TEAM STRIKERS

Fall soccer is about over. The last game is this weekend, pending any rainouts. The team celebrated the season at Fuddruckers with hamburgers, video games, tropheys, and an awesome cake made by the coach's wife. Way to go Strikers!

6 YEARS OLD!

It is hard to believe that Joshua is 6 years old. This year we are taking Joshua and one friend to Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate his birthday (he chose this). However, I don't think he missed out on his birthday. Not only did he get a cookie cake and small celebration at home with family, but he celebrated all day at school too. The school had their annual Veterans Day parade that morning. Then that afternoon I brought cupcakes and party favors to celebrate his birthday and Mrs. Lewis' birthday (his teacher) with the class. We had so much fun in the classroom eating cupcakes, dancing, and taking silly pictures with the fun sunglasses. Overall a great day for Joshua!

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

We had a busy Halloween weekend. Saturday Jeff and I took the boys to the Owens Big Orange Pumkin Farm. It is a small farm, but perfect for our two little guys and our time constraint with soccer, halloween parties, and pumpkin carving the same day. Sunday we let the boys trick-or-treat at the houses on our street. I think they would love to treat at more homes, but I am pretty sure I did not want to.

STORY BOOK CHARACTER

HPPM, Joshua's elementary, held a dress up like your 'Favorite Story Book Character' day during red ribbon week. Joshua selected Harry Potter. No, he has not read the books. He has seen the movies and I have started reading the books to him. He likes HP because of the movies...it is hard to beat the visual effects.

LHUMC TRUNK-OR-TREAT

Not only did we get to enjoy our church trunk-or-treat, but we got to enjoy the trunk-or-treat sponsored by the church where Andrew's school is housed. We met up with the Sides' for a hot dog dinner and then treats. The boys also got a chance to take a picture with the KIT car and of course bounce the night away.

MUSEUM FUN

Andrew and I went to the Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas with my mom, sister, two of her kids, and one that she watches. The children's part of the museum did a festive story time and craft to celebrate Halloween the day we were there as well. I think the kids enjoyed running all around the museum, making gigantic bubbles, digging up bones, climbing the rock wall, riding tractors, milking cows, driving the fire truck, oh so many things for them to do. I look forward to going many more times with our season passes.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT

Mimi and Grampie joined us this year at the annual M2M Trunk-or-Treat. Joshua dressed as Iron Man and Andrew Spiderman. There were so many cute costumes this year. Best boy costume when to the golfer. Best girl costume went to the Fall fairy. Best trunk decoration went to the Darth Vador trunk. Thanks Mimi and Grampie in sharing in this fun time with the boys...now on to one more Trunk-or-Treat on Wednesday and Trick-or-Treating Halloween night.

BOWLING FUN...

We took the boys bowling this weekend. Our original plan was to take them to our alma matter, Austin College, for Homecoming weekend. However, the weather had something else in store for us.
The boys really enjoyed bowling. We ended up playing 3 games and they did not want our help after showing them the first time. We look forward to doing this many more times as a family.




I hope to post a video soon.

STATE FAIR...

Jeff and I took the boys to the State Fair this year. We took the DART to and from, which althought crowded I think was a good idea. We enjoyed many rides, good food, the bird show, and people watching. I know that this will be more and more fun as the boys get older.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!

Andrew has been busy this past week. He had a birthday celebration for Zack on Monday and a birthday celebration for Emma on Friday. It was the first time I had seen him at an event like this without his brother. He really opened up and was not the shy little guy that I see when Joshua is around. I know he had a blast at both parties, so much so he did not want to leave. Thanks to the Ruether's and the Coleman's for the birthday invites.


Zack (in the chair) turned 2. His party was at a Pump It Up Jr...a great place for toddlers.

Emma (pink bow) turned 3. Her party was at a play ground. Yes, it was nice and warm in October.

PLAYDATES

We have not been on many playdates, especially since school started back up. Below are some pics from some recent get togethers with friends.


Addison Circle...Nora and Andrew had a lot of fun. I was really excited at how well they played together. Thanks to Leslie and Nora for spending some time with us.

White Rock Lake...picnic with the family and some soccer playing. We ended up losing the ball in the water.

Baby Garrett! He really enjoyed swinging. Thank you Jean E for spending a cool morning with us.

Andrew climbing the "rock" at the playground. Garrett could not climb the rock yet.

JUST SOME PICS - SEPT

I just wanted to take some pictures of the boys in our backyard. If you have not seen it, they do have many moments of playing nicely together. Can you see the love they have for each other?

ANDREW'S FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL

Andrew started preschool today at CCDC. I have to admit that I was nervous for him to go for many reasons. One, he is almost a full year younger than Joshua was when he went. Second, he is not completely potty trained (it is a requirement). Finally (maybe), he just turned 3 a week ago and will be the youngest in his class. Jeff and I kept our phones close by in case we were called to pick him up. Guess what? No calls. In fact he did wonderfully! He napped on a mat, he ate his lunch without running around the table, he sang songs, he went to the potty, he had fun, and he did not get into trouble. Jeff and I are just so happy for him today.
I asked him what he did at school today, "I talked wiff my fwiends." So cute! Let's see what tomorrow holds since he is at home with mommy all day.


My two Texas Rangers heading off to school after some smiley face pancakes (I bought a new outfit for Andrew and he chose to wear his Rangers shirt).

Andrew on his way to school.

Taking a picture out front.

The door to a room full of learning...some anxiety, but he did very well.

ANDREW IS 3!

We celebrated Andrew's birthday on Monday, August 30th at our home. We invited family and a few friends over for playing, chick-fil-a, and a Hot Wheels themed birthday cake. The house was very loud and a mess for a few hours, but we all had a lot of fun. I get so much joy watching kids play so energetically.
It is hard to believe that Andrew is 3. I have enjoyed watching him become this funny, energetic, confident, persistant little boy. It will be hard for me not to treat him like the baby of the family. I am just a little lucky that he still enjoys cuddling. Happy Birthday little guy! We love you!

QUANDARY

I wanted to post more pictures from our Quandary hike. Quandary is 14,265 feet elevation. It took Jeff and I about 5 hours to do the 6.3 mile round trip, 3200 feet elevation. Jeff was smoking this hike. As you can see I was behind Jeff and he had to wait on me the majority of the time. I found the hike to be hard. I felt running the half marathon was much easier than this hike. Once I got to the summit I stopped regretting the hike and felt an accomplishment and would actually try another 14er. Hopefully one that is not so rocky.



Yes, Jeff waiting for my before we get to the false summit.


Jeff and I at the summit.

One of the views from the summit.

Summit marker.

A Mountain goat on the way up...we were on our way down.

COUSINS

I took so many pictures of all the kids and not sure I did better than what is below. It is hard to get all the cousins to sit and look at you all at once. Kristen got some, so I may have to see if any of those are any better.

WEEK 2 BRECK cont

I think I took more pics the second week...or I just cannot choose which ones to pick, so I am posting a lot.


Andrew did not like waiting on the people in front of us to finish.

Andrew fishing with Jeff with his new Spider Man fishing pole.

Grampie helping Joshua cast.

Two mischevious boys...if these two went to the same school there would be trouble.

Thankfully they are not looking under someones skirt.