Happy Halloween!

Last year, as Halloween ended, Wyatt announced that he wanted to be a skeleton for the next Halloween. WHAT!? The child who was a garbage man/can for the last three years wants to be something different! Yes, child, a skeleton you shall be. We found a costume that fit him and called it done.

Colby has had a slightly more difficult time choosing a costume. He hemmed and hawed, eventually deciding to be a pirate "so I can wear gold coins around my neck!" Ooooookay. Mommy took him to the store to find pirate garrrb (haha) and what did he end up selecting? A SKELETON costume. Wyatt was less than amused upon finding out that he and his younger brother were both going to be the same thing.

Sooo, Wyatt decided he wanted to wear his skeleton costume to his school Halloween party and for trick-or-treat he would be a mad scientist. So much for a simple holiday.

At least Jackson's costume was easy. Like his two brothers before him, he'll be donning the most adorable lion cub costume ever worn. Daddy was a little disappointed that Mommy nixed his idea to dress Jack as Chucky (the doll from the horror movies). After all, "He has the hair already!" Nope.

With temps forecasted to be in the 40s around trick-or-treat time, we may not get far this year but we'll enjoy ourselves, whatever we're dressed up as.

Wordless Wednesday

Operation Pumpkin

Every fall, Hamilton has a fun pumpkin festival called Operation Pumpkin. This year we decided to check it out. We were totally unprepared, though, for the ginormous gourds we discovered there. We're talking pumpkins that nearly weighed a ton. As you can see, Jackson liked this creamsicle colored beauty. "Bobo!" he yelled. (Translation:  "Pumpkin!")

Wyatt and Colby were just as thrilled. It was nice that the pumpkins were on display and the kids were welcome to touch them and see them up close.

Another beauty.  And please note Wyatt's uniform--hoodie, comfy pants and boots. Every. Day.

In addition to giant pumpkins, there were some sizeable watermelons. 

We also enjoyed seeing some amazing carved creations. Here, the boys show off Darth Vader.

Would you like to build a snowman?

 

And no trip to downtown Hamilton is complete without admiring the sculptures. The boys joined Lentil and Harmony in their parade down High Street. These statues are right across the street from Colby's school, and we pass them every day.

We also love Alexander Hamilton, or as we call him, Batman! Colby does a great impression of this statue, doesn't he?

Wordless Wednesday

Fourth of July

Our Fourth of July was pretty low-key, but it was still a fun one! We went to the Fourth of July parade in Hamilton in the morning. There were veterans in Corvettes, Shriners in little cars (Daddy's favorite), marching bands, and lots and lots of flags. The boys enjoyed waving their flags at the participants--in between bites of ice cream, that is.

Later, we grilled out and ate dinner on the deck. This is a rare treat for us, and the boys ate it up. (Pun intended.) They especially loved having cupcakes for dessert. Hmmm...seems like we love our desserts around here!?

The next night, Daddy took the boys to see fireworks at Hueston Woods State Park. Colby wasn't a huge fan, but Wyatt seemed to have a good time!

We enjoyed wishing America a Happy Birthday, and we're thankful to call this great country home!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Fenwick Festival

Yesterday evening, we found ourselves with only two children! (Wyatt was spending the night with Mamaw Mary and Grandpa Danny.) We decided to take Colby and Jackson to the Fenwick Festival, and we ended up having a fun time! Colby rode the giant slide with Daddy, something he wasn't ready to do last summer at the County Fair. As he would say, "I'm FOUR now." Of course, four-year-olds have way more fun. We rode a few other rides and enjoyed a pulled pork dinner. Mommy and Daddy entered a basket raffle. Colby had a blast playing games, including Mommy's favorite Price is Right game--Plinko! He won a handsome purple plastic samurai sword. As we prepared to leave, we were treated to a hot air balloon launch. We got pretty close as the pilots and crews filled the balloons--close enough to make a certain four-year-old nervous. All was well, though, as we watched the colorful balloons lift off.

