Family Fun

We loaded up and went down south last Saturday to a pumpkin patch/farm. We had heard about it from several people and thought we would check it out.

The first thing we did was take a hay ride around the grounds.

They told us about all the different things they grow on the farm and the history of the farm. One of the things being, a couple of fields of sunflowers. They said we actually missed it by a few weeks when they where all in full bloom.

AEH and I picked a few before we left and brought them home and put them in a vase.

They had a Sudan grass maze. The kids loved running through this but they mostly liked trying to hide from us.

They always love feeding goats.

EMH and I checking out the other animals.



They had what they called, sand mountain. It was a big pile of sand that had some big ropes hanging down over it for you to swing from. AEH loved this!

SLH even decided to give it a try.

This was one of EMH's favorite things. It was a hay maze for preschoolers. He wouldn't do it by himself at first but he got his confidence up and got the hang of it.



This was a big black tunnel slide and it was pretty steep. SLH put EMH on it by himself the first time and I don't think that went over too good. By SLH's reaction and snicker, I think it was a little rough. Probably glad I didn't see it. So needless to say SLH went down with him the rest of the time. AEH went down this a lot with some kids that she met.

This tunnel was in the preschool area and was more EMH's style. It didn't have a slope. He went through this several times.


Another favorite! Driving a pretend tractor! We had trouble getting him off of this when it was time to move on to something else.

We each got to pick out a pumpkin to take home. They had a large hay bale maze behind the pumpkins and they were more interested in that than picking out a pumpkin.

Posing with the pig!

EMH giving the pig a kiss!

When we told them it was time to go, EMH took off down the hill. He did not want to go!
This is SLH bringing him back. Notice EMH has different clothes on. He wet through his other ones. They were having so much fun that we never stopped to change his diaper.

This was the scene in the back seat, not long after we got on the road to head home. They loved it and were worn out! We will definitely have to try to go back next year!

Halloween Weekend

We have had a fun Halloween weekend!

We started it off on Friday at AEH's school. They had a Hoe-Down all morning and the families were invited to come. EMH actually had a Halloween party at his school at the same time so it worked out good that he could just come to this and we could all be in one place. It started at 8:30 and ended after lunch. The kids dressed in their cowgirl and cowboy outfits and enjoyed a morning full of fun activities.


They started off singing some songs outside on a stage. EMH and I barely made it! We were walking up as they were singing their last song. AEH was scanning the crowd to see where we were. This is when she spotted us. Boy, am I glad I made it! Well sort of made it. ;)


Next was the square dancing in the gym. EMH even participated, but only while I was dancing with them. Hence why I have no pictures of us.


This was probably her favorite. The hay ride! She enjoyed sitting with her friends! EMH enjoyed it too.
As we were getting off, SLH had arrived and was waiting for us. AEH was so excited to see him!



We went inside to their class room and they colored a piggy bank. AEH's didn't make it home with her because she accidentally dropped it as she was getting on the bus. :(

Yes, I dressed for the occasion. Aunt Suzi let me borrow her hat and I wore my cowboy boots.


Brother was enjoying some skittles while they painted their pigs. He also wore his cowboy boots.

Next they took a class picture.

Their favorite,the funny one!

The last thing they did before their picnic lunch was watching and learning how a horse is fitted for horse shoes. They were very intrigued by this, as were the parents. It looked so painful for the horse but they promised that the horse didn't feel a thing.


Saturday night was our trick or treat night. We had an interesting combination.

Princess Leia and a Dalmatian dog.

As you can tell in the above photo, our dog wasn't sure about his costume. Meme and Ampy had stopped by to see them and bring some goodies. With Meme's help and waving some candy in front of our dog, we finally got a little smile out of him.

To no surprise, our Princess Leia was ready for the night!

AEH has a friend in her class at school that lives in our neighborhood and they invited us to trick or treat with them. We went on a hay ride with them around the neighborhood.

EMH loved it! He kept saying "I get candy".

AEH's friend also has a brother the same age as EMH, so they had fun trick or treating together as well.

AEH and her friend had a blast running from house to house getting candy.

