Happy Halloween

Brian is off work today and we are enjoying a day of carving pumpkins and playing outside in the gorgeous weather. Nolan was a sick bird much of the week, but with the help of some antibiotics seems to be much better and ready for some trick or treating tonight! Here is our ferocious dragon last weekend. Here are a skunk and dragon trick or treating at the Mom and Me Halloween party. I never would have guessed a skunk and a dragon palling around together, but they look like they're having fun!

We'll take lots of pics tonight. Have a great Halloween!!!

Underwear Man

I guess I still hesitate to write this post, just as most parents hesitate to call their kids "potty trained." But today, for the second school day in a row, he had no accidents at school and went on the potty each time. Three weeks ago he wouldn't even sit on the potty at school. Almost all of my friends heard my woes about trying to get him to go potty and everyone reassured me when he decided it was time, he would go. But I was D-O-N-E with the diapers. Come on, when he can tell me to go away because he has to poop (word for word), get a new diaper and practically change his own toosh, it's time to go on the potty for pete's sake! Anyway, I got lots of expert advice and had many friends just listen to me (over and over) complain.

We were using race cars as a bribe to get him to go. I think had we held off and used this tactic later in the game it may have worked. Andi told me that they bought Caleb a gumball machine and that did the trick. Since Nolan loves candy and playing with coins I went out the next day and bought a gumball machine, but replaced it with skittles. That day he pooped and peed on the potty 4 times!!!! The rest, as they say, is history. It just clicked. He still has had some accidents, but what amazed Brian and I is how long it felt like it took to get to this point, but once he started going on the potty, how quickly he caught on consistently!

Way to go, Nolan. My baby really is growing up and we're so proud of you!

Toys For Tots

Last Monday instead of having our usual get together at the church, our Mom & Me group went to the Toys for Tots event going on. Each child donated a toy for admission and then there were some fun games and activities for them to participate in. It was a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather we've been having!

Painting pumpkins. We added Nolan's to our pumpkins on the front porch; when he's with Brian he says, "I made that for YOU!" When he's with me he says, "I made that for YOU!"

Bobbing for apples. I really was wary about this. Chilly weather, all the kids adding spit, germs...okay, just thinking about it makes me ill, but I got over it and at least the kids ate their apples, so any germs they may have caught were fought off with the vitamins in the apple. That's what I'm telling myself anyway.

See...eating. Abby had already eaten much of hers!A race to dress up in grown up clothes. Nolan looks thrilled here, doesn't he?

I think this was the favorite (other than the candy and the playground). Hop Hop!

Chuga Chuga Choo Choo

As I mentioned in my last post, we did make it to the Train Museum after the cute fall festival last Saturday. Nolan had much more fun and his reactions this time around were what we had expected the first time. Hope you enjoy the pics!

Nolan's good pal from church and Mom & Me, Brycen, was there, so Nolan was even more thrilled. Here they are riding the tot sized train.

Watching a really cool model train, which was just recently completed. Daddy & Nolan waving from the window of the caboose!I had to include this because I didn't even ask for this kiss. I don't get alot of uninvited loves and kisses these days because Nolan's too independent and on-the-go for that. I was shocked later when I was going through the pictures and realized my sweet hubby got a picture!!Right before we sat down to eat some burgers and dogs, the real live train passed. You can see Nolan's feet aren't touching the sidewalk, he's too excited to stand and is jumping up and down.Daddy & Nolan:

Surprise Carnival

Saturday we headed to Pensacola because we knew the Train Museum there was having their fall open house. Nolan was sick during our last visit in June, so that put a bit of a damper on the day and we were looking forward to trying again. Brian decided to take a different route this time and so when we pulled onto the street and saw a bouncy castle, we figured we were in the right place. As we walked toward the fun we realized it was not the Train Museum after all, but a grade school fall festival. There was no way at that point we could have convinced Nolan to go elsewhere, so we figured we would stay and have some fun before heading to the Train Museum. It was a really cute carnival and the volunteers/parents were so sweet and the games were very creative.

The bouncy slide:

Nolan got to throw bean bags at the pirate ship and if it spun around and went through the hole, he got to walk the plank and pick a prize. The Pirate tried to hold Nolan's hand when he walked across and he wouldn't have it and told her, "I can do it all by myself." Welcome to my world!I love my guys so much!Little croquet into the alligators mouth...hole in one and there was smoke that came out, pretty cool. Bowling! I got a bit nostalgic when I saw a cake walk. For my own school picnic back in the day my mom used to make the best animal shaped cakes, usually a different one every year. Then I would spend all my tickets playing the cake walk just so I could win the cake back. Unfortunately, Nolan and I didn't win and he wanted to know why he couldn't get have a cupcake.

