Outlets and Trainrides

A few weeks ago we had a free morning, so I decided to take Paige and Carter to the outlets were they have a little train to ride. Carter is obsessed with trains and we hadn't checked this one out yet. Bonus: I got to do some shopping.

Paigey looked so sweet in her shawl.

This boy was so pumped to ride the train!

Waiting for the train:

Meet My "Lil Devil"

No costume would be more appropriate for this little girl! Keith long ago nicknamed her his "little demon," so the costume choie was a no-brainer. But I have to say, she's the cutest 'lil devil I've ever seen!

We snapped these the other day while waiting for Carter's ride to preschool, before going to a neighbors for a Halloween party. Paige was so excited to go to the party and seemed so old at playgroup without her brothers!

Annual Halloween Party

Every year our good friends, Rob and Julie, have an adult only Halloween party. It is something we all look forward to every year. Each year there is a theme (you may recall our '80's gear last year or K-fed and date the year before). This year our costumes were supposed to be in "keeping with the economic times." Our friends were all very creative. The hosts dressed up as AIG execs, opening their home to all the less fortunate, using bail out money for the party. Many came straight from their homes on the street with "will code HTML for food" signs or from the trailor park. Others dressed as Uncle Sam, a mom going back to work, and Sarah Palin (we think). There was even Dog the Bounty Hunter and Jon and Kate Gosslin there!

No, Keith did not get confused and think it was last year's 1980's theme again. He decided to do his own thing with nothing to do with the theme. It is a long story, and inside joke with our friends, but I'll just say it was a success and it involved several costume changes throughout the night.

I didn't bring my camera, but snapped this before we left. Thanks Chase for watching the kids!

Carving Pumpkins

We let the boys completely take control of the pumpkin carving this year. They drew their own faces and actually did most of the carving too. (Yes, mom, they used knives...they all still have 10 fingers!)

Carter was very serious about his work:


Okay, so maybe they do everything by themselves. This was Carter's reaction when we told him he had to clean it out:

Poor little Paige didn't get to enjoy pumpkin carving...she woke up from her nap with 102 temp. and in no mood to play...poor baby.

So, we turned her pumpkin into this. Super yummy (if you ask me...not so much if you ask Keith).

I can't believe Halloween is over now as I'm posting this, and I didn't get a picture of the finished product. Err!

Fall Photo Shoot

I have SOOO much I should be catching up on that has happened, but it's too overwhelming. So, instead of trying to play catch up right now, I'm just starting here and now. Just know we had an awesome summer and busy October!

Unlike most Ohio Octobers (usually my favorite month!), this October has been unusually cold and rainy, so when we had a semi-nice day last week I called Stephanie to help me with an impromptu family photo shoot.

These were some of my favorites.

Carter's Friend Birthday Party

Carter wanted a Build A Bear party for his birthday, but honestly, I'm not a fan. Yes, the store is cute, their stuff is cute, but I hate the way the parties are set up. I hate that there is no where to go, besides the mall foodcouart, to open presents and eat cake. So, I found a great store online that I was able to buy adorable animals and stuffing. They even had little stars like Build A Bears hearts.

We went the whole orange theme because it's Carter's favorite color.

Carter Family Birthday Party

Welcome to Carter's Candy World:


Remember the flower pot from Paige's birthday party? I refurbished it:

The candy buffet:

The only things this boy loves more than candy and snacks are cars, trucks, planes and trains.

Whitney and I bought cute coordinating outfits from Gymboree to go with the theme, but Paige was having nothing to do with a picture together.

She prefered the slide:

He opened some presents before I was able to snap a picture.

Back to Preschool

Carter started preschool again this month and was so excited to go back! He adores his older brother and wants to be just like him.


The best part: his first day was also his birthday so he got to take treats to all his new and old friends at school.

Have I said lately how much I love this boy? Because I do!

First Grade, Here I Come

Brace yourself, everyone...after taking the summer off, I'm finally posting again.

I can't believe my little Ty is in first grade! This is his first year in all day school and I was not excited about letting him go. He is now away from me long than he is with me and I had a hard time accepting that he is now going to have so many outside influences on his sweet little spirit!


Waiting for the bus with his little brother and neighborhood buddies...



While he was gone Carter and I made Ty a "Happy first day of first grade" cake and shared it with some of the neighbors when they got off the bus.

We made these cute apple-shaped cake pops for their teachers. A little bribery never hurt anyone.