Lately..

Serious Play-Dough Construction Zone going on. 

This looks like a good place to take a break with the Etch-A-Sketch.

My Fur Baby

Fall Harvest Party

Last Friday I went to Will's school to help with their Fall Harvest Party.   t's always such a treat to go and be with Will at his school and see him interact in that setting.  Dane went along and had so much fun hanging out with the big kids. 

Happy Halloween!

Our pumpkins this year..  Left is Mommy and Dane; right is Daddy and Will.  :)

'

 Happy Halloween!  

Love,  Spiderman and Luke Skywalker

For any moms, please read this article....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-tate/mom-pictures-with-kids_b_1926073.html

It's so true, and just reading it brought tears to my eyes because it's the same things I do for my boys. Breathing in their smell, wanting to hold them just a bit longer, I would do anything for my boys.  Anything.  They are my world.  And I love it when I have a picture of myself with them.  I don't always love how I look in it, but remembering the joy in that moment or in doing those things with them....is priceless.

Dane

My sweet, precious Dane. I wish I could bottle him up.
Tonight he came to me, so excited.  He said "I pound it on the poor. I put it in my mouf and I EEEAT IT!!"
Still not sure WHAT exactly he found on the floor and ate...

Dane's Big Boy Room

Dane' room.  I took the plunge.  We donated the boys' crib to Desert Rose, a women's shelter.  Dane has been sleeping in his big boy bed for months now.  Maybe a year.  And still the crib was set up.  I was clearly at a crossroads, not sure what to do with it.  Save it, get rid of it.  Which translates to another baby or no more baby?  Ahhh, so hard.   Obviously if another baby is in our future....we'll just get another crib!   :)  And it felt good to give the crib to Desert Rose - who said they have a few women about to "transition" which I'm only guessing means that she will be starting a life that is safer for herself and her children.

Our Tree

A gorgeous sunrise behind our tree.  We are so fortunate to get to see the place where we were married every day.  It's amazing how special this tree is to us. 

Brinkley Bite Me

Still haven't figured out how to rotate videos, but at least it's here!

Will looks at me this morning and says "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"  I laughed and said probably not, love. 

Autumn

Gorgeous leaves on the way to my mom and Chuck's.  Love fall!!!!

Will

My big boy. 

BFFs

How cute are they!!?
(this is Fisher's current picture pose.  I think it's his "ready to fight."  He's currently in Karate so it's probably something to do with that.)

My Little Chucky

Dane does this face that I refer to as his "Chucky face."  We've all seen Chucky, right? (click on link for a non-horrifying image)  He will not do it on command and usually makes it when he's exerting physical strength, confused about something, or very unhappy and arguing his point.  I finally captured it on my phone, by accident!

Rec X

Our good friends the Dunscombes have started a side business (that will hopefully one day grow into their full time jobs) called The Recreation Experience.  They hope to offer programs similar to what a Parks & Rec Dept would, since Martinsville doesn't have one.  They will offer programs including summer camps, workshops, fitness programs, outdoor events and kids activities.  Basically encouraging people to get off their hinies, get outside and live a healthy lifestyle, especially kids.  They had a float in the Fall Foliage Parade this past weekend so we went along to help and Luke drove the Ranger, Chad drove their 4-wheeler and had their trailer decorated with fall things.  The kids had a blast throwing out candy and Pamala and I walked along handing out bubbles, crayons, candy and fliers.   

Lego Tower

Will said he was going to build a Lego tower as tall as his fort.  He, along with some "help" from Dane, did just that! 

So at dinner tonight the boys and I ate at the bar. During the meal Dane climbed off the back and was hanging on the barstool.  I said "Dane, climb up on your seat and sit down the right way. You're not allowed to hang on your chair like a monkey during mealtime.".  Dane replied: "oo oo aah aah"

Missy

Will and his kitty Missy.  She's been a fun addition to our family.  She seems like she's going to be smaller than Kramer, her eyes are more brown, his more yellow.  But we have been putting a collar on her so we can easily tell the difference between them.  She's always starving - begging for food and then scarfing it up.  And she continues to have snake-like behavior.  She will be so sweet one minute and turn on you the next, striking out.  She'll strike me and bite and then retreat back, just like a snake.  It's quite entertaining, and fortunately doesn't hurt - usually.  Although I had major doubts when we first had her de-clawed, it was definitely the right decision.  Oh, and Will has changed her name.  She now goes by "Pretty Soft Paws".  

Hair Business

The boys and their new favorite - their Mohawks.  For the hog roast this year they went with green and red. 

Benza Booz

Benny has it made.  He has free roam of the back deck and can often be found lying near the edge, relaxing and enjoying the view.  And the reason he has free roam of the back deck is that he does his business in his cage.  What a good bunny.   :)

An early Halloween celebration at Grandma Becca's with Aunt Terri and Uncle Mike (the photographer).  Dane refused to wear his hat and I got him to stop trying to knock off mine too for about 10 seconds while we snapped this pic.  The boys had a blast - making peppermint ice cream, baking brownies, drinking Goblin Juice and enjoying an enchanting meal. 

Big Dog

Ok, one more.  Tonight I was putting away the boys' clothes.  Rosco, as he often does sat down against me, facing away, and guarded me while I was sorting.  Love him so much.  Then, later on tonight I slipped in a quick bath.  I heard a weird noise and then realized it was Rosco walking toward the bedroom.  He was having another seizure. He started to lay down in the bedroom but I called him into the bathroom.  I hopped out of the tub and got him to lay down and then comforted him until it was over.  It probably lasted a minute while I was with him - and some time before that while he was getting to me.  He's had a number of these over the years.  I can't seem to figure out what brings them on.  They sure are upsetting though.   

My goodness my (kind of) new phone takes some getting used to.  I'll spare you the details but it seems like every time I sit down and try to upload something on here I have to jump through 10 hoops and figure out a different way to get it done.  Usually it's our internet connection which we've been having trouble with.  But now I think I've figured out the best way.  So I shouldn't have any more excuses.

...so tonight this picture of my sweet baby will probably have to be sufficient.  He was actually not feeling well here.  :(