The Great Pumpkin Party

Our pre-school had a Fall Festival last weekend and we took the kids. This is one of my favorite fall festivals in our area - because it caters to little tykes (no scary costumes). Hope you enjoy the pictures... Our resident super hero.

Our scary monsters (who would not leave their "heads" on).

Face painting. Check out those blue eyes.

Truck or treating. Ever done this?? The church provided members to open up their trunks in the parking lot- the kids just walked up to the open trunks and said "Trick or treat"... then they get candy. Pretty simple- it is supposed to be a safe alternative to the real thing. I think it is sort of funny - and contributing to child - hood obesity (JK). But seriously, it must have been invented by a kid - because they can fill a whole candy bucket in ten minutes of walking around a church parking lot. This is the efficient version of trick or treating...

Isaac loved it! But, he had to stop and sample everything.

What did I get?

We stayed until after dark and then enjoyed a lawn viewing (in the pumpkin patch) of the classic Charlie Brown tale.

Happy Halloween everyone... more to come tomorrow!

Women of the Bible

One of my favorite "extra- curricular" activities is serving on a Women's Leadership Team at my church. This year at our annual fall kick-off we decided to dress up like Women of the Bible to promote this year's theme"Real Women of God". Just for fun I thought I would let you see it... I am the red head. If you can guess each woman of the bible represented here - you can win a prize!

Fall Festival

A couple of weekends ago my(Shannon's) parents came for the day and we hit one of our favorite fall festivals. Here are a couple of our favorite moments... Nature walk.

"This tree is as big as a house!" (said by Ethan, with much joy)

The twins were fascinated with the snakes! A "zookeeper" was there handling this snake and letting people PET IT! Really folks, let's stick to a puppy!!

Livy loved the snake and even tried to kiss it!

In the pumpkin patch... my favorite picture of the day (because of Isaac's "No pictures please!" face).

My mom and Livy trying to hit the tennis ball in a shark's mouth. They did it (and they were the only ones we saw that were able to - it was way too hard for kids - but not for the tennis pro)!

Apple Picking

Thanks for all your emails and comments about my previous blog entry! I never knew one story could generate so much sympathy and laughter!!!! So that you don't think it is all dreary in Hootsville- I wanted to share a couple recent shots of the kids. We went apple picking with friends last Sunday. Although I do not have any pics of the actual apple picking (memory card was full)- here are several of the kids playing- they had a blast at this local farm. Hope you enjoy.

The family- about to go on a hay-ride. Ethan had a blast - bu the twins were unsure about it. You can see- Isaac did not like the noise of the tractor.


See the bruise on our happy boy's head??? Yet another minor ailment we have suffered through lately. This bruise 2 weeks ago and is still not totally gone.

Playing "Apple, Apple. Pumpkin" (Instead of duck - duck - goose) with Mrs. Melissa and friends while waiting for the hay- ride.

Ethan and one of his closest friends.

Ethan and his buddy on the rock.

Little lady enjoying the tire swing.

Why don't I blog more often?????

I think I have calmed down enough to write this post...

On first glance, you might think this is a cute picture of Liv's hands after finger painting. But, oh no! This is red nail polish.

You see- the twins have started climbing out of their beds and terrorizing the house. They used to be perfect 12 hour sleepers (down at 7 up at 7). But, no more. Now they get out of bed 20 times a night! (I exaggerate, but you get the point). Liv actually got up at 4:30 am one morning this week and headed downstairs to start the day-- um I don't think so little lady!!!

But, back to Tuesday afternoon...

I thought they were napping- they were so quiet- I even stood at the bottom of the stairs to listen for them (since they have gotten out of bed so much lately- despite consistent discipline). Then after they had been up there about an hour and a half - I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING. Something distinct... nail polish.

Livy and her sidekick (Isaac) had emptied about 6 bottles of nail polish on the tile in our master bathroom. They also pulled tons of stuff out of the vanity (including two pocket knifes and a set of curlers they plugged in - in another room).

To make matters worse- they were wearing new outfits. That's right folks NEW!! (Now, you have to understand I pretty much NEVER buy new clothes for the kids- we buy everything on ebay, at consignment sales, yard sales, or 2nd hand stores). But, because it was picture day at school - I had bought them ALL new clothing- new dress (ruined), new tights (ruined), new shoes (spared), new hair bow ( ruined), new pants (ruined), new shirt (ruined), new socks (ruined).

And, they tracked pink and red foots prints over the carpet in our bedroom. And, they ruined their favorite blankets and several "toiletry" items in the bathroom.

But, the real cost is my sanity. Most of the time I feel like I can barely keep up with "normal" responsibilities- let alone afternoons graced with nail polish destruction!

I love the twins more than I could type here - my kids were all answers to prayer - I begged God for all of them (and specifically for twins). But, thank God for breaks too! To keep my sanity this week they saw both grandmothers and I went out one night by myself (thanks to a great husband).

Hopefully, there will be no more nail polish disasters and I can blog about the "fun" life.

Moral, of the story- be careful what you pray for ;)!

Oktoberfest

Once a year we get together with our college friends for a mini "reunion" of sorts. This year we all met at our house. Two others families come- each with a couple of kids. We had a blast and I am always amazed how well all the kids get along and how fast the weekend goes. Here are a couple of shots.... nothing great really just proof of our awesome friends and of the general weekend fun. I kept forgetting to get out my camera.. so you will miss most f what we did this weekend - but at least you will get to see our cute kids.

John and Jamin at the fire.

Jonah, Lily and Ethan roasting marshmallows.


Ethan chasing fireworks in the back yard (I know you can't see them - I told you the pictures were not that good).

Checking out the fireworks.

The next day, Ethan is seriously impressed with Spence's "real" guitar. Doesn't he look like he is singing along in a songbook?




The big boys, Samuel and Ethan.


Cute Silas.



A little t- ball.

The boys having a hotdog dinner.


Lily. Our older girl in the group. One of only two girls out of 8 kids.

Thanks, for a great weekend guys. I can't believe we have to wait 12 months to do it again!! Sorry I did not get ANY pictures of the twins or the moms!!! Next year!!