5 Question Friday

1. If you could be a fly on any wall, which would you choose?
Hmmmmm....I think Avery's preschool teachers. I truly can't imagine what their days are like and the things they hear from 10 2 year olds.
2. Do you budget your Christmas shopping or just get it done without budgeting?
I have always budgeted for fairness purposes, but now I budget so I don't spend too much, too. I hope it won't be long until it is only for keeping the love even, it is so fun to spoil those you love!
3. What is the craziest fad diet you have ever done?
I did South Beach once for a few weeks it works but it is nuts! I have to say feeding baby boys is the best diet I've ever been on!
4. Is there a TV show that you have seen every episode/season of?
I think I've seen all of Grey's Anatomy.
5. What one song always pulls at your heart?
Super Cheesy but I love The Star Spangled Banner and The Lord Bless You and Keep You!!

It's Almost Here

We are getting so excited around our house!

Because Halloween is almost here!!!!

Hanky has been practicing wearing his Bull's Eye hat,

 Avery had cowboy day as a preview to his Woody day!!

And tomorrow Avery, Hank and I are going to celebrate the Birthdays of TWO of our favorite witches...

Aunt Susan Jo turns the big 5-0

 We get to go see her in North Carolina!

Aunt Linde turns the big 2-8 on the 31st and she's going with us to North Carolina so we get to be with our TWO FAVORITE Halloween Birthday girls for 4 WHOLE days!!!!

We hope you have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Big Text

A few weeks ago we had family fun day at the fair!!!

Avery road the carousel and LOVED it. 

He generally figured out to wave about the time he passed his adoring audience of 5 (I LOVE that our kid has 5 people who will cheer for him while he rides a carousel)

Avery also decided that he is really into car shopping and climbed in and out of every car we would let him.  We didn't make it to the petting zoo or dog show because someone had so much fun in the car building.

I also had big fun trying some fried, crazy food.  We decided that while we have been to the fair before we could still count this as a 30 in 30 since the fair food always changes. 

The participants were Mom, Dad, Linde, Jeff, Michael and myself. 

Fried Mac N Cheese

-we were all pleasantly surprised, it was actually very cheesy and good.  Mom, Linde and I rated it our favorite! 

Fried Frito Pie

-Dad, Jeff, Mom, Linde and myself

-I liked it, it wasn't life changing I think everyone else thought it was just ok

Fried Honey Bun

-Linde, Mom, Jeff, me

-I thought it was okay, they liked it more.  We all agreed you don't really need to fry a honey bun it really didn't change it much!

We also had some tried and true favorite, tator twisters and fried pickles can't be beat and my crazy family loves the corny dogs, too!!

.

Avery dined on a big as his face cookie on the bus home from the fair!!

He has decided he loves "Big Text" and asks if we can go see him and get a cookie almost daily!  It sure is fun to live near the State Fair of the greatest state in the union!!

5 Question Friday

It's that time agin...

1. Who is the better cook, you or your spouse?

Cook, me for sure, but Michael is a FABULOUS griller!

2. How often do you talk to your mom?
I would say at least once a day, usually 2-3 and I talk to my sister as much or more

3. Are you adventurous in the kitchen or stick to the recipe?
I am a recipe girl!  I will occasionally make adjustments, but i love having a recipe with real measurments, not dash, pinch, etc

4. Is your second toe longer than your big toe?
ew no!

5. Do you dress up for Halloween? (Bonus question: What will you be this year?)
does a halloween t-shirt and a witches hat count?  that's what i usually wear while i run around like a crazy person at trunk or treat....but this year we just might dress up!

New Family Pictures

Well, you know we LOVE Lisa Woods.  If you want to know why follow this link
http://www.nowandthenphotography.com/blog/

7 months of fun with Hank

Well, I can't believe it is already that time again.  The littler prince is now 7 months old.  We finally made it to the pediatrician  for his 6 month check up and he remains long and lean.  He is also a sweet, happy boy and I am so thankful.  He was a trooper as we tromped all over the fair on Saturday.  While Hank didn't try the fried specialties he is enjoying the world of baby food.  So far I am making baby food again and it is working great.  I never thought I could do it, but wholesomebabyfood.com is my best friend. 