What was I thinking?

Over the summer my weekly get away was garage "sailing." I would rise before both boys, grab a to-go cup of coffee, which is something I miss from my working-out-of the-home days, and head to garage sales looking for some treasures. High on my list this summer was a toy box. I never found it, and many mornings I came home empty handed or with just a few trucks or books. Other times I came home with junk and Brian looked at me like I was insane. Once in a while I found something really cool for Nolan. But I always came back refreshed and happy. Don't get me wrong, this was not my only get away. Brian also lets me get out of the house for a weekly grocery shopping trip. Totally kidding. Anyway, this past Saturday, I hit the jackpot and I wasn't even in the market for one, and I got it for a steal! Ta-da! Nolan loves his four wheeler from Gramma and Paw Paw, but we didn't realize how well it had taught him to steer. There are three gears on this thing. Slow, fast and reverse. Who would have guessed that Nolan would immediately find the fast gear and take off? Or that he would come as close as possible to any stationary object (tree, swing set, etc) going fast before turning? He keeps scaring my pants off, so I'm glad I told him he had to wear his helmet when he rides it. He is honest to goodness a little dare devil, and both Brian and I are completely floored at how quickly and well he picked up on how to drive this thing. Where's my baby boy??

This clip is his first ride on it, while he's still learning the ropes. Pretty hilarious stuff.

Welcome Olivia Ruth

Olivia Ruth 8.8 lbs, 19.5 inches October 19, 2008 12:54 AM

She's absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Mom & Dad looked great, too, though they were very tired. Congratulations Cheyna, Andrew & Abigail on your newest addition!!!

Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

About a week ago Nolan's school took a "field trip" to the Pumpkin Patch. I had a doctors appointment in the morning so Brian took the morning off, then was able to join us for the Pumpkin Patch before heading into work for the afternoon. We had some time in the beginning to run around, look at pumpkins and snap some pictures, then we did some fun activities with our class. After a bout of unexplained grumpiness when we first arrived, Nolan had a great time. After the pumpkin patch, many of us headed over to the Children's park for a picnic lunch and more playing. It was also a great opportunity to get to know the teachers and other parents a little bit better!

Their first activity was "hugging" a pumpkin and then guessing how long a piece of string would go around it.

Story time was fun, but Nolan (and the rest of the boys) only sat still for a few minutes!The farmer and his beautiful flower!Craft time! These cute pumpkins are toilet paper rolls, covered in fabric and topped with a brown paper bag for a stem. Here's the kids saint of a teacher, Miss Marlo. A family shot:Abby really wanted to get in the picture, too! Peek a boo Nolan!Saying cheese!Some true belly laughing going on!

New Slow Cooker

To make a long story short, our crock pot that was given to us as a wedding present broke. (It as given to us by my co-workers at Rembrandt. The main reason I remember that is because they all kept trying to convince me it was so easy to cook with one. Those poor souls didn't realize how little I knew about cooking. Thankfully for Brian I've learned my way around the kitchen better). So our hunt began for the "perfect" crock pot and now that I actually use the slow cooker on a very regular basis, this was more of a challenge. I wanted it to be perfect! I recently fell in love with a website, "A Year of Crock Potting." Her link is to the right if you want to check it out, but she has some FANTASTIC recipes. Anyway, after much contemplating, we chose a crock pot. Then when I went to buy it, it was on sale. Then I got home that afternoon, opened a magazine and found a $5 rebate for that brand crock pot. I think it was destiny. I'm still adjusting to the high heat (it heats from all sides, not just the bottom) but we'll get there. It's a programmable one, so once the cooking time is finished, it automatically switches to warm. And I would be a big liar if I didn't admit that even though it wasn't a factor, I'm in love with the color!!! Welcome to the family, Crocky!

No Nap just Doesn't Work...

Since Nolan's been at pre-school, most days he takes a nap there. Granted, its shorter than his naps at home, but he does sleep for a bit and that seems to be fine and I don't give him a nap when he gets home. A couple times his teacher has told me he "rested" quietly, but didn't sleep. He seems fine on those days so I don't feel like he HAS to take a nap when he gets home. But, apparently, I'm wrong. If he doesn't sleep at school, he will nap. Perhaps not in his bed, but he'll snooze. I was letting him watch some TV to rest, in fact, and this is what happened.

