Pumpkin Patch, Halloween Party, and Papa's birthday - whew!

What a busy week! I missed most of it as I was on travel for work. But a big thanks to Grandma Val for taking Brenner and Nola to the pumpkin patch with Brenner's preschool class and for Grammy Vo coming to stay with the kids for a few days. They had a ball and didn't seem to miss me too much! Papa spent his actual birthday down at Hermitage hunting and prepping the "camp" for Brenner who will accompany Matt during rifle season in a couple of weeks. What will the girls do?!

 Brenner with his buddies at the pumpkin patch. The kid down below doesn't seem too impressed!

 This picture cracked me up. Sort of reminded me of Dr. Evil from Austin Power movies!

 Brenner and Aiden having fun!

 This hay horse is always a hit with the kids!

 Grandma - are you taking another picture? This was on the hay ride!

I am not sure what Brenner was thinking but this made me laugh. I just imagine him being so serious as he is picking out his pumpkin to take home!

 I love this one of Nola. Grammy eat your heart out!

 No idea what this mayhem is but sure is funny! Grammy will have to fill me in!

 Ditto on this one!

 Nola relaxing while reading Dora the Explorer. She HATES to wear socks. I cracked up today because she threw a fit until I took them off. Nola them immediately started to rub her feet together - just like her Papa. Ugh! She is talking up a storm and loves to say "Of course" when answering your questions. Nola also says "Where is him?" when inquiring about Big Brother.

 On Friday night we headed to a Halloween Party. Brenner was Iron Man and Nola was Princess Singer. I just went with it! I was a friendly witch (no comments, please). It was a fun time!

 The kids were wiped out after the party but Nola insisted on sleeping with her bag of candy (tucked under her arm). The both slept until after 7:15 am - yahoo!!!!!

 We celebrated Papa's birthday with carrot cake - the kids were big helpers with the candles!Brenner ate all of his icing before devouring the cake.

 Some of Brenner's homework. He is doing much better staying inside the lines! I think it helped that this one had a "volcano"!

 Look how excited he is!!!!

Uncle Chuck - thank you so much for Aunty the bear. I love it and you too!

The Runge and the corn maze

A long week for mommy - sick all week with a voice only part of the time. The kids did great and a big thanks to Grandma for taking the kids to the Runge Nature Center on Tuesday while I was home sick - I actually got to relax!!!! On Saturday, Aunt Lynnie and Grandma were nice enough to babysit so that Matt and I could go out to dinner with our friends Mat and Melissa. Ahh, adult time! Today we went with other families from our church to a pumpkin patch and corn maze. The weather was amazing - 70s and sunny - everyone had a great time!

 Nola and Brenner exploring along one of the trails at Runge.

 Grandma Val and her favorite kiddos under 5!

 Yes - Brenner found a turtle!

 The trip was made even more special when cousin Anna Jo and her mom Kate showed up!

 Sashay, sashay. Turn to the left, turn to the right. Ohh - I digress but Nola's pose is cute. Here Nola is in a dress made for Grammy Vo by her mother (Judith Hunt) in 1947. I bet Grammy looked just as pretty!

 Batman visited the house this week. He was very serous.

 Spiderman was a bit less intimidating in his headdress!

Here are our friends from our church at the corn maze. It was a lot of fun! Brenner couldn't keep his hands off of poor Mason!

I really like this picture - big guy in deep thought. To jump or not to jump....

Definitely JUMP!!!!!

The corn tub was also a hit with the kids...except for Nola. She did not like how it felt between her toes!

Nola did venture up on the hay bales. During the hay ride we passed a pond. Nola said "Look, the ocean!" Very cute! She was also a good problem solver this week. A toy was under our bed so she went to get her stick pony to push it out so that it could be grabbed. Way to go, sweetie!

Brenner and Nola really liked this scarecrow!

Our little naturalist and diva

We had a lot of outdoor fun this week. Brenner is so into searching for insects, turtles, anything that moves. He has a really good eye for seeing the smallest creatures and is always looking for things to add to his insect collection. I told him that he needed to clean up his room before we went on a walk, to which he replied "Yes sir, Mommy!" Funny. He is very compassionate to his sister too. She couldn't go on the turtle hunt walk and got upset. Brenner told her "Its okay, Nola. That little heart of yours has me and mommy in it all the time!" Very astute, Brenner! Nola has been wanting to wear underwear instead of a diaper (she isn't quite ready for it), but Matt put underwear on her. She then asked me "Where's my bra?" Too hilarious!

 Brenner using the aerial net to trap some bees on my aster.

 A three-toed box turtle that Brenner and I found during our walk Saturday. He wanted to keep "Boxy" as a pet so we got a big cardboard box and put it on the front porch. A storm moved in and blew over the box, and Boxy escaped.  I later found out that Papa saw Boxy making his/her way across the yard but didn't tell Brenner. Bad Papa!

 This is an ugly horned caterpillar that we found during our Sunday walk. Brenner walked the entire walk with him (dropping the poor thing numerous times) and chuckled when it kept biting him.

 Next up was a praying mantis. Nola it pointing to it on Brenner's coat. She is as interested now as Brenner is...well almost!

 Brenner swinging his sister. She says "Higher, higher!" She goes a bit too high for my comfort.

 Nola asking if I would like some yogurt. Thank you, sweetie.

 Nola flying with Papa!

 Big girl drinking some hot cocoa. Too big for her own good......

 We see this alot these days. Hand on hip, finger pointed, and a lecture. I honestly don't know where she gets it :)

 Nola is also an expert at the throw yourself on the ground tantrums. Check out the look I am getting here. Nola was mad because I wouldn't carry her around the yard so she refused to leave the front porch.

Nola's attitude has gone as far as to attack Papa with force!

Some of Brenner's school work. The one on the left is "Fire" and the other is a color coding sheet. Good job, buddy!

A cookie sent from Aunt-ta Theresa and Uncle Chuck. Yes - it is as big as his head!

My sweet family. Love this smile on Brenner!

Hello October!

Wow - we can't believe that it is October already! It was another busy week for us with some cooler outside time and a trip to Chuck E. Cheese.....our first and we survived!

 Last Sunday Matt was grilling burgers when Brenner suggested we have a picnic. What a great idea - it was a really fun time with lots of laughs!

 Nola (aka yogurt face) and Brenner (aka talks with mouth full) thought something was pretty hilarious!

 On one of our evening walks, we ran into Batman and his side kick, Little Batman!

 Some of Brenner's homework from this week. This is probably the best I have EVER seen him color inside the lines. And his name looks good too! Note the scratched out letters before the "B" because it had to be just right. Way to go buddy!

 We bribed (yes you read that correctly) Brenner on Saturday that if he did well at getting our pictures taken that we would go to Chuck E. Cheese. Brenner had never been before and had a great time! So did Matt who played most of the games with him.

 Check out Brenner and Matt's mouths...same expression!

 Nola had some fun too!

 Lady behind the wheel!

 Nola blowing the cornmeal muffins to cool them off!

 Brenner's bird and frog that he made in Sunday school class. He really liked the frogs loooong tongue!

Nola being a silly girl in the laundry basket. What a gorgeous little hambone!