Pumpkins

But of course... the obligatory pumpkin pictures...

This past Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market at La Centerra.  I wanted the kids to pick out pumpkins and I love getting fresh produce from the local farmers there, and there's always some yummy homemade jams or bread.  Kaden saw the pumpkins as soon as we walked up, and ran straight for the "big, huge, giant one."

"I want this big, huge, giant one mommy!"  He could not get over that big pumpkin.  I was really tempted to get it for him, as happy as it made him.  I asked him what we would do with a pumpkin that big and he said, "We can get lots of seeds from it!"  I'm still tempted to surprise him with one.  And in that case, I'll be baking pumpkin pies for everyone we know and we'll be eating pumpkin seeds for months!  Look how happy that pumpkin makes him!

 And amazingly, I actually got a shot with all three kids smiling!

I also found a treat for myself at the Farmer's Market.  I joined an organic produce co-op.  I've been wanting to join one for a long time, but it seemed so complicated.  But it turns out there's one that brings the orders to La Centerra every other week.  The Co-op works where you get organic food at better prices, and you get a selection of whatever fruits and vegetables are bought locally for that week.  So, you find out what you're getting the day before. It'll be good for us because we like lots of variety, and it will help introduce me to some new veggies I haven't tried to cook before.  This week, for example, they had bok choy.  A friends sent me a yummy recipe to use it with shrimp and vermicelli pasta (something else I've never cooked before) and it was so yummy.  Incredibly, all the kids loved it.  Even Linc, who has been avoiding most vegetables lately.  I love how fresh the produce is, knowing that it's locally grown and that it's all toxin-free.  We'll see what other food adventures I have with my next order in 2 weeks.  We ran into Bama and Great-Grandmother Carol at the Farmer's Market.  GG Carol laughed at me as I fed Linc a chocolate chip cookie one of the vendors gave to the kids, while paying for my healthy organic produce.   Linc enjoyed every bit of that cookie - well, the bits that didn't end up on his face.

Last week, my friend Erin took Tayla along with her two daughters Avery & Charli to Enchanted Gardens to take pictures with the pumpkins.  Look how great they turned out!  Thanks Erin!

Then Saturday night we had a Halloween Party at the Smith's.  Here's a sneak preview of the cutie patooties' costumes this year...

our "Glam Witch" (but, of course), Hulk (this would be the 2nd year he's been Hulk - what can I say, the kids loves big muscles, like Daddy), and our adorable little skeleton.

I mean really, have you ever seen a more adorable skeleton?  I love him in this costume.  He wasn't really sure what to think of everyone in their costumes - but he did LOVE my wig.

 

I was The Octomom... really didn't have to add that many kids to play the part. :-)

We had a nice lazy Sunday. We played at the house, then went to the park.

 

I LOVE this picture of Linc.  He was having so much fun putting on his construction hard hat and using his little saw.

While Kaden cozied up and  watched Caillou.

Then it was Kaden's turn to play...

while Linc cozied up.

Tayla had her first Brownie meeting that afternoon, then we went over to Frammy's house for dinner.  The kids love playing at Frammy's because they get to spend hours on the four-wheeler and now they also have her new golf cart to ride around on.  Tayla got to drive Kaden in the golf cart all by herself - Mom and Bama were a little unsure about that idea, but Frammy was sure it was just fine.  Turns out, Tayla's not a bad driver and she avoided crashing into a tree or throwing her brother off (fortunately the golf cart doesn't get going very fast!)  Here are some pictures of the kids running around outside and Linc exploring on the golf cart.

Linc found this tiny acorn and he threw it and chased it around over and over again for the longest time.  He was adorable as he'd run around looking for it.

Linc loves his big brother and he's starting to want to do everything Kaden does.  Outside, Kaden would run around in circles, and Linc would just follow right behind him, not quite understanding the game, but knowing that if big brother was doing it, it must be cool.

Mothers Day & Baby Dedication

My Mother's Day was wonderful this year. I got Breakfast in bed... at 7am... but there was coffee, and at least I was still in bed at 7 am, instead of rambling around in a daze, trying to get children dressed and get "Pat, Pat" (Little Einsteins) on the tv. Tayla brought me a beautiful and very creative card she made and a little book she also made for me at school. 10 Reasons Why I love my mom... She loves me because, I make her dinner, I'm sweet to her, etc. Oh, and Reason #3? "I love my mom because she's sometimes in a nice mood."
Nice.
Well, at least she looks for the positive in life! (on a side note, I'm not sure which is better, this, or my friend Erin's book, written by her 2nd grader, which says "My Mommy loves my daddy because... he has big feet!")

We tried to take a nice family picture, but this is the best we could get. Kids are so cooperative!

We also had the boys Dedicated on Sunday. Our Church does a Baby Dedication, a scripture is chosen for each child and then the church prays over them, and the family. All the Grandparents came and my brothers and sisters. It was fun having all the family in church with us and a nice way to spend Mother's Day. I was concerned about how our active little Kaden would do up on stage in front of the entire church. This is his first thought about checking out all the fun wires and equipment for the sound system. But once Daddy he held him he was a perfect angel. He waved to the church and gave the pastor a five.The boys were each given their own Bible and Certificates with their scripture on them.
Lincoln's scripture is "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13
Kaden's scripture is "The child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40
I think both are very fitting. I hope desperately that Kaden will grow and be filled with wisdom and grace! And Lincoln's made me smile where it says "Be strong." I'm sure he'll get that sentiment often. Kaden likes to walk up to me and start playing rough, and when I say, "Ow, that hurts," he says "Be tough, mommy, be tough!"

The Dolan Clan (Kelly's family)

The Glass/Cole/Thom Bunch (Ken's family)

After church both my family and Ken's family had Spaghetti dinner at my Mother in law's house. Ken and I are spoiled. We have the greatest in-laws! My parents and his parents all get along great so we get to do holidays and family stuff together with everyone, and we all enjoy the crowd.

Yep, that's a tattoo on our 6 month old baby.
Once Daddy put Lincoln in this outfit, he just knew it needed some tattoos. He's got a dragon on the left shoulder, just like daddy, and another one on the right.

Daddy & Lincoln

Tayla & Kaden with Cousin Emma.
They love getting in the hot tub at Frammy's house.

Grandma & Lincoln

Kaden gets naked any chance he can find!
I'm pretty sure he's watching to see if Frammy is going to feed the horses.

Ken's brother, Gary & his wife, Erin came in town for the weekend to surprise Mom.

Ken cuddling with his momma - and is that him sucking on his thumb??
Be sure to tell him you saw this picture. He'll thank me ;-)

Muffins with Mom

We had Muffins with Mom this Tuesday at Kaden's Preschool. We got to eat muffins and juice together upstairs and then we went back to the classrooms where the kids sang a song about moms, and then Kaden gave me a flower in a pot that he had planted, with a cute picture of him and a heart-shaped pin he made for me to wear, that he had decorated all by himself! I think Kaden's favorite part was the chocolate muffins (because of course anything food-related is his favorite!) but I must say, my favorite part was the singing. Kaden was the best singer there!