Happy Halloween!

We had a great time trick-or-treating. Kyle was here for just a short time, he was going out trick-or-treating with his friends and then spending the night at a sleepover. Carter took one look at his costume and burst into tears. Kyle had a "heart" that he squeezed and blood came rushing down over his costume face. Intriguing to Ryan, scary to Carter. The boys had so much fun going around the neighborhood and then returning home to pass out candy to the 72 Trick or Treaters that came to our place. The night always goes by much too quickly!!!

Just to give you an idea...

Check out Carter's facial expressions - this is what I go through to try to get a decent picture of the kids. Some days it is just plain painful...but then I download them and get a great laugh! :)

Winter Arrangement

The trick or treaters were all done - about an hour later, I started with the cleanup process. Down with the Halloween decorations, up with the winter arrangement. Being out of town on the weekends has forced my usual weekend jobs to be completed after everyone is in bed. Seems a little strange to have a winter arrangement out when the temps have been so gorgeous, but I'm not complaining, I love every minute of these warmer temps - a taste of the 20s makes you appreciate every last warm fall day!

Harvest Party

I was excited to volunteer at Ryan's (and Grace's) Preschool Harvest Party today. It was so much fun to sit in on a day in the classroom with these kids! The teachers at Family of Christ are so good with the kids! Today they had story time, sang songs, they "lived" in a garbage can like Oscar the Grouch (Mrs. Skaff), played playdoh, colored, played "duck, duck pumpkin", had snacks, went on a scavenger hunt for pumpkins and played outside. It was great - I am so glad I was able to spend that time with them!

Pumpkin Carving

The boys carved their pumpkins tonight. The pumpkins were "assigned" by Kyle, according to size. Carter wanted nothing to do with carving his pumpkin, so Ryan and I did his, too. Ryan dictated, I cut! :)

Winter Coat Time

Is it really time for winter coats, hats, and mittens? The 20* windchills said it was this morning! Carter wasn't sure about the whole mitten thing, but once he saw Ryan with his on, he did agree to keep his on as well. Sometimes peer pressure isn't a bad thing!!!!

Brrrrr!!!!!!

I woke up to window-rattling 50 mph winds today. I opened the garage door to get the Sunday paper and there it was...the first snowfall of the year. Not sure how well the flakes show up in the photos, but they were large and falling fast. I am NOT ready for snow yet - especially after enjoying a gorgeous 60* day yesterday!!!

Number Cruncher

I handed my calculator over to Carter today - I figured he could make as much sense out of today's economy as any of us!

Our Star

I took these as we were leaving on the morning of his Star of the Day presentation at school. He was so excited!! We sent a video camera and they taped it for us - he did great! Way to go, buddy!

Kiss Anyone?

Chocolate granola bars and Carter....now there's a combination! Look at that mug!

Winter Home

They're in - safe and sound! Almost all fall projects are coming to a close outside...maybe just in time with the looks of the weather forecast!

Family Photos

Our neighbor and photographer, Mandy Birdwell, took our family photos on a crisp, cool fall morning. Wouldn't you know it, Carter had picked the night before to be up all night? That's what happens for picture day, Mandy assured me! Overall, I thought they turned out well. Here are some of the shots she took: