Halloween 2011

10/30/11 - Sunday was the costume contest at the Turner Hall and trick-or-treating in Van Horne and Keystone.

Here's Noah the Cowboy with his friend Bristol the Flower.

I took video of the first house Noah went to for his first time trick-or-treating, but I didn't get any pictures.  Here's his second house: Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Jimmy's.

Great Grandpa Bud and Great Grandma Bernie's was our last house.  We only made it to 4 places total since somebody missed his nap.

10/31/11 - Noah's first pumpkin-carving experience.  He really did not want to stick his hand inside that pumpkin.  (I'm afraid he gets that from me.)

What a good little scooper!

Watchin' Daddy carve the pumpkin.

Ta-da!

10/27/11 - Pre-Halloween Fun

I had to make sure Noah had a chance to wear his new Halloween shirt that Grandma Kathy got him.  Tomorrow they are having a Halloween party - costumes welcome - at daycare.  So today was the day to sport the shirt...

"My Mommy is BOOtiful".  What can I say?!  I love it!

We had to try out the cowboy costume tonight, complete with a horse we borrowed from a friend.



And then Mommy had to try on the cowboy hat.

I am so proud of myself.  Tonight I was the mom I've always wanted to be.  I made cupcakes for Noah's Halloween party at daycare tomorrow.  But not before making supper, playing Legos, giving a bath, and tucking a little boy into bed.  Ahhh....I love these days when I feel so fulfilled by my life.

10/22/11-10/23/11 -- Last Camping Weekend

This past weekend was our last weekend camping at Shady Acres.  (We just brought our camper home tonight - Monday - actually.)  It was a beautiful, sunny weekend full of golf cart and gator rides, as well as yummy food, warm fires, and good conversations with friends and family.

I couldn't resist snapping this one.  So cute with all the Hawkeye gear.

Look at those sparkly brown eyes.



Grandma Barbara, Uncle Brent, Aunt Birdie, Noah, and Sara Lee

Daddy and Noah

Sunday was our friend Devin's birthday, and we enjoyed an amazing potluck dinner complete with a fried turkey.  Mmmm....Here's a cute shot of Beaner, the Birthday Boy, Noah, and Colter (Devin's son).

Sunday night we opened the Legos Noah received for his birthday.  All 3 of us had a great time putting these together.  Here's Noah before and after he built his creation.  (He really did have fun building this tower. I just couldn't get him to smile for the camera.)

10/18/11 - A Fun Tuesday Night

Tonight we went out to eat with The Barrs to celebrate Grandpa Bud's birthday.  I only took one quick photo before we headed out the door.  The birthday boy with his great grandson.

Later, Noah and I decided to test out a possible Halloween costume before changing into our pj's and enjoying a turtle brownie with some ice cream.  Mmmmm....

10/11/11 - Another Evening with Caleb John

Caleb came to play with us on Tuesday night.  It was fun to have the 2 boys by myself.  Sure do have a newfound respect for mothers with multiple kiddos.

Uncle Beaner and Caleb



10/8/11-10/9/11 - Visit to Aunt Beth & Uncle Bill's in MN

Last Friday night, Noah and I packed up and headed to Elko New Market, MN to spend the weekend with Aunt Beth, Uncle Bill, Gaby, and Brookelyn.  (Aunt Linz also joined us on Saturday evening.)

On Saturday, Beth and I took the 3 kids to the Minnesota Zoo.  Besides watching the 3 kiddos run around, the highlight of the zoo was hearing the incredible roar of the tiger - it was a bone-chilling sound and one I had never heard before.

Gaby, Brookelyn, and Noah

Sisters...

While we were waiting to see the shark feeding, we took advantage of a quick photo op.  Beth had her hands full!

Playing at the zoo is exhausting.

After the zoo and a nap, Gaby played dress up.

...and sang karaoke...

Noah had a blast pushing the pink stroller around and eventually, sitting in it himself.  Silly boy.

On Sunday, we played in the yard and even found some leaves to lay in.

Quick "sister shot" before we all took off.  What a fun weekend!

Lake of the Ozarks 9/23/11-9/25/11

We spent the weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks with my dad and family at a lakehouse.  It was so relaxing and beautiful, and it was great getting to spend some time with family.

View of the back of the lakehouse from the dock.  Our bedroom was the top left sliding glass door.

Woody doll and chocolate milk.  What more could a kid want?!

Relaxing on the screened in porch.  Ahhh....

Beaner built us a nice fire right next to the lake.  Perfect.

On Saturday, we went boating.  Noah wanted to sit with Jordan to see what it was like to drive the boat.

My photojournalistic shot. 

This was taken about 2 minutes before Noah fell asleep on the boat.

And there ya have it.  Hauling around that heavy life jacket just takes it out of a person.

Waiting patiently for our food to arrive at Plain Jane's restaurant.

Grandpa Doug and Grandma Sherrill with Noah.

The crew playing Monopoly after dinner.  Noah even got to help Daddy roll the dice.

Quick family shot on Sunday before we all headed home.



It really was a wonderful weekend.  But we all agreed next year we need to stay longer!