Halloween Fun 2013

If I had to sum up Halloween this year in 5 words it would be: BUSY, crazy, FUN, Family, kids.  I was a hard week, I won't lie.  There was just to much to do, to many projects that had to be completed, parties to plan, sweet treats to make, costumes to finish etc, etc, etc.  Halloween is a big event around here.  We love to help the kids come up with their costumes, often times making them.  But that takes a lot of work and planning and then some more work.  I also love to be involved with the boys' class parties.  This year I am the room mom for Tommy's class.  I volunteered to make not only Tommy's class but also Charlie's class their sweet treat for the class parties.  Let's just say that Trent and I were up to our elbows in rice krispie treats the night before the party. But the kids loved them, and THAT is why we do what we do. 

Kids, if you don't remember anything else about holidays and the traditions that we do each and every year.  I hope that you will remember that whatever we did we did for you.  To make you happy, to make you smile and to make you feel special. 

Charlie's Class Party 3rd Grade

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Charlie was the Red Knight Phantom from the Legend of Zelda

Tommy's Class Party 1st Grade

Tommy was the Golden Knight Phantom from the Legend of Zelda

Things to remember about Trick or Treating 2013:
* Penny demand to go home after about 30 minutes because she said she had "TOO MUCH candy".  What kid does that?!
*Charlie was just TOO cool to carry a plastic pumpkin to gather his candy. Sooooo, he choose to use his pillowcase like the "big" kids.  The funniest thing he said was "I can't WAIT to go to sleep tonight!!" Me: "Really?! Why?" Charlie: "Because then my pillow case will smell like candy" To funny!

Beautiful Fall Day

The children at Mulbery Farms 2013

Today was the most beautiful day.  The trees are all changing into their magnificent Fall colors, the sun was shining brightly with puffy white clouds against the most brilliant blue sky and the weather was cool and crisp.  It was stunning, really.

But the best part was that we were together as a family, all five of us.  The boys had the day off of school and Trent took the day off of work.  We had a flurry of activities but it wasn't rushed or hurried.  We set our own pace and really enjoyed being with each other.  Truth be told, Miss Penny set some of our schedule with her shrieking from the backseat of the car but we were late with naps so I can't really blame her ;)

We made our Fall rounds. Halloween decorations at the dollar store, homemade donuts from Patterson's bakery, pumpkins from Mulberry Farms and Halloween train ride and family fun at Magic Whooloween at Penitentiary Glenn.

This boy had just informed me that he would NOT be participating in some of the "fun".  It was far too embarrassing for him. I swear he turned into a teenager on the drive out :(

 Halloween train ride at Penitentiary Glenn is one of our all time favorite family activities.  We have been going for years and we all love it.  This was Penny's first time with us.  She loved it.  She said the train was "a little scary".  

Halloween: School Edition

 The boys both dressed up as Link, from the Legend of Zelda.  We had a lot of fun making the  costumes together as a family.  Charlie was afraid that people would think he was a fairy and laugh at him.  He insists that Link is not a fairy, even though he does have fairy ears.  Needless to say, no one laughed :)

 Daddy surprised the boys by showing up for the indoor parade.  Tommy later told me that he was "SOOOOO happy" because Daddy was there.  The picture above is of Tommy seeing that Daddy was there.  That little face just makes me want to get all teary eyed.

Being room mom for Charlie's class is so fun!  Monster cupcakes for the party...yum.
So thankful I get to share these memories with my boys and Trent!! So blessed!!

Halloween: Pumpkin Patch Edition

 I love to make traditions with our family.  Going to Mulberry Farms has easily become one of them! Infact, taking a photo of the children on the hay bales has also become one.  Our family has sure changed in just a few short years.  We are truly blessed!

 In order to pick just the perfect pumpkin, one must sit on it first.  The tooshie test ;)

 I am seriously so in love with this guy!  Seriously!!

Classic Charlie, being silly and pretending to fall of fthe bulldozer.  That kid makes me laugh!

Wildcat Hollow

 In mid-October Trent and I celebrated our Anniversary (which is in July) by taking a two day, 14 mile hike in the beautiful Ohio forests.  It was the first time either one of us had attempted such an adventure and we were happy to do it together.

 We hiked through dense forest, open fields, up, down and through large caverns carved though the lush folliage.  Every twist of the path, if there was a path, lead to a new adventure. 

 We carried all that we needed for the two days on our backs in packs.  Thankfully, I had a gourmet chef with me who served up lasagna, beef stroganoff, cheese, salami, fruit and the like.  We did not go hungry that is for sure!

 The difficulty of our adventure was equal to the beauty that surrounded us.  The path often disappeared leaving us to search for our direction in which to continue.  It was also very obvious that the path had not been cleared for some time.  It was at times covered with large trees that had fallen during a recent high wind storm, or over grown with brush.  The path was usually not much bigger then the width of our feet, leaving no room for a wrong step on a a decline in a gully or along a ridge.  It was down right frightful at times and not the nicely cleared stone pathway I had invisioned....I was nieve in many regards! 

 We made camp before sunset.  Trent searched out the perfect spot each night and set right away to putting up our tent and making a fire.  We slept like logs except for when we heard a pack of cyotes howling and yipping at each other in the not so far distance.  I was thankful to be protected by our bear bell ;)

It really was a wonderful adventure.  I really had to rely a lot on Trent to not only feed and house me but to protect, comfort, doctor, and entertain me.  I was thrilled to be with just him and doing this together. It felt like such a huge accomplishment when we circled back to the trail head. 

My boys

I love them.  They are the sweetest boys ever and I am so grateful to be their mommy! 
Charlie cracks me up with his jokes and funny "old man" ways.  That kid has a laugh that is seriously contagious.  And Thomas is the little buddy who always wants "help" or snuggle on the couch. 

First Day of School 2012-2013

Charlie, 2nd Grade

 

Tommy and Charlie

Pretty much sums it up!

Tommy, Kindergarten
 

The boys started school a few weeks back.  It was bittersweet for all of us.  I miss the lazy mornings all snuggled on the couch while the children watched their shows and I drank my coffee and check emails. I am grateful for a chance to catch my breathe but wish the school day was much shorter.  I miss my buddies and so does the little lady.  On those mornings when I am loansome for the pitter patter stampede of little feet, I grab their lovie or jaquar and say a little prayer for Heavenly Father to watch over my babies. 

They are doing good.  Charlie has smoothly made the transition to being a 2nd grader.    He likes lunch and recess.    Tommy had a rocky start of leaving his Mama but is fine now and loves to color and go to recess.