Halloween

You'll have to excuse the lack/quality of photos because I did well to even take those. The whole holiday didn't turn out just exactly as I had planned. I did well just to get out of bed. I had been planning so many fun Halloween activities and goodies but I couldn't pull it off. I did manage to help the kids make some cupcakes and they decorated them nicely. Maybe next year I won't be taken over by nasty little virus bugs. Dede and Ken were here to help celebrate and thank goodness for that. We went trick or treating and the boys filled up their buckets and a brief case for Austin. Brayden was Buzz, Keaton was an LGM (little green man) and Austin refused to go as Zurg. A last minute costume change, and he was in instant business man ready to make some deals. For candy anyway. So, that was it. The weather was nice and the candy was plentiful. Decent Halloween.

Can someone please lysol the Magic Kingdom? Please??!!!

That's the request I think I'll be sending in before we make our next trip to see the mouse. We've been sick. Antibiotics, Motrin, cough suppresent, Aleve. Just about every cold/virus symptom out there, one of us has had it. Those lead to eye/ear infections and bronchitis. It all started when we got home from our vacation and has spread throughout the house. We love our Disney trips, but we can't seem to make it home healthy. Maybe we should hang out in the ER a month before we head out next time to build up some immunties. Sounds fun....but it would beat 3 weeks of sickness after getting home. So, I've been running behind on blogging, but I'll catch up. Promise.

Welcome Baby Luke!!

I was so excited to do this announcement because after patiently waiting for their blessing, my friend Jenny and her husband Brad welcomed baby Luke on August 25!!! I'm so happy for them and he is absolutely beautiful. Hoping to meet him in person sometime.....hopefully sooner than later! Congratulations!

More of the mouse to come!

Sorting through the vacation pics (yes, we went to Disney, again) and hoping to be through them all by next week.

first day of preschool

It's hard to believe that my little guy is four. To make it seem even more real, today he headed on his merry way to preschool. He did great! We packed his backpack last night and picked out his favorite photograph of himself to take to class like his teacher asked. Just as soon as I signed him in, he was headed off to pick out his name and then gluing the letter G onto a piece of paper. His first preschool project! :-)

Our little Superstar

Since I have only remembered to take the camera to a couple of games, here are the key plays in photos for the season closer...or the game as my lens saw it.....concentrated on that little guy right there.

Checking out the other team

Getting psyched for a win

Now he's off! Using the putting my arm out so you won't take my ball trick .

I should go take the ball away...

And now it's MINE again!

Waiting......

Taking a little breather

One last battle for the win

Time to be rewarded

for having an awesome first season!

Brayden's Party

Brayden had a fun party.....(way back on Oct. 7th). He wanted chocolate cake and Zaxby's so that's what he got. Austin treated him to the Happy Birthday song on the keyboard and Keaton helped open presents. He was more than happy to get more toys and he likes getting $$ now that he knows what it can be used for. Yes, more toys. He HAD to have the Diego EXTREME rescue pack that he saw on tv. So, if you sent him a monetary birthday gift, that is where it went. Thanks to everyone for the gifts!

Happy "B" Day

I can't believe it's been 4 years already. His birth brought lots of joy and plenty of heartache. He lives life to the fullest and I can't imagine him any other way. I am thankful for his health every day and love watching him grow in every way. Happy Birthday!

Birthday Party!

Here's some pics from Keaton's Birthday bash. After I finally got the kitchen cleaned up from red buttercream icing, I didn't feel like cooking and cleaning up some more. So, we headed out to our local pizza place. When we got home it was time for presents and cake! Keaton enjoyed opening his gifts but Brayden thought he had to have his help. We then sliced the cake and that was it! A low key birthday but Keaton was super impressed with all of his Mickey decor. He loved all of his presents and cards....he really likes the ones that play music! So thank you to everyone!

The baby turned two today

Happy Birthday sweet Keaton! He really has changed so much over the last year. Although he's still a sweetheart, he's picked up a few things from his older brother and he can cause trouble all on his own. It's hard to believe the time has passed so quickly, but it has. Take time to look back.....

Fun in the sun!

Now that the summer travelers have gone for the most part, there's more beach for us. I took the little boys for a little while yesterday and we had a nice time.

The sky was really pretty yesterday. Wish I could have taken some more pics but I had to keep my eyes on the other two.

Keaton checking out one of the shells he found.

Sand surfing

soccer!

Brayden is starting outdoor soccer this fall in a league. He's been attending an indoor soccer/play group since early Feb. but now he's ready for the big time. Games start next weekend and I can't wait to see how he does. I think I'm going to be pretty busy with most sports from now until....well, whenever he decides to quit. I'm pretty sure he'll want to try everything at least once, because he loves just about anything involving a ball, so I will have to learn to scoot around from practice to practice and game to game. It will be interesting to see what Keaton picks up from his Big Brother. Games are Saturdays until mid-Oct. if you want to catch a game ;)

Austin has gone back

Back to school. He started last Tues. And yes, I am aware that was over a week ago and I am waaaay behind. It has taken us this long to get used to this new schedule. This year he has to be ready for the bus at 6 a.m. because they moved the start time up 45 min. and it really has been an adjustment. I really don't sleep that late, but in general, I prefer not to have to wake before 6 a.m. I know Austin does too. So this is about the only back to school picture we have because if you can see, it's pitch black outside and he was doing good to half way smile. Anyway, I hope 7th grade is a blast even though you have to get up so early dude. If you'd like to compare with last year, here's your chance to see how much he's growin' up!

sweet dreams

This is my sweet baby boy sleeping in his big boy bed. The crib has been taken down and he transitioned right into a super adorable twin size bed. He is almost two and the time has passed too quickly! You may remember Brayden's transition wasn't as easy. He was up and down 50 times at least the first night when we took down his crib. I'm just thankful Keaton is much more into his sleep than Brayden and doesn't mind to take a nap either. Finished room photos to come.....I'm still working on it.

Jeff's Big Day!

Jeff opened his brand new Walmart yesterday with great success! We had to get up super early to get there because we live almost an hour away, but it was worth the trip. The community was excited with over 100 new jobs added and $20,000 handed out to community organizations.

"Duplin County has been hit with several layoffs over the past year," said store manager Jeff Neal. "The news of adding 100 more jobs is well received in our community. [It's] something well needed to stimulate some econ activity in this area."

Jeff welcoming everyone

Cake at 8 a.m.

Family photo in front of the women's department with man posing in the background. Ha! He was actually the guy that built the place. Guess he was waiting for us to finish up the photo op. Great Danskin Now products in the background. Love their workout stuff!

My first daisy bouquet

I have always loved gerbera daisies. I've had my ups and downs with them but have found over the years that they seem to grow best in the ground instead of in pots. This year I decided to plant a diasy garden in hopes of bringing freshly cut daisies inside to brighten the day. Today was the first time all summer that I have had enough in bloom at the same time to do so. I have two prize lollipop gerbers this year and they are perfect for cut flowers. Anyway, just wanted to share my pretties in bloom.

"No Mama. I'm busy"

That's what this little guy told me the other day when I told him he was going to have to take a nap. It's so funny when the words out of his mouth start making sense. Even if he was telling me off.