Fire Truck Fun

I am finally getting around to posting some pictures of Ryan touring the local Fire Truck when we went to the pumpkin patch. Of course, when we first offered for him to get up there...he was a cranky pants and refused. We got some cider and doughnuts and suddenly he was all about the fire truck. It was pretty cool.

Halloween Fun

Fun was had by all at the local Trunk or Treat that took place at a church near us. The kids got candy, jumped in a moonwalk, went for a hay ride, got their faces painted and ate hot dogs and doughnuts. It was alot of fun and was a free event. It was a bit chilly but as per usual we were one of the last to leave. We're looking forward to more adventures later this week. I'm going to try to catch Ryan's "Hooray for Halloween" song on video to share with you. It is cute. Bye for now.

Oh, did I mention that the boys are on medicine for runny noses, coughs, and slight ear infections. They are on the mend now and we're hoping for a healthy winter.

Notice Life Today: Tyler has been a bit cranky...there must be a tooth coming in soon. He is really getting the hang of walking but is still a bit wobbly...especially since Ryan is always stepping in front of him to cut him off. When he falls, Ryan tackles him. Sometimes there are smiles and laughs and other times screams of outrage!

Ryan's Pumpkin Project

By the look on Ryan's face, I'm sure you can tell how much fun it was to carve this halloween pumpkin with Golf Tees. Pumpkin carving in itself is a fun activity, add to it the fun of hammering and using golfing tools and this was one excited kid. Ryan and Daddy put about 100 holes in the pumpkin using a hammer and a golf tee with the idea that light will shine through each of the holes. (Unfortunately, the tea light I have isn't strong enough to really glow through so I'm looking for something brighter.) Anyway, I got the idea from a magazine cover posted on the Ali Edwards blog...she's my new best friend that I've never met. (I think Ali, me and Rachel Ray would get along famously.)

Well, that's all for now. I have more to share if I ever take the time to get my pictures updated.

Bed Time

Notice Life Today: For the past few weeks Tyler has been a saint at bed time. He drinks a bottle quietly around 7:00 p.m. and at 8 we head for the crib where he peacefully lays down, rolls onto his belly and pushes his bottom up to the sky. I turn on some music, close the door, and we never hear another peep until early morning. Selfishly, I have enjoyed these moments mostly because it meant that I could have time to read, eat, watch tv, or whatever. Last night, however, I really started thinking about how peaceful the routine had become and what it really says about our little guy. After nearly 10-11 months of waking up in the middle of night and crying out for mom, he is finally sleeping through the night. He feels content, secure, loved.

Birthday Wishes and Park Play

Happy Birthday Jimmy!!!

We soaked up the nice weather this week by walking to the park and playing. Both boys enjoyed the day. Tyler learned how to climb up the slide thanks to RyRy;) The boys had fun playing together as Ryan launched cars up the slide and Tyler threw them back down to him. A little running around, a little swinging, and the family headed home for a little R&R. Oh how that fresh fall air makes you feel so tired.

I made a joke earlier about Jim's "major" surgery and I'm taking back my sarcasm as the doctor called this week and the mole was pre-cancerous. The good thing is...they got it all out. The bad thing is...it get's you to worrying about too much stuff. We are grateful to this new doctor who had taken one look at the spot and took immediate action.

Stay posted, I want to share some pumpkin pictures of you but we're not finished with our project. Ryan's attention span is short and we need to gut our masterpiece at another sitting. I'll tease you a little bit by telling you that Ry and Jim used their golf skills to carve this one! I'll post Monday. Happy Weekend.

Book Talk

I finally finished a book that has been on my must read list for a while. Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns has changed my life. It has sparred every emotion I have ever felt in life and I am sure it will be a story that will win prizes and stand the test of time as a great work of art. It is a story of an Afghan girl who faces great strife and finds love, peace, enjoyment in an unlikely friendship with a young girl. For sure, these statements are overwhelmingly simplistic as the dynamics of the story are complicated, heartbreaking...and yet, inspiring. I am still weeping with sorrow and hope. I have never re-read a book in my life but am sure that I will have to revisit this story again soon. (There are 2 other books that I will revisit when the opportunity presents itself--The Poisonwood Bible and Beach Music.) If you need a good read, pick this one up at your library. It will help you love and appreciate your family more (your children, your spouse, and even strangers/acquaintences that have touched your life.)

I know I don't normally post this type of message but I am truly moved by the story.

Have a good weekend.

Been Busy

I'd love to be posting the cute pictures I've got of us playing at the park last night. Or some of our visit to Domino Farms this weekend, but I just haven't uploaded them yet. We had a good time visiting cousins this past weekend. We went to the petting zoo, had a picnic lunch, played and had a good time. Last night, we walked to the park in an effort to get a little exercise. It was a bit chilly so we couldn't stay long. Ryan played baseball and Tyler wen down the slide alone for the first time with Daddy catching him at the bottom. It was cute. Jim had a mole removed yesterday, which was considered major surgery in his mind. Doc says he will make it though;) We've been sorting throught winter clothes for the family and storing away summer clothes. And I'm trying to distribute small baby clothes that we won't be needing any longer ; (

That's it for now, I'll post again when I have some fun pictures.