A Cowboy And His Owl

Technically Holden should have been a horse... but we decided that our cowboy would have a pet owl instead. And let's be honest, the major bonus to having boys almost exactly 2 years apart is reusing EVERYTHING... even the costumes. {Weston's owl debut here}.Weston refused to try on his costume all month till he saw a Mickey Mouse where Donald dressed up like a cowboy for Pete's Halloween party. He asked to try it on as he was watching the show and was all excited to wear it. Bless Mickey Mouse. They were the cutest little cowboy and owl I've ever seen. I LOVE Halloween and I'm already scheming next year's costumes.... 

Please assess the drool situation that breaks his chin out in a rash every night. PLEASE start teething!!!

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

A couple of weekends ago we packed a lunch and headed to Stow Lake. The plan was to rent an electric boat since we thought that would be the easiest with the kids. Well.... they didn't have them ready so we went to plan B and ended up in a row boat. It seriously could have been disastrous but we ended up having the best time. I was just seriously happy we didn't capsize the boat and that we made it around the entire lake with both kids still in the boat. Miracle. 

Weston was in heaven looking all around and he loved walking from one side of the boat to the other.

The lake was full of turtles and ducks and you could row up really close to them. There were so many turtle babies swimming; I loved it!

Weston mostly loved throwing our sandwiches in the water for the ducks and seagulls to eat.

Seriously, look at Weston's face.

Little Holden was a champ and only broke down in tears the last 5 minutes. I think it got a little too hot for him.

Cameron was the rowing champ while I manned the kids. Not sure which was harder...

until I tried to row. In a circle. While Cameron laughed. Lesson learned: rowing is harder! We had a blast... we'll be back again!

Mummies

Weston helped me make these cute little mummies to give to his friends for Halloween {found via pinterest} I'm seriously indebted to pinterest because I now find every idea and recipe there. Could anything be greater? Anyhow, these mummy's were a cinch to make and I cut out a few steps by buying the play-doh in the mini jars. Happy Halloween! 

Weston's Preschool Halloween Carnival

Weston's preschool had the funnest little Halloween carnival planned for the kids. It was so fun to see him in action and interact with all his little friends. It kind of breaks my heart he is growing up so fast. 

First up was the parade. I'm pretty sure Weston had no clue what was going on but he followed his teacher and walked around the campus.

Then they got to trick or treat to a bunch of different stations. He was so excited to choose his prizes or treats and he loved carrying around his little bag.

Weston and his friend Cole {who also lives in our neighborhood}.

There was a pizza lunch for everyone and then a carnival with a bunch of different activities and games. His favorites were the bean bag toss and the plinko game. Weston had such a fun time with his friends and I loved seeing him be so independent and happy {all while wiping a tear from my eye}.

EJ's Pumpkin Patch {2011}

Suzanne and I thought it would be fun to take our boys to a new pumpkin patch that had opened up in town. Literally, it was in the middle of no where, a bit on the ghetto side, and invested with flies. Not to mention that we might have been 2 out of the 8 families there. But hey, Suzanne and I don't turn down a pumpkin patch and we're always up for a good time. Turns out.... it was seriously awesome. We stayed 3 hours and knew all the workers by the time we left the place. I guess that's what happens when your kids are basically the only ones there. {BTW, I had some serious camera struggle today in the full sun and blaring heat... grainy, blurry, and improperly exposed shots were my specialty today}. 

 

They had this most run down, makeshift, scary looking swing ride that our boys LOVED. James, the worker, was so dang nice, chatted our ears off, and swung the boys for a good 15 minutes. 

It's a working farm so there were all sorts of animals to feed, pet,

and ride.

Firetrucks, hay rides, corn pits, ride on's through hay tunnels... this place had it all.

Especially when there's no one else there. James suddenly gave our boys the royal treatment and tour of the place.

Let's not forget the tractor rides {that somehow we got talked in to with the babies}. You would have thought we were at Disneyland... the boys had so much fun. EJ's.... you rocked our pumpkin patch world!  

A Handful of Pumpkin Patch Pics {2011}

I'll secretly admit that I'm pumpkin patched out. Did I really just say that? Weston had his school field trip to the pumpkin patch this last week and I was feeling so happy that it was my last trip to the patch for the season. Don't worry, I'll be all geared up to go again in 12 months. 

 

I wanted to die watching Weston pick out all the kernals stuck in between in toes. He was so focused on the task. 

Our favorite new addition to G&M's this year was the petting zoo for $1. I don't think I've ever been in such a small fenced in space with a pony, donkey, pig, 2 turkeys, 2 chickens, a cat, a sheep, about 5 kids, and their parents. Nothing like getting sniffed, snorted at, and licked all at the same time. Ewww. That being said... I thought it was cool to pet my first pig and Weston LOVED it. I had to drag him away from the pig and he loved holding the turkey.

Weston was a little possessive of the barn door at Joan's Pumpkin Patch this year. He would tell all the little kids that entered and exit, "No, mine." Then I would remind him that it was Joan's and it was for everyone. It was slightly like Groundhog Day. 

I got one picture of Holden before he decided to suction himself to the pumpkin.  I'd reposition him and then .01 seconds later he'd be eating the pumpkin. Grody and funny all at the same time.