be doing their last one today. He asked me what I thought would be on the Z paper (there is usually some sort of dot to dot or picture for them to draw on each letter paper). I thought about it for a second and said "zoo, or maybe zebra, or even zipper" His response, "What about Zepplin?" I asked him what it was, and he proceeded to tell me that it was the thing that flies of the football games with GoodYear on the side. I told him that was a blimp. Then we looked up Zepplin. (the whole time I was thinking of the band, Led Zepplin, as was Drew. That was his response when asked what Zepplin was) Sure enough, my 5 year old was right. Zepplin is kind of like a blimp. It's official, my 5 year old is smarter than me. There is no way I could homeschool this kid.

Yesterday was the day they celebrated Halloween at K's school. She was able to wear her costume (which this year happens to be Sleeping Beauty) and they did some fun activities (more on that later.)
When she woke up and got dressed, she came and asked me:
"Mommy, do Princesses eat breakfast?"
Me: "Yes, K, they do."
K:"Which pincesses eat breakfast?"
Me:"I'm pretty sure they all eat breakfast."
K: "What do they eat for breakfast?"
Me: "What does this princess want for breakfast?"
K : "A Poptart, I am hungry."
So, the Princess got a Poptart for Breakfast before heading to school for the Halloween Festivities.

Birthday Party

Playing Catch up from September 2009
Every other year, we let the kids have a birthday party. This was the year for both C and K to have theirs. So, when I asked K what type of party she wanted, she instantly said that she wanted a Princess Party. OK, no problem. Who would you like to invite? Carter, Tyler, Avery, Nathan...all boys. Not so sure that a Princess Party would go over so well. So, I tried to make it a Prince and Princess party. Still not sure, since there were only 2 girls she wanted to invite. So, we went a different route. We went with a garden theme. We had flowers and butterfly and ladybugs for the girls, and caterpillars and worms and frogs for the boys. It was a beautiful day so we ended up doing most of the games and activities outside. We painted flower pots and planted flowers in them, played "pin the petal on the flower", decorated goody bags with lots of flowers and bugs, went on a bug hunt, ate dirt cake with worms, and overall had a wonderful time. We are so blessed to have so many friends that were willing and wanting to come and celebrate K's birthday with us. The kids had a wonderful time, and because it was mostly outside, it wasn't too difficult to put together.

The kids painting their flower pots
K and Emma laughing at the results from Pin the Petal on the flower.

Singing Happy Birthday with dirt cake.

Eating dirt cake outside. Good thing, someone sat in it, and it ended up being way messier than I had anticipated.

Of course, everyone had to help open the gifts!

K's Birthday

Playing Catch up from September 2009
K turned 4 at the beginning of September. On her actual birthday, she wanted to go to Chick-Fil-A for dinner. What better place to have chicken nuggets (her favorite) and a place to play? But, we had to make sure we had enough time to play. So, we got there early so she and C could play before dinner. After dinner there was ice cream and the we headed home for presents. Since she was having a party over the weekend, we let her open all of her presents from family on her birthday. She was thrilled with each one. It still amazes me how excited she can get over the smallest things.

K with all of her presents before she started to open.
I think this one was by far a favorite. A jewelry box with jewelry inside!

C helps K look at some of her new toys.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. We are so grateful for K and the light she brings to our home. We love her dearly. Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

Reds Game

Playing catch up from August 2009
We had a chance to go down to Cincinnati for a Reds game. The kids have never been to a major league ball game. In fact, I don't think they have ever been to a minor league game. We learned that baseball is definitely more exciting to adults than to a three and five year old. And, had we had a better view of the scoreboard, there would have been a little more entertainment for them. I think we would do some things differently next time, but it was worth the trip down and the memories that we made. I don't think the kids will ever forget it, they still talk about it. And, to top it all off, K almost got hit by a HR ball. She was sitting in the end chair of the row, and the ball hit the pole in the middle of the aisle right next to her and bounced off. Lucky girl that it didn't hit her.

Me, Drew and E at the game. C lent E his hat. Notice the other two in the background, not watching the game, having more fun with each other!
Drew, C and K

Trip to Texas

Playing catch up from August 2009
As mentioned earlier, we were able to take a trip to Texas during the month of August. The kids and I left a few days early and drove down to the Lone Star State so we could spend a few extra days with family. The kids LOVE spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and their cousins. And Jody is so gracious enough to let us crash at her place when we come. We had a wonderful time our entire visit. After two days in the car, and more fast food than we could handle, we arrived in Frisco to stay with Aunt Jody, Uncle Golden and Reese and Ryan. We were able to go to IKEA for a little bit of shopping, eat out again, go swimming at the neighborhood pool, go swimming at Grandma and Grandpas house, celebrate Ryan’s birthday, go to church, and have a huge dinner with all of the extended family. Grandma and Grandpa’s house seems awfully small with 14 adults and 11 kids all trying to find a place to sit and eat, especially because its too hot to eat outside. On Monday we went to pick up Drew from the airport and were able to spend a few days together as a family. Drew went golfing with Golden, Jeff, and John (the groom at the wedding). We spent time swimming some more, at the mall, and then swimming some more. (It was about 100 degrees outside, way hotter than we are used to.) We even had a chance to go to a great little place called Jump Town. It wore the kids out faster than anything I've seen.

C getting off one of the slides at JumpTown

E, Reese, K, Ryan, C watching TV one morning

E playing at the playland at the mall

Aunt Jaime swimming with Brynna and K in the background

E helping Grandma in the cupboard

We had a great time and can't wait until the next time we get to go back!

Jenn's Wedding

Playing Catch up from August 2009
In August we had a chance to go to Texas to see my wonderful little sister get married. We had a fabulous time (more on that to come later) but the highlight of the trip was definitely being able to see my sister sitting in the temple with her sweetheart. She was a beautiful bride. I know that Jennifer and Jon will be so happy together. We are so excited to have Jon as part of the family (even though he took Jenn so far away). Hey, I can't really complain, I don't live all that close myself. Here are just a few of the pictures from the wedding.

Jon and Jenn at the Dallas, TX Temple

Reese, C and K enjoying the lake before the reception.

Me, Jody (my sister), Johanna (my sister-in-law) and the kids enjoying a bite to eat. Hey, what happened to the guys?

Jennifer, Dad and Me

Grandpa and K dancing