How Many Ways Can You Decorate A Pumpkin???

You can CARVE a Pumpkin

This year we dressed up in random costumes for family dinner and pumpkin carving. This might be a new family tradition.

You can DECORATE a Pumpkin

You can PAINT a Pumpkin

Using foil,
Sponges,
& Brushes

Here are some of the other fall decorations the Kids helped me make. I didn't get pictures of the process.

Thankful Turkey-we write what we are thankful for on each feather.

Turkey Handprints
Fall Leaves-done with swirled acrylic paint and shaving cream. Tons of fun, but I have not mastered this one yet.

Melted Crayon leaves, these were time consuming, but they turned out really nice.

These are some other random things the kids did at home, school, and church that they wanted to hang up.

Now I am off to go hunt down idea for Christmas Decorations. Pintrest here I come!

High-YA

Showin off my moves!
Watch this

High-YA.

Fall Farm Fun

We took the kids to Schnepf's Farm and had a ton of fall fun.

The plane ride was a big hit with the boys. I lost count with how many times they rode it.

The boys are checking their maps so they can help us navigate the corn maze.

Papa and Kayla went a little off the path. She enjoys her little adventures with Papa.

We had one fan of the petting zoo.

Future Pilots

This weekend I had the joy of watching my boys experience one of my fondest memories growing up, flying in my Dad's (Papa's) airplane. They always love going to the airport and playing in the airplane. We wanted to wait until we were confident the boys would not be scared of the noise and were able to comprehend and communicate that they were ready to go up. And oh were they ready. They could not wait to take off. Nathan was so ready that he insisted that he could fly the plane himself with no help. I am not quite sure he realizes that if this plane crashes it does not reset like his Wii flights do. He must have asked Papa 30 times "how does the plane work Papa?" For their first flight they sat in the back with Daddy while I flew in the co pilot spot. Next time, Papa will probably let them take turns as co pilot.

Practicing for his solo flight.


Can you find some familiar faces?




In flight, and loving it! The headsets help him to talk to papa and allow him to listen to the tower. Which in case you are interested the tower is the first place Nathan said he wants to work when he gets big.

It was a successful flight of three touch and goes. Everyone is already planning a second trip.

Thanks Dad for another fun flight memory.

Summersaults and Head Spins

Nathan has been standing on his head for weeks now. It does not matter where he is or what is going on he is standing on his head. In his bed, in the store, half naked when he gets off of the potty, EVERYWHERE! As of today Nathans head stands have taken a little spin.

And in true sibling fashion Andrew and Kayla are trying desperatly to keep up. Andrew can balance on his head if he is leaning against something and does summersaults. And well Kayla just puts her forhead to the ground and her little butt in the air.

Here is a little piece of their latest head moves.

Easter Fun

Someone caught Kayla attacking brother with her basket.

She knew she was guilty.

Big Brother sharing with his little sis.

Easter Worship

Dinner after a hard day...

look at her...

Zoo

Every once in a while people ask me what we look like when I take all three kids out by myself. How exactly do I take all three kids to the grocery store, or the mall and manage to not destroy everything or lose my sanity? The truth is many days we do manage to get out of the house and accomplish something, and then many days I get in way over my head. Today I was in way over my head. I took the three on a fun day to the zoo, just the four of us. What was I thinking?

The parking lot was completely full so we had to park in the back lot. This should have been my first clue to head home. But I decided that spring break crowds and all we would continue on. As soon as we get out of the car and loaded into the stroller Andrew starts to complain that he needs to go potty. Halfway through the parking lot his complaining is more constant and sounding more panicked. So I did as any mother would, start sprinting three kids stroller and all and snapping at my kid that I was doing the best I could to get him there in time. It was one of those reflective moments of wondering "how in the world did I get here? Where did these 3 kids come from and why don't they have any bladder control?" Of course there are no bathrooms on the outside of the park so I begged a ticket lady to let us through and promised that I would come back to purchase tickets. I had to continue making a scene pushing through the crowds and getting dirty looks as I apologise "excuse us, sorry, my kid needs to go potty." Miraculously we made it with no accidents, I am still amazed. After all that my grateful kid informs me while we are in line to buy tickets that he has to go potty, AGAIN! Seriously kid?

The photographer jumped in front of my stroller to grab this shot, completely annoying. But I decided to buy it. It will be a great picture of what our life is like at this stage. It is also an important reminder that amongst all the chaos I am truly blessed, even on days like today.

Kid Talk

Uncle Trav asked me a few weeks ago what the boys talk about. So I thought I would post this little converstion I had with the boys today.

A: Mommy I have these (beads) I am going to hold and decorate the Christmas Tree.

M: Well Andrew Christmas is a long time away. The next holiday we are going to celebrate is Easter. ----You guys get to do an easter egg hunt.

N: Mommy can we do a bear hunt instead?

I think someone has read Going On A Bear Hunt one too many times.

I love talking with them, they make the most random connections and ask the cutest questions.

Winter Camp

We spent the weekend at High School Winter Camp. We were so blessed to be able to have both grandma's join us so that we were able to bring the kids. God worked in amazing ways over the weekend.



I I feel so blessed Starting off sweet, but admitidly ending a little creepy.

Video 137

Kayla one arm scoot

Our 3 and Wild Party

There was

Sliding

Bouncing

Learning to Slide (a little unsure, but liked it)


Hopping

Pinata smashing (which needed daddy's help)


Flirting

Tickle Attacks

Napping, if you were lucky


Tons of chewing, and drooling,

Baby Mosh Pits

Playing with Fire and with tons of parents to make nervous

Candles to blow out

Fun Monkey Cupcakes to admire

Cupcakes to eat


Oh Lastly there was ice cream.

There was tons of friends, loads of fun, and two very happy birthday boys.



Thank you to all our friends and family. Thank you for sharing in our lives and the lives of our kids. We are truly blessed by you all.