Halloween 2011

About the Pumpkins:

The pumpkin patch we tried to go to (the same on as last year) was closed the Saturday before Halloween.  They had a sign up that said “Thanks!  See you next year”.  Too bad we missed it.  The next closest pumpkin patch was Old Mac Donald’s farm.  All it had was a bunch of picnic tables topped with small pumpkins.  Nothing worth the $8/per person to get in.  If Todd or I had any time before this Saturday to go, we would have. 

We quickly ran out of time on Saturday to acquire pumpkins, since I wanted to get to a baby shower early that afternoon.  Mom and I were riding together to the shower, so we had a little overlap at her house and took a few pictures by her cantaloupe vine and on her hammock. 

Sunday, we took a quick trip to Wal-Mart to get 4 pumpkins.  They were out.  We then ran to Kroger; they were out, too.  That’s all our town has, so our little quick trip out for pumpkins ended up taking the whole evening.  We finally found some at Randall’s.

I’m such a whimp… the texture of pumpkin guts grosses me out. 

This morning, right after breakfast, I let the boys paint their pumpkins.  I taped off the first letter of their names and they painted over the tape.  I think they enjoyed painting.  Logan tried to taste the paint.  Nathan liked mixing the colors.  I tried no not freak out over the mess.   I think they turned out really neat.  I need to get some washable paint out for them to use soon.

About the Costumes:

I saw costumes for a cowboy and an Indian in passing one day and thought that would be appropriate for our guys.  Nathan as the cowboy.  Logan as the Indian.  When we went back to buy the costumes, I found that they were not offered in small sizes.  Again, since I’m always short on time, I decided to find something that would work while I was there.  We found airplanes that they both seemed to be excited about, so I bought 2.

When we got home, I let the guys zoom around in their costumes.  They LOVED it.  We talked about being pilots in the airplanes for Halloween.  When I asked Nathan what he was going to be for Halloween, he said “A rocket ship!!”  He had seen a rocket ship at the store.  It was a contender.  I tried to explain that he had chosen to be a pilot in the airplane, but he would have none of it.  He didn’t have a fit; he just kept saying that he wanted to be a rocket ship. 

We took another trip to Target to exchange Nathan’s airplane for a rocket ship.  How did I let him think he had a choice?  I think it’s kind of funny and cute that he has such an opinion, especially since he wasn’t ugly about it.

Trick or Treating!:

Last year we had trick-or-treaters come to our house really early, like 5:30.  I thought we would start a little early, too, so we left the house a little after 6:00.  Apparently that was too early this year.  We went to a few very familiar neighbors, played in the street with friends for a while, then came home to eat the roast that had been cooking all day.  The boys had a good time trick-or-treating.  They would say the occasional “Trick or treat!” and were very pronounced with their “Thank you!” every time.  It was very cute!

While we ate supper, every time someone knocked on the door, Nathan would loudly say, “Come in!”  I think they enjoyed the whole experience of trick-or-treating tonight.

So… The Peas

I’m pretty sure most everyone knows that any pea incident requiring the use of tweezers probably points to Nathan.  You’re right!

My sweet Nathan boy pushed peas up his nose during lunch the other day.  He thought he was being really cute.  I told him to take the peas out of his nose and that he did not need to do it again because it is not safe. 

He did it again.  Three peas.  I, again, told him to take them out.  He did, but one was stuck.  Tweezers – removal – no big deal.  “Don’t do it again, Nathan!  Peas do not belong in your nose.”

He did it again.  Two got stuck. Tweezers – removal – no big deal.  Threatened punishment if he chose to stick peas up his nose again.

This is where the story should end… But, no!

After lunch, they took a good nap, then when Nathan woke up, he pushed a good blow through his nose, and out popped a pea.  The kid slept with a pea up his nose! 

We haven’t had peas since.

Peas and tweezers. Anyone wish to guess the scenario? (Posted from my phone. Please forgive errors.)

Jumpapalooza!

A couple of friends and their little guys invited us to join them at Jumpapalooza the other day.  My boys had never been before.  Nathan had a blast.  He acted like the place was made for him.  Logan was a little more hesitant/disgruntled, but ended up having a good time.  He would have been happier if he could have been sliding down holding a ball the whole time.  We all had a nice morning being out with friends.  Somehow, I wish the adults could do a little more catching-up, though.  Oh well.

Thanks, Dalys and Ashley!

For My Mom

Mom, Here are two videos from yesterday.  Hope you had a great birthday!!!

