Spookiness!

The costumes this year: Chris was a Shriner :) and I just wanted to be warm...so I was a 70's (ish) girl.

Braden wondered what had happened to his parents

Chris' parents joined in on the festivities...aren't they cute dressed up? :)

Matt was a perfect Michael Phelps. He got a lot of attention since he was a big celebrity!

Carrie was a good sport and even dressed up w/ her prego belly. She was a pregnant chef! Pretty cute idea!

Jeremy (Chris' brother) was Daisy Duke. Check out those legs....not too shabby!

Nothing like a fellow Shriner on electric guitar

* I just have to tell you this story! On Friday we went to our usual party at the NA Country Club and had a good time. :) On Saturday night, our party started as a scavenger hunt. We have never been to this particular party before but had friends invite us. Each year the party ends at a different destination...like last year the clues led you to Lakeside Reflections. Well this year we got our clues and started on our way and ended up at......(drum roll please)....THE SHRINERS CLUB!!! So here's Chris dressed as a Shriner walking into the Shriners Club! It was so hilarious!!!!!!!!!

Pumpkin Carving

This weekend we decided to carve our pumpkins. Just like my preschool class, Braden wanted no part in touching the gooiness of the pumpkin. Chris thinks somehow I've turned Braden into a little sissy. I don't blame him...it is kind of slimy. Braden enjoyed watching us carve the pumpkins while he repeatedly said "ewww" and punkin" 1,000 times!

Just a cute picture to show you Braden if he ever needed glasses-hee hee!

Making Muffins

Braden had his first cooking experience this week. He helped me make yummy blueberry muffins. He did a pretty good job of stirring and dumping, and only made a few attempts at trying to eat the uncooked product. :) Maybe next time we'll try "real" homemade blueberry muffins!

Trick or Treating at the Zoo

Tonight we went trick or treating at the zoo with Matt, Carrie, & Jace. It was SOOO much better this year because we went during the week and it was less crowded. :) Thankfully, it also cooled off today so the boys were not sweating to death in their furry costumes. Braden started to get the hang of putting up his bucket for the candy but then would take it with his hand. We could only get him to say "trick or treat" BEFORE we got to the people, and not actually when he asked for the candy. Oh well...tonight was our practice round. :) Braden and Jace were a little scared of all of the characters. You can see in the lion picture where he is puling away from Chris and the scary lion. Ha! We'll see how they do next year. Of course Chris and I ate most of the candy. Only another year or so before we won't get any!

Pumpkin Overload!

Just chillin in a pile of pumpkins waiting on the wagon

"Hi Turtle, hi chicken, hi cows...."

Riding the wagon out to the pumpkin patch

So many pumpkins, so little time

"I guess I can give mom a minute of my time."

"Hmmm...I'm looking for the perfect pumpkin."

"Bye Pumpkin....Bye"

"This looks like the perfect one...but just a tad heavy."

"OH NO! I am deeply concerned about this pumpkin!"

"And this one...."

"So sad....another tragedy."

"Oh well, on to looking for the perfect pumpkin. I may find it by dark."

Cheap Entertainment for the Whole Family :)

Tonight I made my first batch of homemade playdough. I decided to make some pumpkin pie playdough so it would smell extra good (and probably entice Braden to eat it-oh no!). It turned out perfectly. I saved some for home so WE could play with it, and the rest I'll take to preschool. Chris and I definitely had more fun playing with it than Braden did. :)

Here is the recipe if any of you Super Moms want to try it:

Pumpkin Pie Play Dough
5 1/2 cups flour

2 cups salt

8 teaspoons cream of tartar

3/4 cup oil

1 (1 1/12 ounces) container pumpkin pie spice

Orange food coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)

4 cups water
Mix all of the ingredients together. Cook and stir over medium heat until all lumps disappear. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth. Store in an airtight container.

Busy Saturday!

Always playing with my hair in the back-so sweet!! (not my hair, Braden's twirling. :)

On Saturday morning, Chris ran in a 5K. For someone that hasn't had time to run lately, he did a really great job! Braden and I got down to the finish line right when he finished, so I only got a picture of him finished, and not running. After that, we headed down to the festival so we could eat our annual round of fattening foods. I always have to get the Chicken & Dumplings! Yummy! Braden loved them too. We also tried some fried donuts, apple cider slushies, and a corndog. We are one healthy eating family. Then we ventured down to the Kids' Tent where Braden got to touch a HUGE snake, pet some puppies, and do some crafts with Daddy. After the afternoon nap, we headed up to Granny's 80th bday party (Chris' grandma). It was one busy day!

"Ahhh...duck!"


"Ooohhh, pumpkin!"



Kisses for Grandpa

The whole family!! Granny's 80th bday brought a lot of family and friends! She is one special lady. :) She is in the front middle trying to keep Braden on her lap.