A couple of days later, Mommy got a phone call and was surprised to learn that we actually won a basket in the raffle! We're now the proud owners of a Vera Bradley duffle, wallet, and bulletin board. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Mudhole

What happens when it's a hot day and you just don't feel like waiting for the pool to fill up? You take out your water hose, of course! And then you spray it up in the air so your crazy kids can run through the water and cool off. And you think, "Yeah, I've got things completely under control. I can think on my feet. I'm flexible."

Until...your crazy kids realize that the water has created a small mudhole in the yard. But is any mudhole a small one when boys are involved? Uh, no. Before you know it, they're sliding in the mud, wiping it on themselves, wrestling in it. Your gut tells you to stop them. They'll get dirty! They'll need showers! We need to go eat lunch! But then you see how happy they are and you decide that none of those worries matters. Yep, you've got things completely under control indeed.

Strawberry Fields Forever

We joined some MOMS Club friends the other day to try something new--strawberry picking! The boys enjoyed hunting for big berries, although Mommy had to help Colby out a little. We couldn't have asked for a prettier day to be outside, and we sure did enjoy the fruits of our labor later on. Strawberry shortcakes all around!

A Day in the Life

 The baby makes monkey toes on his stroller.

 Colby channels his inner (and outer) T-rex.

 Wyatt practices his maneuverability.

As Mommy takes a photo of Colby, Wyatt demands that she let him photobomb it. Where he learned that term we'll never know!

At the Zoo

We had a blast at the zoo today. We saw the giraffe eat a snack, admired the tulips, fed some starving goats (haha), and visited the boys' favorite place--the insect house. Jackson did a great job on his first zoo visit, and the boys all agreed that we can't wait to go back with Daddy and show him the giant cockroaches...and the white tiger...and the elephants...and the Night Hunters...and the--well, you get the picture.

Easter Fun

 

We colored eggs with Nana, Papaw and Ava...

 

...and we could tell the kids have matured because this was the first year they didn't toss the eggs into the dye. Instead, they placed them in nicely. :)

 

This guy sat in his high chair and supervised.

 

Pretty eggs!

 

The kids enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt at the park. Wyatt was on a mission!

 

Colby was feeling goofy! He was in a younger age division this year, but next year he'll be in with Wyatt and Ava. Oh boy!

 

 The best part...

 

 ...is checking out your goodies!

The next morning we woke up to discover that the Easter Bunny had visited!

The big boys got new rainboots and nets for catching frogs...

 ...and for his first Easter, Jackson got a bouncy ball and some puffs.

We had great weather and great fun this Easter!

Outside

 Freckle love.

On top of the world.

 Colby's bouquet.

Jack meets a dandelion.


After a loooooooooooooooooong, cold, snowy winter, we're so excited to get back outside!

Six Months

Jackson, you're becoming more active and curious by the day! You love to know what's going on around you. It has made nursing and diaper changes more...um...interesting.

 Sometimes you get in over your head...

 ...and the tears flow.

 Mostly, though, you're all smiles!

 And you look a little like Big Bubba Colby when he smiles!

We love you, little man!

Colbyisms

Colby on bovine obstetrics:

"That cow is huge! When that cow has a baby, it comes out of its mouth and then the cow burps."


Colby on religion:

"Jesus doesn't like monster trucks."


Colby on bad behavior:

"Mommy, maybe when I am asleep I will be gooder."


Colby on geography:

"Do you know where I live?"  He points to a random spot on a random object, such as a couch cushion. "I live right there." He moves his finger two inches to the left. "No, actually I live right there."

Upon being shown his actual home on a county map, he points to a spot on the rug. "No, I live right there." He points back at the map. "My boat lives there. I drive it up the hill and down the fields."

Apparently he now owns a hovercraft.     


Colby on traffic management:

"My hand says CAUTION!"