This was taken as AEH would say, "the real Halloween day", on Sunday morning before church.

Like I said last year, it will be interesting to see what they choose to be for Halloween next year!

Busy, busy, busy!

WE ARE STILL HERE! It has been crazy these last few weeks. I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted. I don't even know where to begin.
Well, first of all, I have had a sinus infection/cold for about 3 weeks now. I went to my ENT for the second time today. He did a scope and didn't see anything unusual. I have taken two antibiotics, a steroid pack and several different antihistamines and decongestants. My mom said the other day that our kitchen counter looks like a drug store. Nothing seems to be working. I think a little rain would help. He gave me a new antihistamine and a nasal spray today. So we will see how that works. I am suppose to sing a solo this coming Sunday and I really need to get well. I may go in on Thursday and get a steroid shot to get me through the song on Sunday. AEH had an ear infection last week and EMH had bronchitis a couple of weeks ago. They are well now. SLH has had something similar to what I have. I have been so tired from the medicines and every chance I get, I want to take a nap. I haven't been able to go to church because of the coughing. I almost had to leave out of the choir loft the last time I was there. I have just kept going but not been 100%for anything. I mean I couldn't just shut down for 3 weeks.
We celebrated my birthday. I had several birthday meals the week before my birthday.
This was one night after we went to Pizza Inn. We picked Pizza Inn obviously for the kids. If they are happy then it makes for a much more pleasant experience. I got my presents this night...gift cards and clothes. I had lots of help blowing out the candles.
We did go out to one of my favorite's the night before I left, Cheddars.


I left for my girls trip on my birthday. We had a great time. We shopped, ate, played games, stayed up late talking and just enjoyed getting away and spending time together.
This was our first night at the Oyster House.


This was our last night at the Hangout.

Our packages took up all the room in the back. We had our luggage on the top. This was after we had already taken some out.


SLH took the kids to Birmingham for the weekend. They met up with his family. My Nephew was playing soccer there. So they just made a weekend of it.

We took the kids to the State Fair this past weekend and they had a blast. We went with our friends the C's. We have gone with them for the past several years. It is so neat because our kids are the same ages and it works out well riding rides together. The kids loved all the rides. I think they would have stayed out there forever if money and time would've allowed. They just couldn't get enough. AEH got her a funnel cake and of course we brought home some taffy. The Fair and all it entails is right up her alley. EMH loved it too. He didn't know much last year but this year he was taking it all in. There was not a ride they wouldn't try. No fear in those two.









Another reason I haven't been blogging is I am reading a book that Meme gave me. I don't think I have read a book since AEH was born. It is "Choosing to See" by Mary Beth Chapman. She is the wife of the Christian Contemporary singer Steven Curtis Chapman. They have 3 biological children and they adopted three girls from China. They lost their youngest daughter from China in a tragic accident. I followed their blog for several months after the accident. It is a great book about their life and all the ups and downs they have faced. The only time I get to read is at night after the kids go to bed and that is usually the time I update my blog. Hence the reason I haven't been blogging.
We are also car shopping. I leased my SUV for three years and the lease is up in November. We are trying to decide what we want to get and if we want to buy or lease again. We are probably going to buy which makes us want to be a little more picky, knowing we will be driving this longer. It takes a lot of time to go look for car and the only time we can go together is on the weekend.
My house is a mess and has suffered with us being so busy and me not feeling good. It is driving me crazy. I don't even know where to begin cleaning.
Our shrubs need trimming and new straw put out but that can't happen until I get well. Breathing all of that would probably put me in the hospital.
We have a lot of events going on the next two weeks with Halloween. With AEH being in school now and EMH going two days a week, it makes for many events during the holidays. This is also the time of the year when SLH travels. He will be gone four weekends between now and the end of the year. It's going to be a busy rest of the year.
AEH also has a birthday coming up and we are trying to decide what to do for that.
Having said all of this, I am still thankful for a house to clean, money to buy a car, medicine for my sinuses and most of all, kids and a husband to love and care for.
But for now, I am off to go read my book. :)