Happy Halloween

2004:


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2012:

Fall Fun

Fall is my favorite time of year. The weather finally cools down and there are so many fun things to do as a family. There are so many fall festivals and pumpkin patches each weekend.

We went to this pumpkin patch last year too! They have pony rides, tractor rides and pumpkins of course.

 

Field Trip

I knew James would love his very first field trip....because it was to a fire station!! It is the same fire station that we drive over to EACH day after school to look at the fire engines. It is safe to say that James was thrilled.

 

The firefighters gave the class a tour of the fire house, let the kiddos climb on a fire truck and had some hats and coloring books to take home.

 

James looks at this picture and says, "Look! It's me and all my friends!" AMAZING what a difference a couple months make!



The firefighters even let the kids squirt the hose:



He had a blast!

The Squishy Nose Smile

Our Weekend in Pictures

My week felt like I stepped on this ride and couldn't get off. I was in a horrible mood at the end of it. But a weekend filled with some family fun snapped me right out of my funk. Here are some of my favorite Instagram pictures from the weekend.

Derby 2012

Stella's Brownie Troop participated in a Powder Puff derby. I was given a block of wood and four wheels. Stella decided that she wanted to make her car in the shape of a cat...specifically her old cat, Mr. Blackwell, aka "Mack Mack". She decided her car would be called "Mack Attack".

Tony took her to his friend, Doug's, shop. They cut the wood into the shape of a crouching cat.


Then she painted the car black and added some googly eyes.



Daddy put the wheels on and we were all so impressed with the end result!!



The race was held at the twins school and it was an all morning affair. The girls entertained themselves while the cars were registered and then put in the impound lot.




Even James jumped right in:)

Some of the cars:




\
Mack Attack!!



In the end, Stella's car did not place in the top 6. However, she enjoyed building the car with Tony and the day was fun for all of us!

Concert

Thomas and Stella went to the Young People's Concert on Friday with school. They had to get a little dressed up:) Don't they look cute?

Buzz

Nine.

Nine years.

What do I know after nine years?

I know I enjoy the peaks of a marriage versus a valley. But after going through a valley, the peak is much sweeter.

I know that our life is beautiful and we need to be protective of it. We have each other and three beautiful children; it's everything I ever wanted. I remind myself of that when there is sickness, dirty dishes, a busy calendar or unpaid bills.

I know that this time won't last forever. Our children will grow up, we will get older, our house won't have toys everywhere. I feel like we are both better at enjoying this time.

I know that we still like each other. When we do get time alone, we still have fun:)

I know that we don't know it all but it doesn't get any better and there is no one I would rather have at my side.

I love you Tony!