On Paper

This is Dad and Ben standing by the stove. Dad has food in his tummy. We have an orange door.

Halloween, 2011

Certainly not the most creative title but what else can be said for another Halloween in the books?

Every year the whole thing seems to get easier. I think several factors contribute to that end.

1. I found Audrey’s wig and Luke’s costume back in August, so they were taken care of a long time ago.
2. I told both Audrey and Luke they weren’t allowed to wear or play with their costumes until Halloween so that they didn’t become ruined or lost. Mean mom? Maybe. Peace at Halloween? Definitely.
3. Audrey is so much more about freedom of creativity. Just give her a good costume trunk and make-up.
4. Luke is all about Lightening McQueen and socializing. He knows the friends’ houses he wants to go to and he loves chatting it up on the way there.
5. Ben dressed as a motorcyclist. I spent nothing on his costume, he knew exactly where it was, he loves wearing it, it’s his idea of dressing up at this point and he said the helmet kept his ears warm. I’m pretty much planning on that costume for the rest of his dress up years.
6. Taking the kids out gets easier the older they get. Bill just slips on a jacket and follows Luke around. No more strollers, wagons, costumed munchkins tripping on the sidewalk/steps/grass/their own costume.
7. I insist on staying home.  

Our block is becoming quite popular for trick-or-treating. We have great neighbors with just the right amount of kids. It was so much fun to sit out on the front step and watch everyone enjoy the evening. I always love to make mental notes of favorites from the night.

I had two favorite costumes. One was a girl dressed as the Progressive lady “Flo” from the commercials. Another was a brother/sister pair dressed as grandpa and grandma. Grandma had foam rollers in her hair that really were from grandma. Grandpa had a cane walker outfitted with a roll of toilet paper and a rearview mirror (like a bicycle)! Hah! I gave them all extra candy.

A fairy came up to the door in her jacket and explained to Bill that her wings were broken. Bill commented that she must be just flying around in circles then. She looked at him and exclaimed, “I’m not a real fairy!” Then, as she walked off she said something about how she’s not going to church. Not sure what that was about so we decided to leave that up to the fairy parents.

A little pirate, no older than four I’m guessing, spied the biggest treasure of all in our garage- motorcycles! He came up and was sort of saying something as he got some candy. The grandma (I think) informed me of what he was saying so I took him over to the garage and turned on the light so he could see all the motorcycles. Wowee!! That little pirate would have traded all the candy in the world for a motorcycle!!

Now I knew from reading my sister’s Facebook status, that she was dressing Valor up. I knew what he was going to be and I knew since my mom helped out with the costume that he’d be all right, but I had to see him to make sure. Are you ready?

Captain America!!!!!

oh. my. GOODNESS!!!

And the girls? Superwoman and Wonderwoman!

So here’s the mighty trio together…

Here’s one of them revealing his secret power…

Here’s a future riding team… (Captain America rides a motorcycle complete with removable shield, you know!)

Here’s a superhero being smothered by kisses…

Here’s too much trick-or-treating… (very blurry, so sorry)

Here’s ending the night with Super hugs!

We didn’t see the other four but heard they were an Eskimo, Indiana Jones, Mario and Luigi. Perfect!

Thank Offerings

I will present my thank offerings to you.

For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 56:12,13

Let us encourage one another- share your thank offerings with the rest of us by leaving a comment.

Playing

We went to Bill’s parents this past weekend. We brought along a friend, Kiana, to share in all the fun. There was just so much to do; there’s A LOT of pictures!!

Audrey loves 4-wheelin’ much more than motorcycles. Kiana tried it (no pics of that) but I don’t think it was her deal.

Next, Kiana tried the tractor. Grandpa let her drive it around in an empty bean field.

The girls were swinging on the rope in the barn and it broke. They got such a laugh out of it and were so proud at the same time!

A bonfire, then hayride with Grandpa and Grandma’s church. Here you can see Luke, Ben, and Kiana. Audrey was missing because she manned the gate.

Kiana decided she was brave enough to try riding a motorcycle (she told me it was her greatest fear). Bill gave her the how-to’s.

She strapped on her helmet and off she went.

You really can see a smile under a helmet.

As soon as she felt comfortable, she wanted to know where Audrey was. Well, Audrey was in the timber, so Bill took her down to the timber!!

If we are at Grandpa and Grandma’s, we are riding, including the little one. He still needs to practice.

Especially the stopping part. If he catches himself with his right leg, he stays up. Left leg, not so much.

But good thing Mom’s there. While Luke checks his ankle (he always grabs it, rolls it around, makes sure it’s okay and is a main reason why he wears riding boots), I pick up the bike.

Wait, what’s this?

Could it be?

That’s right! I drove another tractor! This time one that had a key, tilt steering wheel, automatic clutch, climate controlled. Nice.

I didn’t do any backwards driving ‘cause this one is a lot bigger and was completely intimidating even though it was very familiar. Plus, I didn’t want to crush these two who were taking pictures. At one point, Kiana noticed the rearview mirror. Can you spot them?

I’m feelin’ pretty good. Nothing was injured in my tractor driving, my father-in-law survived enough to muster a smile at the end. Maybe next time I’m ready to attach something?

Horses.

Grandma was grabbing the late season tomatoes. This picture isn’t meant to be unflattering. Consider it an action shot.

In case you’re wondering how this next shot fits in, well, first notice the incredible blue sky. How blessed we were to have some beautiful weather for us to play out in.

Then, notice how there are more than one things that don’t seem to fit: feed lot, basketball, cowboy boots, Ben not on a motorcycle. If he wasn’t riding, which he was the majority of the time, he was shooting hoops, even after then hayride!

And because I can’t leave him out…

Our weekend at Grandma and Grandpa’s left us totally worn out, but we had so much fun!!!

He’s Smiling Now, Well, Sort Of

Yeah, Uncle Bill’s pretty much taken with his nephew.

(It’s okay if you keep scrolling up to see Valor again and again. I do. )