Pumpkin Update

We are so upset. Someone stole the pumpkins off our front porch. DURING THE DAY. Who does that? They took all four pumpkins, but left one stem right in front of the door. Emmett carried it around saying "Where's my pumpkin?" and woke up crying the next morning for his pumpkin. I hate that they ruined something we had put so much time into. Emmett enjoyed lighting the pumpkins so much!!

Cam and I debated what to do about it, and finally decided on this:

Pumpkin Carving

We carved 4 pumpkins this year! I really wanted to carve Emmett a Mickey Mouse pumpkin, and I really love how it turned out. It just took forever to do it! I chose a crazy face because that's how I'm feeling lately. Susie's pumpkin has a toothless grin, just like hers. Cam's is a result of indecisiveness. Emmett loved lighting them and looking at the faces.

Emmett

Camron

Megan

Susie

Trunk or Treat!

We had our church trunk or treat. I'm so proud of Emmett and Camron's costumes. They're perfect as Wreck-it Ralph and Fix-it Felix. They had lots of compliments! Emmett had a great time going around to the different cars, playing the games inside, and running around outside with lots of bigger kids!

NC Transportation Museum

We went with our friends to the Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. It was freezing in the morning, but we had a blast. Emmett had a major meltdown in the middle, but he pulled through and enjoyed seeing all the trains and things.

They had a special deal for Halloween where they had a pumpkin patch, games, trick-or-treating, and hot chocolate for the adults! But what did the boys want to do? Play with the Thomas the Train tables. Seriously? Overall, a great experience, especially considering the fact that we had 2 two-year-olds and 3 babies!

Mommy's Day Off

Last Friday I had the day off. It was WONDERFUL. Emmett was an angel (and Susie is always an angel) and we had SO much fun. We baked cookies, we crafted, we played. He listened so well all day. I so needed this day to just be Mommy for a while. One of my favorite moments was when we were making cookies, and all of the sudden Emmett asked "Where the eggs go?" He was very concerned that he couldn't see the eggs once they were mixed in.

Four Months Old

At Susannah's four month check-up, the doctor said she was doing great and ahead of schedule on everything, and that we could try baby food. So this weekend, she got her first taste of sweet potatoes. She liked them, but needs some practice still! I can't believe how fast time is going by. She's getting really good at rolling over and I'll often find her in her crib the opposite of how I put her down. Her sweet smile always brings a smile to anyone she's around.

October Fun

October is one of my favorite months. It cools off outside and there are so many fun fall things to do! Here's the highlights from our busy weekend:

On Friday, I had the Fall Festival at my school. Cam brought the kids up. Emmett is Fix-It Felix, and Susie was a Ghost (one of her many Halloween outfits. I guess being a girl = more outfit choices).  Emmett had a blast playing games, and he even won the cake walk on his first try! He was so proud of his cookies. He loved getting the candy and putting it in his "nail pouch." Susie got passed around like a hot potato!

Saturday morning, we stopped by the Walkertown Fall Festival. It's still not very big, but Emmett loved the bounce house and Susie always loves being outside!

After the festival, we went to the Pumpkin Patch. Maw Maw met us there to join in the fun. This was our first attempt at pictures of both kids where Emmett is holding Susie up. When Emmett got tired of pictures, he let go of Susie and she just slowly tipped over and face-planted. Good thing she's a tough girl! Can't wait to carve these pumpkins later!

Saturday night was Gigi's annual Chicken Stew with family and friends. It's always a great time (and great food!). Chicken Stew and Corn Hole are NC traditions that we never knew about, but we sure enjoy them! Emmett had fun playing corn hole (but by his rules - which apparently include sticking your head in the hole to find the bean bags!) I also included the picture of Emmett and Gigi because it shows off his new scowl that he uses when I pull out the camera!

Happy Birthday Camron!

For Camron's birthday, he wanted to do an impromptu dinner with friends at our house. This evolved into a dinner with tri-tip, a shrimp boil, and dutch oven peach cobbler. Only Camron would choose those things! It was a delicious meal all around (I ate the shrimp boil, minus the shrimp) and we had a great time with friends. I think our tongues have finally recovered from the spicy seasonings (we bought the pack in Louisiana when we drove to Houston last fall).

Other Weekend Fun

Emmett got to help Daddy wash the truck. He was having SO much fun, and I went out to take a picture and he sent me back inside... "Go inside Mommy, I washing the truck!" My little boy loves to get muddy!

Susie thinks she's a big girl. She rolled over for the first time this week, and I waited for her to do it all weekend so I could see it. She didn't do it, but she sure is scooting around and always trying to sit up. She's strong, and I have a feeling she'll be running after Emmett before we blink.

Bike Ride

Poor Cam loves to ride bikes. I however, do not. It has been probably 10 years at LEAST since I rode on a bike, and I did not have a pleasant experience then. But, we came home with a free bike from Utah, and Cam immediately got in Craigslist and found a kid trailer for his bike. He argued with all my excuses, and we got a friend to watch Susie. 

When we got there, Emmett wouldn't get in the trailer. He screamed bloody murder for 15 minutes. I'm shocked someone didn't call the cops. This was one of his worst tantrums ever. So being the understanding mom that I am, I finally forced him in and strapped him down. Ten seconds into the ride, he was fine and smiling. It was a beautiful day and it's a beautiful trail. Once again I'm so grateful for the parks and trails that are nearby! Oh, and one time Emmett got out for a second, and he hopped right back in by himself. Lovely.

 

Dinner and a Show

Emmett found a new way to get out of eating dinner - he loves to entertain Susie. I love this video because it captures how he says Hey Susie (Hey Z-Z) over and over. He does this ALL the time. It also captures how he says "sliming" instead of "smiling."

I lied - The LONGEST Road Trip Ever (Going Home)

The trip back home seemed like it would never end. We hit bad traffic, the time changes were against us, Emmett was done with the car, and it felt like we weren't making progress.

One last Cafe Rio stop in Grand Junction, CO

At a beautiful rest area in Colorado.

Where else would a Hays stop, but Hays, KS? 

Kansas is REALLY boring. 

It's really, really long.

 We stopped at the Bass Pro Shop in Kansas City, MO - our ideal stops because the dogs can go in and Emmett loves looking at everything. They happened to be having a fishing day for kids.

Sunrise in Illinois

Construction the whole time in Kentucky

In Tennessee, it finally started to look more like home

At the Tennessee Welcome Center

We finally got home at 8:30 that Sunday night. And we went to work the next day. It was definitely a memorable adventure!