Halloween

We had a bunch of different of Halloween celebrations and fun this year.  We joined our 30s-40s group for a corn maze race to see who could find all the numbered punchers before the rest of the group--needless to say our competitive nature spurred us on to victory.  We went to a local church on the evening of Halloween and played lots of games, including a cake walk that netted Garrett 4 cupcakes.

 

Quick hide behind the corn stalks, nobody will find us.

Uncle Sam paid us a visit to be sure we remembered to be patriotic...

I am Robin, where is Batman?

The pumpkin whose design I inspired.

Uncle Matt did the eyes and nose;  Daddy did the mouth, all per my requests.

I asked Dad to carve this one just like he did.

Robin Hood, a Knight, and Bumblebee carrying a Yoda, baseball, and Lightening McQueen basket...we're just covering all our bases.

Wait til you see what I transform into.

Is there a maiden in distress?  I, sir knight, will go hither.

Meeting Matt

Alecia was in our state for a conference and Matt, her fiance, came along so that they could come up to our neck of the state and visit with us before heading on to where Matt's brother lives.  We loved getting to meet him for the first time before their wedding next month.  We had a whirlwind of events which helped him get to know us and us him.  We ate dinner at the boys' favorite Red Robin, played the game Headbands, slept in and shared a homemade breakfast feast together, skyped with Joy's brother in Africa, and then took them to Funworks where we raced go-carts, climbed on the rock wall, rode the spinning bumper cards, and played mini golf.  There were lots of smiles and laughs had.  It is going to be quite a celebration in December.

 

We had fun making a welcome sign for the happy, engaged couple.

Aunt Alecia and Dad stayed on the climbing wall for the whole time that it was rotating and getting steeper.  Good job.

Bryce quickly selected Uncle Matt as his driver for the go-cart races.

I am not ready to be the driver yet...but I will be ready when it is my time.

Oops, my ball when in the flowing river...should I go in and get it?  YES, I will.

The crazy bumper spin cars that four of us did.

Thank you for helping me get the goooo out of my pumpkin, Aunt Alecia.

In case it wasn't obvious, we all liked our new Uncle Matt.

Dad helped direct the pumpkin carving operation.

We were all happy with our pumpkins.

Thank you for visiting us Aunt Alecia.

Griffin 4y 6mo

Griffin is now 4 1/2 years old.  He continues to show that even though he is a little guy he has big aspirations.  He loves to practice whatever it is that you give him to do.  Lately his favorite is to practice his gymnastics, because he is finally enrolled in a class and learning his cartwheels which have gotten better quickly.  His goal it seems is to push his brother Bryce in all aspects of things.  If you are sitting down seemingly doing nothing, he will ask if you want to play catch.  He will also engage you in a game of tackle. 

 

My first school picture, as a pre-K.

This is my goal scoring dance.

Getting instruction from Coach Dave along with Dallas, Caleb, Rylan, and Mateo.

I  (#9) don't mind mixing it up with the boys who are even a head taller than me.

I loved my two prizes for my soccer team this year.

That is the goal I am shooting for.

I am ready to take the kickoff.

Bryce 6y 3mo

Bryce finally lost a tooth that he was able to keep.  He had only lost one previously, last month, and that one had gone missing from the onset.  This month, he had a dangler that he eventually reluctantly allowed Mom to pull out.  The good news was there was no pain for him in the process, which may mean it could happen again this way with less fear.  He also found a new job:  separating out pomegranate arils from the rest of the fruit.  Hopefully he continues to like that job, because that sure is a time saver around this time of year.

 

My new job:  pomegranate processor.

Ok, Mom, you can pull this one out.

Eric and I can take these blue guys.

Coach Chris, where do you want me to play?  Ok, I will play offense.

Chasing the ball down.

Green Gators

 

Garrett 8y 5mo

Garrett has been on his most competitive soccer team of his young career.  The team has learned a lot and continued to improve, which has resulted in more close games, and more ties and wins than any other year.  His coach Josh, has been encouraging and a good teacher.  One thing that has been noticeable lately has been his good attitude toward schoolwork.

 

Flanked by his friends, Dillon and Jake, on the soccer field.

Taking a selfie.