HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADE

OK, so I went a little crazy with the birthday cake.

Since it was Dade's first birthday party at school I wanted it to be special. It looks like the kids liked it. This was actually the day before his birthday and the next pictures are from his actual birthday.

We still can't believe we were able to get the kids to sit for a picture before the presents were opened.

He was so careful that all the rest of us kept telling him to rip the paper, but slow and steady, slow and steady.

Thank you for the new game Oma and Opa.

These are all the presents from Great Grandpa. Thanks so much.

I think he made a pretty good haul this year.

Our present to him was a fishing pole so he and Dad can go fishing together. Now if the rain would just stop long enough for them to go outside.

He was pretty excited to get a second cake for his birthday.

I just love this sequence of pictures...

Happy 4th Birthday Big Boy. We love you.

PUMPKIN PATCH PART II

I don't know what it is about play houses, but don't you just love them?

As you can see Aislyn loves them too.

And play tee-pees...same thing. So much fun!!

Dade being the big boy. He did fall off this time. He got a pretty good bruise on his arm, but all in all he walked away.

Pint size tractor for my pint size little one.

Now I need to put the two pictures of them standing in front of this sign side by side.

We actually got a picture of the whole family. Not bad.

These are the last of the Pumpkin Patch pictures. The pumpkin patch has had to close due to all the rain. One of the many hazards of this time of the year.

DALLAS ARBORETUM

Every year we visit the Dallas Arboretum during the fall. They have the best activities for the kids. This year we brought a couple of friends with us and the kids had even more fun.

Dade was by far the fastest of all the runners...perhaps because none of the other kids thought it was a race.

This year the arboretum had storybook houses all over. AZ liked this house and just kept walking in and out the doors.

Treasure Island... who doesn't love that story? Dade had a great time "exploring".

The pumpkins are my favorite part and I can't get enough pictures. Aislyn was a little overwhelmed and wasn't sure she wanted to touch them.

Dade on the other hand dove right in.

She looks so sad.

Can you believe he turned 4 two days after this picture?

I love being able to stay home with these two beautiful kids. I am so blessed.

TEXAS STATE FAIR

This was my first visit to the Texas State Fair and I certainly hope it's not the last. Dade loved learning how to be a farmer. Have you ever seen such a cute farmer?

After planting seeds, watering them and harvesting them Dade was able to ride the tractor to the market.

He is definitely thinking farming is a pretty exciting career option.

AZ was too little to be a farmer so she went across the way with Dad to shoot some hoops.

After that we went to see the animals and it didn't take more than a minute before Dade was begging to feed the animals. I have tons of pictures of him feeding sheep, cows, goats, donkeys, etc., but the best was the baby giraffe.

AZ wasn't so sure of the animals. She stayed in Dad's arms the whole time.

My two cute little farmers.

Thank you Texas State Fair. We will see you next year!

PUMPKIN PATCH

We are really blessed to live in a fabulous town that still has a lot of small town charm. One of our very favorite things to do every year is go to the Pumpkin Patch. We have already been two times and will be going again tomorrow. They have fields of pumpkins...

a hay maze decorated with Disney like characters...

and one of these things that spin around and I'm sure knocks out a kids tooth every year.

We went with our ward play group and by the time we were done the boys had moved every single pumpkin to a new place.

AZ took her turn while Mom watched holding her breath.

I love this picture because her eyes are closed and of course you have no idea how tall she really is.

She took a turn rolling the pumpkins, just like brother.

After awhile she had to take a break and thought she might try sitting on one.

Halloween really is the BEST!!!

FHE - HALLOWEEN COOKIES

I have to admit that it might be more for my own enjoyment than for the kids, but I love to decorate sugar cookies. It seems that I can make up any occasion to make a batch of sugar cookies. This year Dade "helped me"... notice all the flour on his arm.

On to the decorating part. I think I passed on my love to this little guy.

I still have high hopes for this little one. Not bad for her first time.

Fingers work much better.

On to the best part...eating the cookies. Look at his mouth.

We had such a fun time. Fall is the best season. Next month...Thanksgiving Sugar Cookies and the month after that...Christmas Sugar Cookies. I can keep this going forever.