Business Travel

Texas Group Photo has kept me on the road a lot this Fall.  In the last 2 months, I have taken group pictures in:

Little Elm (North of Dallas)

Splendora

Austin

Goliad (Twice.  2 separate trips)

Beeville

Brownsville

Naaman Forest (near Dallas, again)

Liberty (Twice.  2 separate trips)

San Antonio

Dayton (Twice.  2 separate trips)

Pollock (North of Lufkin)

Kingwood

Hastings (Alief ISD – Houston)

So, yeah.  I’ve been busy and have made friends with the road.  On a few of the trips, I got to take my brother’s girlfriend with me, which has been fun.  As much as I hate being away from the boys, this has been an interesting and somewhat likeable gig.  I have several more accounts, but things will slow down in December.  We’re hoping to schedule many more groups for the spring.

Here are a few pictures I have taken with my phone along the way…

Brownsville = Stay at South Padre Island

The competition’s product.

Fire drill.

More Summer Funtivities

We’ve had such a fun, busy summer and, other than the first 3 weeks, I’ve done a horrible job of documenting it! 

We decided to take the boys to Old MacDonald’s Farm one morning.  We knew it would be a quick visit since it is so very hot outside.  We darted through the place and visited each animal.  Nathan especially liked chasing the goats around their pen. 

They got to go on their first pony ride and really liked it!  No tears!

And we rode the train.

The place was nearly empty because of the heat, which was nice for us to move about quickly.  We saw, enjoyed, sweated sufficiently, and were done in less than 1 hour.

We made 2 visits to the beach.  Our first visit was all about our little family tradition.  For several years, Todd and I have made a day-trip to Galveston.  We eat at Willie G’s, usually get a snow cone, then spend the rest of the day at the beach.  Doesn’t sound like such a big deal, but it’s the little Galveston trip that we know we will do each summer. 

Todd and I took a few days to go to the Texas Music Educator’s Conference & Expo in San Antonio.  We go to 2 conferences/year there.  My sister’s crew was in town while were were gone.  Mom kept the boys with all of their Aunt’s family there to help.  I know they all had a great time together with Mamaw, Aunt ReeRee, Uncle R, and their sweet cousins K1 & K2! 

The group-photo end of Todd’s photography business has really taken off.  We have re-named that part of the business Texas Group Photo.  To say that we will be busy this year is an understatement.  I will be doing a lot of shoots this year.  We are so very thankful that God has blessed us with so many accounts already! I have no good pictures to prove our trip to S. A. this time, though.

When we returned from S. A., my sister’s family invited us to spend some time with them while they vacationed in Galveston.  We were thrilled about the opportunity to spend more time with them and more time at the beach!  And, with so many extra hands, Todd and I got the chance to ride the waves, which I love!  It was so much fun! 

K1 and K2 spent the following week at Camp Mamaw and Todd taught Photography at Art Camp at our church.  Todd’s birthday fell on the last day of Art Camp, which was followed by an Art Show that evening -- which meant no time to celebrate his 30th birthday on his actual birthday!  K1, K2, and Mamaw were kind enough to nap-time babysit the day before so Todd and I could go out to eat and to a movie to celebrate his birthday a day early.  Also, during his 1 free hour in the middle of his birthday, I surprised him with pizza and cake.  Mom and the girls came to help celebrate… and to make sure we didn’t burn the house down with all 30 of his trick candles!  The day after his birthday, we headed up to Ft. Worth for a photography job.

Sorry, Mamaw… This is the best one I got.  Nice tummy, Logan!

We really like when photography takes us to places where family is near by.  On this trip, we got to stay with Todd’s mom, Alicia.  She and her husband, Jimmy, kept the boys while Todd and I worked all day Saturday.  I love that the boys got to spend time with their Gammaw (did I spell that right, Alicia?).  Nathan, of course, did not sleep well.  I mean, screaming fits from 10:30 – 2:00am!!  Didn’t think I would survive that night…But, Sunday was great!  In fact, the boys have never been so well behaved in church!   We really enjoyed being at Alicia’s church.  Even Todd’s sister, Julia, and her family came to church with us, then out to eat.  Julia, who happens to be a super talented baker (and knitter, and sewer, and crafter, etc.) surprised Todd with a cake that we all enjoyed together.  We had a great time being together with Todd’s family!

Lovies from Cousin E at church.

Cousin M and Nathan like to eat cake together.

I know I’m probably leaving out some events… Of course, the boys, over these 3 summer months, have been just amazing to watch develop and grow into almost 2-year-olds.  They are so smart and so funny!  I mean to do more posts about the little things now that I’m pretty well caught up on the big events.