jack o' lanterns, spiders and bats, oh my!

I know the kiddos in our city can't wait for these buckets and buckets of rain to turn into buckets and buckets of candy!!! We've been stuck inside again with rainy weather, but we've stayed busy baking graham cracker bars and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (a recipe I have thanks to my friend Rebecca). And, since Lukey is obsessed with spiders and bats (appropriate for this time of year) we made a fun Halloween lunch! Even though the spiders didn't have 8 legs because the pretzels wouldn't fit, (they kinda looked like bats anyway) Luke was okay with it, since he already made a spider craft that did have 8 legs! I'll be back with more pics of our trick o' treaters, but wanted to wish you all a safe and happy Halloween!! And, enjoying snacking on those pumpkin seeds---we sure will!!

YUMmy!!!

tea and pumpkins, or something like that

Been a little out of touch. Have had a lot going on. The day after Luke's birthday, Chad went out of town again, to Europe. He did return last Friday, so we've now soaked up his presence for a whole week!! Upon his return, he showered me with some chocolates, some delicious tea and a beautiful mug from Harrod's, the world's most famous department store! So, since he's been home, I've been enjoying sipping my tea and feeling like not doing much other than that.

However, as many of you know, with little kiddos running around the house, there isn't much time to sit around and drink tea! Therefore, we've been off and running to pumpkin patches, birthday parties, my sister's new house, doctor's offices (Charlie has croup), playdates, errands, etc. etc.

This past Saturday, we once again headed down to MS for a fun-filled day of pumpkins. Cedar Hill Farms is a treat if you live in the area! This year we convinced the Sherrod family it was worth the trip and they joined us for a freezing cold pumpkin patch experience.

Our total of 4 kids (their youngest stayed home) braved the cold, acted as if they didn't notice, and ran around the farm having the time of their life.

We took a hayride to the pumpkin patch, (which due to LOTS of rain this fall, didn't produce the best looking real pumpkins, although this little pumpkin is pretty darn cute)

played on a pirate ship,

explored a hay maze,

watched some pig races, rode a train, buried kiddos in corn kernels and even showed some brotherly love!

The boys did struggle while picking out their favorite pumpkins and gourds. . .

but as you can see from this little face, we had a fantastic day!!

Happy 4th Birthday Lukey!

This past weekend our little Lukey turned 4!! What a wonderful birthday he had! Luke's been counting down the days until he turned 4 and it was obvious that this was the first birthday he really understood! Chad, Charlie and I went into his room singing Happy Birthday and he was grinning from ear to ear holding up 4 fingers! We brought Luke downstairs to unveil his big present and he couldn't have been more excited--- a spider bike was waiting for him!! "Mommy, Daddy, why did you get me a bike? Is it because I'm a big boy now?!!" Luke chose his favorite local donut shop for his birthday breakfast (we went there last year as well), but he wanted to bring the donuts home because he couldn't stand to be away from his new bike for too long. We appreciated his choice since we had to get ready for his birthday party!

Party time came and Luke was thrilled to have friends and family over for fall-themed fun (nice alliteration, huh?)! The weather was freezing, but not raining, thank goodness. Chad led the kids in a game of Ring the Pumpkin, they were very creative as they painted pumpkins and they had a blast climbing on our playset. Grandpa grilled hot dogs (the birthday boy's favorite) and everyone devoured some yummy cake (though little Mocha doggy finished off the rest of it--no leftovers for later) and brought their pumpkins home with them.

We opened presents with family (superheroes, sea creatures and Diego prevailed this year) and then later headed to our favorite pizza place (per Luke's request again). Luke was so proud he was 4 and was telling everyone around us at the restaurant!

I can't believe our first little baby is now 4. In so many ways he seems it, so big and grown up, yet everyday I still see how really little he still is. You'd be surprised, but I actually haven't been all sappy and sentimental about this birthday. It's just been such a joy to watch him this past year, turn into the big boy he is and a thrill to see how excited he is about life. We are so incredibly proud of Lukey and we love with with all of our hearts. Thank you, Lord, for giving us our sweet, amazing, adorable, tender little Luke. You have blessed us beyond our comprehesion!

sweet and sandy

In case you haven't noticed, I LOVE beach pictures! There's something about the lighting, the colors and expressions on my boys' faces that make me snap away like the paparazzi!! And of course, when they are wet and covered in sand the boys look so sweet and I want to eat them up! I took a few close ups of Luke to try and capture his newly appearing freckles on his sun-kissed face.

When Charlie saw me with the camera, he came squawking over wanting me to take close-ups of him! Little ham!!

I'm so thankful that I have a way to freeze their thoughts and expressions!

I love my boys!!!!

off to the beach. . .again!

Exactly a month ago I posted pics from our quick trip to the beach over Labor Day. Well, don't hate us, but the boys and I had the chance to go again and we jumped on it! Chad was out of town all last week and my parents offered to take us to the beach! How nice! Auntie Mar and Uncle Don joined us for part of the trip too. Uncle Don (aka Superman) was a huge hit with Luke as he built tunnels and played superheroes with Luke all day long! Notice how Uncle Don is slaving away, while Luke is just cillin'!

My dad was a goofball as usual (acting like Karate Kid here) but kept Luke and Charlie moving by having races with them in the sand! We did lots of playing on the beach, acting like sea creatures and marine biologists, went to a marine life show with dolphins, sea lions and sharks, ate yummy seafood and played lots more! Thanks for a fun time, Mom and Dad!

Grandpa, Mimi and the boys!