Dinner in a Pumpkin

We made dinner in a pumpkin this week. I had heard from Candi that it was good. I was a bit skeptical, but thought I would try it - after all, the kids thought it would be a neat thing to eat. They enjoyed helping dig the insides out of this pumpkin too.
When it came time to eat it, the kids didn't care for the pumpkin part that you could eat. They did like the hamburger mix inside. After we were finished eating, I called my mom to ask her what to do with all the leftover baked pumpkin. She informed me that I could make pretty much anything that you would use canned pumpkin for. We made a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins - that we love. I am sure we will be making more of those very soon!

Carving a Pumpkin

This was the first time that I have ever carved a pumpkin. It went really well. Thanks to a few friends who gave me some instructions before we began. The kids had the opportunity to clean out a pumpkin at preschool, so they knew what to do. They dug right in at home and were great helpers. They knew to separate the seeds and the stringy stuff. We baked the seeds after we were all finished. The kids and daddy love them. We had a great time, and will definitely make this a tradition. (Especially with all the from the kids!)

Sunday Dinners

Sunday after church, it is a real treat to go to my parents house for dinner. My mom makes the best food, and it is fun to get together with family. Usually my sister and her family and my brother and his family are there too. All the kids love to play together and the adults can visit. I hope this is a tradition that will continue for many years.
Here is a picture of Grandpa Rick, Allyson and Eli














Allyson, Eli, Caden, and Tessa playing "Hands Down" game

Preschool Pumpkinland

On Friday, the kids took a field trip to Pumpkinland with their preschool. I had the privilege to drive for this trip. It was very muddy and cool, but the kids had a great time. They got to hear a talk about the different kinds of pumpkins. They also saw and tasted a demonstration of a special ear of corn that when put in the microwave makes popcorn. All the kids enjoyed the petting zoo.
We tried to get all the kids in one place to take a picture. Allyson was a little upset because she wanted to be by me, and didn't want to take the picture.
Next the kids all got to pick out a pumpkin to take home. We went to the park to play and eat our sack lunches, then back to preschool. The kids had a great time.

Fireman visits

This past week, the kids had 3 firemen come to talk about fire safety at preschool. This is a glimpse into our conversation on the way home.
"If your door is hot, you have to not hide so the fireman can find you," said Allyson.
"Yeah - you can't hide in your closet," said Caden.
"If your clothes are on fire, you have to STOP, DROP, and ROLL." said Allyson.
"Or you just jump in the pool" said Caden. "Or buy new clothes" says Caden with a big grin, "but really you have to STOP, DROP, and ROLL."

Cold and Rainy

What do you do when it is cold and rainy and you can't play outside for a couple days in a row?
Play with daddy's hat...



















Get out the Aqua Doodle and color.

Monkey Hugs

We made pretzel hugs the other day and brought them to our teachers. They all loved them.
Caden and Allyson love to help make these. They started calling them "Monkey Hugs" and it has stuck. We enjoy eating the finished product enough that we can usually only eat a few of the ingredients while we are preparing them.

Happy 1 Yr. Anniv

Wanted to wish Chad and Amy a Happy 1 year Anniversary!
October 21 is your special day. It is hard to believe that 1 year has passed since we came to visit you and help you celebrate your wedding day! Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to be there. Praying that God will bless you with many more years together. We love you!

Look Alike?

I love Karen Kingsbury books. I just finished the last book in the Sunrise Series. When I picked it up from the library, I set it on the center council of the van, and my kids both were so impressed. They said "mom - it's you!"
They seem to think this looks like me. I don't see it, but maybe since the hair is similar in color and length - at first glance, it may look that way?
I thought it was funny when they said that, but the other day when they saw the book on my nightstand, they said it again.
My thought is it could be worse!

Trick or Treat (2)

This past Saturday evening, we went to Oak Grove to trick or treat at the campers. So many of the campers were decorated with Halloween decorations. It was fun to trick or treat with friends, and play with them around the campfire afterward.

Kyle and Jess's Wedding

Yesterday, was my brother's wedding. There was a private ceremony and then a reception and dance at Hole N' The Wall. It was a beautiful day. The weather was in the 70's. There was a little breeze, but still able to get great outdoor pictures and have the ceremony outside. Tons of pictures were taken. I was asked to take candid shots. (I took over 300 pictures)























































































































































The reception was very nice. There was chicken and beef along with corn and scalloped potatoes, lettuce salad and cheesecake for dessert. The dance was a lot of fun. Mike, a friend of Kyle from high school was the dj. Caden and Allyson loved the dance. They had so much fun dancing. Allyson was totally wore out by the end of the night. Caden just kept dancing. He would go out on the dance floor and just join in on whatever dance was going on and copy what others were doing. He did a great job.















Congratulations Kyle and Jess! I am praying that God will bless you with many wonderful years together! I am so happy for you! Welcome to the family Jessica, Samuel and Tessa!

Happy Birthday Great Grandpa

Saturday after Trick or Treating, we helped Great Grandpa celebrate his birthday.

Trick or Treat

Saturday evening, we went trick or treating at a local campground. This is the first year that they offered this fun event. You could go trick or treating by all the campers. They block off the road, so there are no worries about watching for cars, and just walk from camper to camper trick or treating. The kids had a great time.
Caden chose to be Scooby Doo and Allyson chose to be a pink poodle this year.

Another Baby Kitty = 2

Friday morning, we went outside to find the kitty, and instead found another one. They are both so cute and cuddly. We played with them most of the morning.

A Baby Kitty

Thursday afternoon we came home from work, and Allyson started freaking out because she saw a mouse in the lawn. I told her it was okay. (I was still getting Caden out of the van.) (Of course I would have freaked out too - or should I say it would have caught me off guard.) When I investigated further, we found a baby kitten by the camper. This was a very little kitten, but super cute. It took a little bit of coaxing to get the kitten to come out of hiding and we could get close enough to pick it up. Once I got him in my arms, the rest of the evening was lost - the kids were in love! Allyson kept begging me to keep the kitten in her room. I said "no". She was very insistant that this kitty needed to be kept in a place with doors that could shut. She thought maybe her closet would be a good place for the kitty. I still said no. (what a mean mom!)














Allyson named this kitty Checkers Princess. We haven't figured out if this is a boy or girl kitty, but princess will work for now.
Caden wasn't quite as insitant on having the kitten in the house. He thought it was fun, but didn't care for the claws. He kept trying to get the kitten to eat the big cat food. He also loves his shirt like Eli. (Thanks Uncle Dan!)


















To finish this story - no, the kitten didn't come in the house - it stays outside. And as for the mouse, I kept asking Allyson if she thought the little kitten was a mouse, but she stuck to her story. I went to the van later, and did see a dead mouse in the lawn. So... yes - Allyson was right and really did see a mouse in the lawn. (Better outside and dead, than in my house!) Maybe the cats are a good thing!

Another Pumpkin Patch

Last week Tuesday, the kids and I went to another pumpkin patch. It was a beautiful day. The kids loved all the animals, and going through the munchkin corn maze. Mom isn't the greatest navigator in the maze, but we made it through without problems.
We took pictures again this year to see "how tall this fall".