Long time no see...sorry, no excuses, other than life happens. The fall night is crisp here, Gabriel sits watching It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, pumpkin seeds are roasting in the oven, and our awesome pumpkins (courtesy of Daddy) are glowing outside to the likes of Phineas of Phineas and Ferb (Gabe's 1st choice), Batman (again Gabe's choice), and Lightening McQueen (ok, really no one really chose except Gabe), and Noah has gone to bed early.
I am ready for the holiday season to begin. Let's start out with Halloween! What a fun time. I have repeatedly tried to convince Gabriel that it is REALLY cool to be a firefighter (as we have that costume from last year and it still fits), he has chosen his own idea this year, Batman. So we obliged and he is ecstatic. He loves wearing the cape often, and Noah loves to copy him, too bad for Noah that there is only one cape and so he instead gets to wear a woman's scarf tied to act just like a cape, but he doesn't know any better, yet.
We have enjoyed a few fall traditions so far. We went to Howell's pumpkin patch last Friday with the Mom's group from church. We were able to ride out to the patch being pulled by a tractor, chose a pumpkin for each boy, rode back, fed the goats, played in the corn pool, rode little cars, and shared some popcorn. Whew! it was a busy morning!
Last Sunday, we repeated the tradition of the Family Halloween at Living History Farms. This is has trick or treating, popcorn, horse drawn wagon rides, marshmellow roasting, and story telling. We were fortunate to enjoy the time with the Bjork family too. It was a great time had by everyone.
This photography captures Noah's monster shadow, and no, it is not like that all the time.
Gabriel and his cousins, he says they are his best friends.
The best attempt at a group shot of all the kids.
Listening to the story teller.
Bart had today off from school as a comp day for conferences this week, so we planned a fun afternoon. We carved pumpkins, roasted pumpkin seeds, watched Charlie Brown's Halloween, and shared some popcorn. Noah didn't make it through the movie but fun was had by all. Gabe helped with all the carving and seed sorting, Noah discovered the "guts" of the pumpkin and really had fun with the slimy insides. Pumpkin carving is Daddy's forte, and he delivered.
Phineas (ala Phineas and Ferb - one of Gabe's shows he likes), Batman, Lightening McQueen (Cars). Trick or treating is on Monday night here, and starts out with hot dogs in the park, should be fun.
A side note, I am excited for the upcoming holiday season, but I am really missing my Dad, and dreading that part of this. I guess when I say I am excited, I am excited to decorate, see the joy on my son's faces when they experience the pure delight in the magic of the holidays, but the holidays without my Dad seems so overwhelming. Just one year ago this weekend, we hosted our family for Halloween up at the park by our house, Dad went trick-or-treating with the boys, handed out candy at our house, and then Noah was baptized the next day. That was the last time he was at our house.
How does time go so quickly? I want my Dad.
