Trunk or Treat

Check out our little cowboy. I have a confession...I wasn't planning on getting the kids halloween costumes this year (I know, pretty pathetic). However, my mom found this adorable cowboy hat, Gabe was given the overalls as a baby present (thanks Tuckers), so my resourceful self only had to spend .99 on a bandanna. Allie's costume was free...kind of. She wore it last year for Halloween. It is a size 18 months!!!!!!!! The shirt is a little onesie unbuttoned under the skirt. Allie was timid at first, but once the sugar kicked in....she was literally running circles around me singing "Ring around the Rosie".


Giddy-up purple pony.


"Take us to the candy".
Ruthie and Allie.

Different small groups from church are responsible for their trunk or treat set. I didn't realize how elaborate some of the stations are. They had Plinko, Willie Wonka (see below), a huge Operation game, fire trucks, tractors dumping candy in wheel barrels, etc...

Allie and little oompa-loompas.

Guests

After ATL, Trae, Addy and Jeremy followed us back to Greenville to stay with us for a few days. D & L also came up with son, Nico to visit. The husbands all went to W. Virginia to watch the Auburn game while we stayed home with the kids.

Once the guys returned, the girls went out for Sushi.

Gabe has found his feet.

Allie loving on Nico.

Nico 8 months, Gabe 3 1/2 months.

Allie and the boys. Note her pajamas! She loves to wear night dresses to bed, but the weather is changing and it is too cold for just the dress. We put pj's under them to keep her warm.

ATL

The kids and I spent a few days in ATL last week while Stephen was in TX. The pics below are mostly from Zoo Atlanta. The girls had a great time at the zoo. The rest of the visit was spent breaking up fights between the two of them. They fought like sisters over everything; toys, who sat closer to the tv to watch a movie, touching the other one...EVERYTHING. But we had a nice visit with Trae and Addy.

Gabe video

I know I have been slacking lately on my blog. We have been SO busy...which I will fill you all in later this week. I know there are some grandparents out there missing their grandkids; so this one's for you!

"I'm sorry I touched you"

No, this picture has absolutely nothing to do with the story I am about to tell....but I like to add pics to my posts...and this one just happens to be a new one that I just got my hands on.

I really have to watch what I say these days. We were having dinner last night and I had juggled the kids all day, as usual. Dinner time came and I simply wanted to eat in peace; no constant talking, no crying, no whining, and especially no touching. I needed my space! Allie is a momma's girl, and even sitting at the dinner table she likes to scoot her chair next to mine and sit just as close as possible to me. Last night's dinner was no exception. Her chair and mine are touching and she keeps throwing herself on me....just all over me. Finally, I lost it and said "Allie, quit touching me". She responded in the sweetest little voice I have ever heard, "I'm sorry I touched you". I just melted in my chair.

The kiddos

I am so glad we have 2 kids. (when Gabe was a newborn I would have never said that). But already these kids are so sweet to each other. Allie is constantly in Gabe's face saying in her weird little baby voice "Hey, hey buddy". And Gabe just smiles at her. She loves to kiss him on his head. We all do though....oh, and one of his nicknames is "Q" for cue ball.

Gabers sucking his fingers. He still will only suck on a pacifier when he is cranky and needs to fall asleep. Once he is alseep he spits it out. Any other time he has his hand or fingers in his mouth.

Trying to escape the Bumbo chair.

...and his punishment...
Building those neck muscles.

Back to Belly

Gabe rolled today (while I was taking pictures) from his back to his belly. I had originally put him on his belly for tummy time; which never lasts long anymore because he roll right over to his back. But then he started squirming and went right back over to his belly. So proud of you Gabe!

Praise Band

Most of you know I play the piano...I had an audition tonight for my churches praise band. I was asked to start coming every Wednesday to practice, so it looks like I made the cut. I think once I learn the songs (and find an earpiece that will stay in), I should be on rotation to play once a month. I am SO excited. It was so much fun tonight to mess around with the music and play along with a band. When I say band, it's a band with guitars, bass guitar, drums, keyboard and singers. The music is contemporary Christian...and they are good. So, I am honored to get to be a part of it. I will keep you know when I play my first Sunday.

The newspaper hat and carrot cake

Allie made this hat at school. She didn't want to wear it...so we made Gabe...he doesn't have an opinion (yet).
I didn't know what way it was suppose to be worn....so I took a picture both ways.


We made a carrot cake in honor of my birthday. The batter looks a little unappetizing, but it was so good! Izzy even agrees...she licked some icing off the top (still free to a good home).

Talking Gabe

I've been trying for awhile now to get Gabe to perform for the camera. He has definitely found his voice. He now squeals and laughs when he's excited. Here is a little taste of him talking. (Just ignore me being bossy in the beginning of the video......)

"I love you too much"

As I was tucking Allie in bed tonight, she leaned over to hug and kiss me and said, "mommy, I love you too much". I will have to admit there was a moment tonight right after dinner when I had to close my eyes and take myself to another place...away from Allie barking orders at me left and right, and away from my squirmy, tired, fussy Gabe. Hearing your little girl say "I love you too much" makes it all better!

Gabe's Bud - Zac

Look at him! Our little man is growing up already. He likes to stand now...with help of course. What a lucky woman I am to have these special, little and big, men in my life.

This past weekend we had our friends, Rob and Stephanie over for dinner. Their son, Zac, is the one on the right. He is 6 months old and Gabe is 3 months. I have a feeling these two are going to grow up being buds.

Gabe needs to borrow some of Zac's Rogaine.

...still upset he has a bald melon.

Pumpkin Patch

I love Fall; one of my favorite times of the year. Then again, I probably say that with each season change. We loaded up the family and headed to Stewart Farms this past weekend to pick out our pumpkins and mums.

This is the only pic I was able to snap of the two of them before Gabe slid down. He is a squirmy little booger, but a great baby. I still am amazed how much he smiles and laughs.

Here is our little man posing with the pumpkins. I'm hoping he is our child that likes to be photographed. Allie never smiles on command.

See what I mean? She would rather be doing anything but having her picture made.

Allie and I on the hayride (there were no bales of hay, so I guess its just a tractor trailor ride). Regardless, she lasted all of about 1 minute before she started crying saying she didn't want to ride.

Charlie Brown Tree

Need I say more of this Charlie Brown tree/bush/whatever it is...that my husband brought home from work the other day. He claims it will be big and beautiful next year. Only time will tell; but for now, it lives safely behind our fenced-in backyard.

See that brown spot on her knee? That's poo.

The Splinter

I was pretty darn proud of myself the other day when Allie came to me complaining about her foot hurting. I plopped her up on the counter and found that she had her very first splinter. I hate splinters...but I had to help the poor child. So the surgery began....she did great not kicking or moving, but she did scream through the ordeal. I wish this was a better pic....ahem...honey, I how about that new camera? If you look closely at my blurred hand you can see a dark spec (the splinter) on the upper right of my palm.

"How Sweet"

I LOVE THIS PICTURE! I found it on my MIL's website, and had to copy and save it so I could upload it here. These kids love them some Pappy!

Little Chef

My mother is a great cook. However, growing up, we ate out more than having home cooked meals. Luckily, I married a cook. We cook almost every night and our daughter has taken an interest. She loves to help out in the kitchen any way we will let her. This particular night we were making chili to eat during the Auburn football game. Notice her little plastic knife is upside down...