Happy Halloween!

We carved pumpkins on Saturday.  The boys ate a pizza dinner by Jack-o-lantern light!  We roasted the seeds while they made it a movie night.  It was a nice night!


Judging by the look on Nate's face, I am sure you are not surprised to learn that he did not want to touch any part of the pumpkin.

Here you can see Nate has his Christmas microphone.  Nothing better than listening to Christmas carols as we carve a pumpkin for Halloween.  Ha!

 ET drew the face and I carved it.

 Job well done!

 All smiles!

Our trip to the apple orchard...

This year we decided to pick our own apples and pumpkins.  The kids insisted on going on a tractor ride again as well.  I love watching their excitement when we do things like this.  It's like being a kid again!

I wished I would have dressed the boys in cuter Fall attire, but I had planned on them wearing their jackets.  Luckily however, the sun came out and we ended up with absolutely gorgeous weather!  I could have stayed their all day.  It was beautiful!

 

 

 Honey sticks!  Our sweet tradition!

Annual Ribfest!

Our good friends Katie and Bob host an annual Ribfest at their home each year.  This year Jay decided to compete.  He didn't intend on winning, but instead wanted to learn a thing or two.  He ended up winning 3rd place!  Not bad!!!

We had a late night, but it was a lot of fun for us and the kids!!!

The grill masters...

 The winner of the homemade trophy was Bob!!!

 My very close friend, Barb...

ET's School Carnival

On Friday, October 11th ET's school had its yearly school fundraiser!  The boys had a great time, and luckily Jay got home from a business trip just in time to come with us!

The crazy hair booth...

Nate didn't want to participate in every activity, but he sure loved this obstacle course bounce house, set up for the younger kids...

This surfboard type thing whips kids around like a bucking bronco.  It made me nervous, but ET loved it, of course.

 All smiles!  Waiting in line for the big bounce house...

ET impressed everyone here!  He could ring the bell every time!!!  Some of the older kids couldn't even do that.  ET kept getting back in line for this one to do it over and over again.

 Nate "Goin' Fishing!"  I loved this game when I was little!

Nothing sweeter!

There really is nothing sweeter than this...just a Sunday afternoon nap together on the couch.  Every parent knows that they don't stay small like this forever.  Love!

Paul's 40th Birthday Weekend!

WOW!  My hubby is 40 years old; can you believe it?  It doesn't bother either one of us in the least bit.  Paul is so thankful for where he is in life.  He is healthy, his family is healthy, he is loved and appreciated, and surrounded by friends and family who care.  What more could a guy ask for?  We are blessed to have him!!!

Paul and I both took September 19 & 20 off from work so that we could have a long weekend.  On Thursday, Nate and I went to ET's school to have recess and lunch with him.  We had a great time!  After school we picked up ET and went to the Public Works community event.  We ate dinner at Las Margarita's (Jay's request).

On Friday, Jay, Nate, and I went out shopping for a bit.  We had so much fun spending one-on-one time with Nate.  We ate lunch at the nearby motor sports bar.  Friday evening we had dinner at Cowboy Jack's with friends and invited them over for games afterward.  It was a blast!  Our neighbors watched the boys overnight.  ET and Nate had a so much fun sleeping over at their house!

What a handsome guy!!!  I bought him a new pair of jeans and shirt for his birthday.  Doesn't he look nice? :)

Jay did not want me cooking for his birthday, so I insisted that we go buy dessert at Whole Foods.  They have an amazing dessert selection!

 Good times!

Saturday was pretty low key for us.  I don't remember exactly what we did.  I know I took the boys out mid-afternoon so that Jay could get a little R&R.  It's funny how much we all enjoy a nap when we get older.

On Sunday we went to church, watched the Packer's game, and I made Chili (one of Jay's favorite meals).  It was a peaceful Sunday and birthday together.  When I asked Jay to reflect about his last 40 years and think where he will be in the next 10 years, it brought on a lot of emotions.  All good emotions though.  We have just so much to be thankful for!!!

Public Works Community Event...

Our town puts this event on every other year.  The kids love pretending to ride the big trucks.  Nate did not want to drive the big front loader this year.  He was a little too nervous and shy....maybe next time.

Nate is in there with Jay and ET, but he is a little short and I didn't want Jay to lift him over the edge.