Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from our dressed up family to yours!  Clay was dealing with a nasty cold {which I'm sure I'm next in line to get} so our pictures are a little hodge podgy, as was our evening.  But still a spooky good time as always. 

Kids were on the run {have I mentioned lately how big they are getting?}, Grandma trotted along with the littlest, and Clay and I took turns manning the porch and keeping Shelton out of the candy.

So this year, we had a Subway Worker....totally threw me for a loop, but loved Jack's out of the box thinking.

A Cha Cha Ballroom dancer....

And a Fox Trot Ballroom Dancer....Dancing With the Stars, anyone?

And I, of course, pulled out my standard Witch costume.  I feel a change coming on next year.

We never managed a family picture, but we did get a few buddy shots!  Nothing like having a neighborhood of besties.

Boo to You!  Hope your Halloween was Spook-tacular!

Carving Kids

Warning:  This post contains kids with knives!

The sunshine was out today and since we are only three short days away from the spookiest night of the year, we decided it was time to carve our pumpkins!  Have I mentioned, this is getting easier and easier every year on my end?  Basically all I'm needed for is cutting pumpkin lids, supplies and supervision.  Oh geez, these kids are getting so grown up!

My carving kids were soon surrounded by a whole gaggle of friends.  Before we knew it the whole lane was carving pumpkins in our front yard.  Gotta love this hood!

Every year I'm curious to see what my little ones have in mind for their pumpkins.  This year was no exception.  The big reveal is coming, but first we've got to clean these things out!

Next up, draw and cut to perfection.{and please note, Lucy does NOT have a real knife}

Check out this designing in the works...

And now, the big reveal!  Lucy turned her pumpkin into a kitty cat!

Jack made a gruesome pumpkin face, this year complete with teeth!  And how awesome are those eyes?  Love this kid's mind.

And the most creative award, goes to Maggie.  Who you will see is still diligently working on hers.  But when it's complete, it is going to be an amazing bouquet of flowers!  Now beat that idea.

 

The countdown is on...we are ready for you Halloween Night!

Purpose

Since having all three kids in the same school for a full day, I've been looking for some purpose in my life {kidding, but not really}.

Through a dear friend, Clay and I discovered the Hearts and Hands Gala three years ago benefitting the Ronald McDonald House.  The non-profit is a lovely way to help families in need. In essence they provide lodging for families who are in need of healthcare for their children while away from their home towns.  It's a home away from home in sorts.

That being said, with the little extra time on my hands, I've been able to get more involved this year.  Next up, I'll be assisting with the next big fundraiser and more excitingly I'm looking forward to actually volunteering in the local house!

So next time you are at McDonalds drop a little extra change in the donation box.  I promise it goes to an incredible cause.

Not to mention, having a reason to get all gussied up and hang with friends is pretty awesome too!

The Biggest Pumpkins In The Patch

We made our annual visit to the patch this Fall.  Either the pumpkins are getting smaller or my kids are getting bigger.  I'd really like to believe it's not the latter.

Do you think it's possible to "out grow" the pumpkin patch visit?  I kind of thought this might be a possibility after our most recent trip.  I mean everything that used to look so big and exciting {i.e the jump pillow, the pedal carts, the corn barn} actually shrunk this year!  How is that even possible?

When I casually mentioned to the kids, "hey, we might be out growing this place, maybe next year we can just go somewhere and get pumpkins", I got a resounding "NOOOOO!".

So there you have it.  They are growing, the patch and it's activities are shrinking, but it's still a Fall Favorite.  I better enjoy it, right?

After our obligatory pumpkin pictures, the kids were off to explore my favorite Fall farm, Southern Belle.  And apparently, it's still a fave for them too.  In no particular order, {because that's seems to be how my computer uploads pictures these days}, here is some fo the fun we had...

The Best Pig Races in town...

The Corn Barn...{she shouldn't get any cuter if she tried...I adore this toothless wonder!}

The Petting Zoo...

Pumpkin Painting....

The Corn Maze...

Pumpkin Shopping...

The Flower Garden...

Water Duck Races....

The Jump Pillow...

 The Pedal Carts...

The Cow Train...

Tether Ball...

And just like that, we were done.  Everything checked off the list, no one lost, no one crying, no potty breaks...OMGOSH, they are growing up!

Here's to another family tradition that just keeps GROWING! Happy Fall Ya'll!

Beach Break

Happy Fall Break!  I've never really understood this one, seeing as how we just got into swing of things, but who am I to complain?

Especially when we take our break at the beach!  I have to admit, October at the beach is pretty amazing.  No crowds, beautiful weather, and just the perfect last squeeze of sunshine
before the real Fall comes rolling in.

So a beach vaca is pretty self explanatory.  I may let the pictures do the talking non this one {not to mention time is scarce around here this month}.  We made our way down to my hometown beach, rented a dog friendly house, played a lot and got some valuable family time in to!

It doesn't get much better than that!  Enjoy the sunshine and smiles....