Hank continues to think that Avery is the best in the whole world!  He is also starting to follow in Avery's footsteps and think Michael is quite fabulous.  We are now the proud owner of one tooth, and I think that number 2 is not far behind.  We love our Hanky Panky and will be so proud when he can find his own passy on those few nights he still calls out for a little assistance finding it.  :) 

Embrace the Punkins

 Yesterday we went to the Pumpkin patch.  It was so much fun!  I had a blast with these 2 punkins.

And all these punkins for that matter!

 Avery, Charlie

Connely, Easton, Eden, Hank

We had a good old fashioned study buddy reunion at the pumpkin patch.  Amie, Christi, Heidi and I have come a long way from our days in nursing school!

(I can't decide what I love most about this picture....Connely crying?  Charlie gripping Easton's head?  Avery's blank stare?  Hank and Eden squished into each other and the pumpkin?)

Such cuties!

Isn't he strong???

My new FAVORITE picture.  A big smile from Avery doing his favorite thing a jumping in a bounce house!

     

It sure was fun to see these sweet girls and their sweet mamma's, too!

 His shirt says "frightfully cute," I agree!

I think it is so fun that Charlie and Avery and Hank and Easton will be in the same grades!

Nursing school may not have been the best experience of my life, but I am so thankful for the four best friends I wouldn't have made without it!

Wondering

If you know me well, you know I am not a worrier.  Mostly it's just not my nature to worry, and also Michael worries enough for both of us. :)

But sometimes I do wonder about things.  Like I wonder, will Wee 3 be a Sadie or a baby no name...(no number 3 is not in the works ANYtime soon) I just wonder.  I wonder what sport will be Avery's favorite?  I wonder what will be Hank's first word?  I wonder what it would be like to be a stay at home mom?  I wonder if Avery will really get trunk or treat this year and truly love it?  I wonder if I read to Hank enough?  I wonder when the next Bachelor will start.  I wonder who will win Top Chef All Stars (so excited about that)?  I wonder what it would be like to have a power business woman job?  I wonder why Big Bang and Project Runway and the Office and Grey's Anatomy all have to be on at the same time?  I wonder about lots of things....

But what I am really starting to wonder is if my kid is difficult to be around at school, Sunday school, Bible hour, etc???

I shared my not that serious nap concerns last week.  Well, when I picked him up from school Thursday my concern deepened.  Not only did Avery not take a nap, he attempted to wake up his neighbors when the teachers thought putting him by sleeping kids might help!  THANKFULLY they caught him.  He so did not feel bad, went to the corner, got a little sad and then went happily to the corner the next time the teachers mentioned he might have to go back.  UGH! 

So I had a brilliant idea, nap boot camp.  I made him lay down on his nap mat at home in the living room.  We had already done it in his room, which obviously didn't translate.  I was thinking that having to be quiet and lay still in the middle of the action will help....Thursday it took 1hr 20 minutes a lot of threats, time outs, etc. and then finally a 1 hr nap.  Friday we went and got rewards at the Dollar Store.  That worked a little better and after 20 minutes he did go to sleep.  Saturday meant daddy day, while I was at work we were back to square one.  3 hrs, no naps, rewards, punishments, etc not working...but we got this smile at the end.....maybe my idea wasn't so brilliant...

Now that I think about it, Avery is never sitting at the table when we pick him up from Bible hour.  He was the only kid not looking at the camera in the class picture on the fire truck this week.  I told you about the Bible throwing....So,  wondering is he that kid??

I guess it's a good thing he's cute!

By the way Michael sent this to me this morning after he got the boys dressed and ready and out the door to church AND class all by himself.  i didn't even remember to leave out outfits.  SUPER DAD!