Happy Halloween 2012

Halloween celebrations started on the 30th with a quick carving of the pumpkin. We are very proud of our very own home grown pumpkins. This is mostly funny because of the fields and fields of pumpkins across the street from us. 

 

Neither McK nor Tate were fans of the goo.

 As you can see Tate is more the Supervising Type.

Ready for Trick or Treating

Ms. Marvel (Super Hero Squad), Dash (Incredibles) and Brittany (Chippette)

 Very proud of the kids for coming up with their own costume ideas. Very unique!

McKenna with and without her Chipmunk Cheeks.

 

 With Tate this is about as good as it gets-blurry due to movement. he never stops.

Christopher Robin and Tigger? 

 We decided to hit a neighborhood up the hill from our house where they block the cars out. The same neighborhood we visit for Christmas lights each year. It was fun to get out and Trick or Treat a real neighborhood.

 At the Trick or Trunk we found the Disney Princesses. The lil girls were Thrilled.

Another great Halloween.

Earlier today while waiting for the bus Tyler began to cry because tomorrow October would be over and she would miss it. October has been fun, we look forward to its return next year and embrace Novembers entrance. :0

Pumpkin Patch-Maris Farm

 Eliza, on of my Laurels who was working the corn room.

 This year they had mechanical bull riding. Everyone had a turn. Unfortunately the ones with Tate & McKenna were too blurry, but it was great fun to ride and watch.

Annual Pumpkin pictures:

 

Tate, he's still a rookie, 3 years old, and refused to look at the camera. 

 Grandpa Taking a different angle

 My way of making him...and exposing myself in the process

Happy Birthday John

John Turned 38 Years Old today.A

 lot has changed and a lot has stayed the same over the last year.

Changes: Added Farmer/Rancher to list of vocatons, moved residences, added another child to the family, built a barn, became a Sunday school teacher to 15 year olds. 

Same: Goes non stop, drives his lil white truck, works for Outpatient PT-although slightly different schedule, a great dad and husband.

John likes his birthdays pretty low key, so we had Tacos and Choc TX Sheetcake and opened gifts.

I wish I had more to say, but really it comes down to this.

We LOVE YOU Daddy John.

Smiles

 This morning Tom & Helga came to help me can corn while the kids were in school. Cooper was as happy about it as I was because for the first time he broke out into smiles. It was fantastic!

He thought Tom was hilarious!

He also tried talking. I was just starting to wonder when he was going to be more than a cute lil blob. 

Well worth the wait.

School is Back in Session

When we moved last March we found ourselves in a different schools boundaries. It's really the biggest downfall to the move. I was actually devastated since our experience at Maple Lawn was so wonderful (well except the 1st couple of weeks). Anyway we finished up the year there and decided to move forward and to see what this "other" school was about. It's been a good experience so far-We went to Back to School night last week and met our new teachers:

2nd Grade: McKenna & Ms O'Brien (soon to be Helm)

Kindergarten: Tyler & Mrs Brennan

Pre-K: Tate, Ms Maureen & Ms Terry

School officially started last Wednesday, although much to Tyler and Tate's dismay McKenna was the only one to start. They were both a lil upset they didn't get to get on the bus with her.

McKenna in her New School Clothes
(The ink was almost out-Sign says 1st day of Second Grade)

 This morning Tyler and Tate were thrilled to be joining the crew on the bus

 My handsome boy Tate, who I didn't have nearly as hard of a time letting go this morning as last Spring. :)

 

 3 out of 4 kids...2 days a week. Not sure who is more excited, them or me.

 Funny Story: Due to this photoshoot-the girls missed the bus. By only a few minutes-Tate's bus was 10 minutes early and so we barely made that bus, although we almost missed it because I started to chase the girls bus and then saw Tate's in my rear view mirror. After getting Tate on his bus we drove around looking for bus 36. I had a Dr's appointment and didn't have time to drive them to school (which is 15 min away). Just as we were about to give up we spotted a couple of kids at a bus stop, so we asked them and found out they were waiting for the same bus. Out we jumped and got in line. The bus driver was not as impressed as I was. She's going to have to lighten up or it's going to be a long year. This will happen frequently...

McKenna reported a great 1st day of school reuniting with an old friend from her last school. She loves her teacher, gym and music. She was really looking forward to Tyler joining her.

Apparently it was a wonderful reunion of sisters. They were able to see each other at both recesses and loved being able to sit by each other on the bus.

Tyler couldn't talk enough about her first day of school. She got 2 recesses! She met a new friend named Mia, found a Mckenna and a Tate in her class. She went to gym and the teacher was really fun and had a hoolahoop that is apparently magical jumping kids and coming back when called. She was very impressed!

Tate-was thrilled to be on the bus...that's about all I got out of him. I think they might have talked about potty training at school. While we were eating lunch today I got a phone call and ran into the front room to take it. Tate was not where to be seen when I returned. I assumed he'd gone up to play with his trains as he often does. I was a bit alarmed to find him not in the house at all, and not answering my calls when I yelled out the door. A bit panicked Cooper and I went out looking for him. We found him behind the stables playing in the sand and dirt with his rubber mallet, big stick and barefoot. He was in his own little piece of heaven!

I think it's safe to say it was a great day for all!