A nine month pay day

I can't imagine a better way to spend 9 months. Bennett bear, there is no where I'd rather be today and every day, than right here with you. Oh my, look at how you've grown!

There is no better way I can imagine spending my time. How adorable are your rosy baby lips and big, curious eyes?

You are a good gift from the Father above and I am daily humbled by this precious calling to be your mommy.

  

Truly, there is no earthly reward more worthwhile than simply being your mama. :-)

Trick or treat

Late October had us up to our ears in spray paint, glitter, and tootsie rolls. This year, Evan adamantly refused any "as seen in Target" type Halloween costumes. I had wanted him to be a dragon or monster so badly to match his little brother, but apparently those types of costumes can be scary for a two year old. Go figure. So, I got over myself and my vision of a perfectly paired duo, and Chris and I set out to make...drumroll please....a police car costume! Not a policeman, but a policecar.

Presenting Officer Evan in his stylish cardboard car.

 

Bennett made the most adorable little monster. Click here to see this costume's first time around the block. :-)

 

Last Friday my mom's group got all the kiddos together at the park for a Halloween playdate, and of course to try to get a group picture of the kids in their costumes. Scary!!! Best picture of the bunch below LOL-and I believe we're missing one or two that wandered off onto to more exciting things like slides and dirt. :-) It goes without saying that capturing a still, smiling 2 and under is difficult-let alone a group. Oh well, this is life!

 

 

Halloween night was filled with fun and candy! We tricked and treated at two local church's "trunk or treats", a friend's fabulous backyard Halloween party, and were even able to stop by some homes in our neighborhood. Wooosh, being on the other side of this trick or treating thing is exhausting! Needless to say, Chris and I scooped our fair share of Evan's candy loot as soon as bedtime struck. ;-)

Fighting camels and date knights

Have you ever seen a camel in person? 

As a proud Campbell University alumni, my boys and I had the pleasure of meeting my former school mascot face to fur. Not only did we get to see a real, live camel, but we also got to see our first Campbell football game during this past homecoming weekend.

A beautiful sunny afternoon spent touring the campus turned into the perfect cool night for a lighted football game. Go camels! With two small boys and bedtime approached, we were happy to make it to halftime before packing up the sit n' stand for our ride back 95. I loved every bit of my time at Campbell, and look forward to many more homecoming visits to share my college memories with my boys. Who ever would have thought back in 2003 that I'd be taking this picture below in front of the famous fountain with these two handsome fellows?

Another exciting headline this week was the annual "mother son date knight" at our local Chic-fil-a. The theme was super cute-ahem-handsome and knightly. My one on one time with Evan is numbered at best these days, so I cherished the opportunity to take him on a special "date." It was precious. I just love his cheesy grin here!

 

I can't say enough good things about our Chic-fil-a here in Wilson, they really out due themselves in Southern hospitality and good chicken. With all you can eat nugget nights and fun events like these, it's no wonder it's Evan's favorite place to eat. 

 

 My knight in shining armor...and vanilla ice cream.

Eight months, pumpkins and deep fried cookies oh my!

Bennett turned 8 months old at the beginning of the week-I can hardly believe it! If you ask me, 8 months is much too close to one and just plain crazy talk. Time has not heeded my requests to slow down, and so we are left in it's dust with an army crawling, wide open mouth giggling, tiny but mighty puller up-er of a baby boy.

Evan is terribly two these days, and I mean that in the best way possible. ;-) At times I wonder if he's accidentally ingested some super hero substance to make his energy level shoot through the roof, and at others I'm sure he's taken a que from Oscar the Grouch or, more fitting to his appetite, the Cookie Monster! Every hour of the day holds different challenges, new discoveries, lessons to learn(and teach), and an explosion of new words.

 

My boys

We've dabbled in potty training with some success, but decided to slow down and put it on hold for a month or so until he's a bit more articulate with his "number 2's." Oh boy! In other Evan news, we've enjoyed an awesome mommy and me gymnastics class at our Y. It's the perfect outlet for his 80 mile an hour energy, and not to mention good for lessons in patience, listening and waiting your turn-sigh. Plus, if you haven't seen a 2 year old donkey kick, it's stinkin adorable. Every week there is a new skill, fun stretching exercises, an obstacle course and some colorful parachute time complete with "popcorn" balls. Oh, and Evan is a pro front roller now-take that 2024 Olympics!

A few weeks ago my sister came back stateside with a new addition to our family-baby Jakey! I am pretty sure I'm his favorite Aunt. :-) Anyways, we are happy to have them back in our neck of the woods for the next 6 months or so, and kicked off their stay with a Fall family get together(in 85 degree weather no less!). We ate, ooed and awed over the babies, and decorated pumpkins-good times!

 Cousin Vive's pumpkin won first place!

This past weekend we hosted Chris' sister and new boyfriend on their Fall break. The highlight for sure was our annual trip to the state fair...hello, it's tradition!

 

Yes, I ate a deep fried girl scout cookie. Let's call in a once in a lifetime experiment LOL.

With the start of MOPS, new babies to shower and little birthdays to celebrate, it's been a busy season. Stay tuned for adventures in Halloween costumes and hopefully some yummy Fall recipes!