I was making dinner and realized there was no sound, no talking coming from Nolan. I knew immediately this is what I would find.

I didn't want to move him to his bed, because he's impossible to wake up from late afternoon naps. I figured a light snooze in the living room would actually be the best. But I did bring in the necessities. Haley couldn't resist cuddling up. And before long he covered himself completely:

Beachy Keen, Jelly Bean

So lets please ignore the fact that I'm way behind on blogging. Let's pretend that this post is not really from a whole week ago, because with the weather as cool as it is today, it feels much longer than that. Last Saturday Brian and I went shopping for some fall clothes for Nolan and figured we'd stop by the beach. We were floored at how hot it still was and decided that we better take advantage the following day and squeeze in one more actual beach day. I'm so glad we did! We went to church with the Cheyna & Andrew and then we hit up the beach. The kids had a great time and we all enjoyed soaking up some warm rays and playing in the sand. Nolan is still not so sure about the waves, but in his defense they were really big this time. Near the end, he relaxed a bit and let Brian take him out pretty far into the water on his shoulders. If it was, in fact, the last hot day of "summer" I am glad we sent summer off properly. And though I'll miss days like this, I am welcoming the cooler temperatures!

This is Saturday, when the waters were super calm. Nolan was practically running into the water this day and got soaked. That is how it goes...no swim trunks, no towel, kid wants to swim in the ocean.

As you can see, the waves Sunday...much bigger. Here's some sand castle construction under way: Abby & Nolan playing in the sand. I stole this from Chey's blog!The dads teaching the kids how to "surf"!More sand playing:

I've Been Tagged!

The rules are below…Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog.

10 years ago I was:

1. I was having a blast at SEMO

2.Living with Andi in Towers West with the rest of our sorority while our house was renovated.

3. A server at Ruby Tuesday's in Cape

4. Deciding what the heck my major would be and if I would ever figure it all out. My parents were basically wondering the same thing, but not nearly as relaxed as I appeared to be.

5. I was one month away from meeting the man I would marry.

5 things on today’s to do list:

1. Go to the doctor and be eternally grateful to Chey for taking Nolan!!!

2. Vacuum

3. Finish de-cluttering & organizing Nolan's closets & drawers.

4. Go to Wed night small group at church.

5. Kiss Nolan and Brian as much as I can.

5 snacks I enjoy:

1. Plain almonds

2. granola & yogurt

3. sun chips

4. candy corn lately

5. Popcorn

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Pay off any and all debt.

2. Go on a great vacation

3. Savings for Nolan's college

4. Savings for a great retirement

5. Savings for whatever life throws our way.

5 places I have lived:

1. St. Louis

2. Cape Girardeau, MO

3. Lompoc, California

4. Cheyenne, Wyoming

5.Panhandle of Florida

5 jobs I have had:

1. Day Camp Counselor (with Dawn, lol)

2. Spanky's Frozen Custard

3. Waitress

4. Recruiter & Asst. Program Manager at Laramie County Community College, go Eagles!

5. Stay at Home Momma (so far the most work, but my absolute favorite)!

Okay.... Cheyna, Tammi, Katie, Nadia & Kim H, you're it! GO!

Happy Birthday Tanner!

Happy 6th Birthday Tanner Lee! We miss you so much and we really are trying to find a time when we can come visit you. I suppose we'll visit your mom and dad, too ;) I hope your day is filled with laughter and fun and that you get spoiled with goodies. Love you oodles!

Triple Play

Friday our Mom & Me group ventured to Pensacola to go to an indoor fun play land, called Triple Play. The group went a couple months ago, but Nolan and I weren't able to make it. I was glad it worked out this time, Nolan had a BLAST! There are a bunch of bouncy castles, big slides, a big play house, a couple train tables, among other odds and end things that keep the kids entertained. There were a couple of very sweet workers, probably college aged, that helped the little ones if they got scared or stuck. I was able to actually finish a few sentences with some other moms. I believe that is what people refer to as a adult conversation, but it's been so long, don't quote me on that. We'll definitely be going back! This was the shirt that my parents gave Nolan. You can tell how absolutely loved and adored I am:

(just in case you can't read it, the shirt states: I'm just like my Mom...I NEVER SHUT UP!) Soooo funny.

One of the bouncy castles: Regardless of the fact he has a train table at home, but not all these cool slides, he played with the trains for quite some time:The big slide:Here's a clip of Nolan and Abby coming down the slide. I wish I could zoom in on Nolan's face, it's priceless!