Happy Halloween

It is hard to believe it is already Halloween! We've been very busy with baking and decorating our "special" cupcakes (Steve and the kids made these together) and cookies, painting pumpkins (since poor Jake is allergic to pumpkins carving was out) and of course Trick or Treating. The kids had parties at school today, so I made some spider cupcakes and Abby was very excited because her teacher made the same kind (except with eggs) so that was neat. It was pretty cold tonight, but we had a great time trick or treating. Abby and Jacob had a blast running from house to house and ringing the doorbells. They had it down to a science that if the light was out we would skip that house. They made out pretty well and our neighbor made them great goody bags full of fun stuff. I also bought them some "safe" candy from Vermont Nut Free chocolates and some other non-candy stuff. So, they had a great evening as the Princess and the Knight. Blake went to a football game with some friends and Steve stayed home to give out the candy.

Our egg-free spider cupcake!


Abby contemplating how she is going to paint her pumpkin!

Jacob used all the colors on his!

Our beautiful princess!

The Knight, Sir Jacob!

So sweet!
After the goody collecting (Steve found these really cool bags that light up).

Abby all bundled up with her goodies (notice the nice bag from our neighbor).

Blake and Kristine

As promised... pics of Blake and Kristine. Don't they look nice?

Blake's Homecoming Dance

Blake went to the Homecoming Dance last night with Kristine. He had a wonderful time and has been resting all day. Here are a few pictures of him. I will post more of him and Kristine soon.

Princess Abby is Six

One of Abby's favorite expressions is "Oh my" and that is what I think when I think that she is now six years old. It really is amazing how quickly time has gone by. Abby has had some behavioral issues lately and she did not get a big party like she was hoping for. We started the day with breakfast in bed and a few gifts (new clothes for her big day). They don't allow parties at school but the teachers made Abby a birthday crown and sent her home with some little birthday goodies. They even remembered to send home "safe" treats. We had a small party with the five of us here at the house. Jacob had been home sick all day (Abby had been sick the week before and then I caught it after Jacob) so Steve, Blake and Abby went out to eat at Abby's favorite place Ruby Tuesday's. I made an egg-free cake that turned out great and Abby opened her presents. Overall, it was a very special day for all of us to celebrate the Princess!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

I went with Jacob and his class to the "Pumpkin Patch" which is run by a local church. They had volunteers who painted their faces, played bean bag bingo with them and read them a fun Halloween story. The kids had a picnic lunch and each got to pick a little pumpkin to take home with them. The hay seemed to make poor Jacob itchy. Other than that I had a great time and Jacob is still at that age where it is cool to have your mom with you on field trips.

A Few Pictures

I guess because I had the video my last post would not let me post any pics... so here you go...

Steve and Amy at the luau.

Amy and Dylan waiting for the go-karts. Blake, Abby and Jacob eating cake and graham crackers at Traci's.

Mid-October Already...

Time is just flying by and I can't believe that Abby will be six next week and Dylan fourteen. I really can't remember everything that has gone on over the last month, but we've been super busy. I met with Abby's teacher the other day to get her report card. She is doing very well in Kindergarten. Jacob is doing great in pre-K, too! Both of them love to rhyme and play "Raise your hand if you know what word starts with the letter ___!" It is so fun to watch them grow and learn. Jacob is always coming up with new phrases that crack us up. Unfortunately, Princess Abby has gotten into a little trouble with forgetting her "listening ears" and has had her birthday party taken away. Steve and I hated to do that, but she has to learn to be a good listener and follow our directions.

Last Monday we took Abby & Jacob to the Georgia National Fair. They had fun riding the rides and looking at the animals. They loved holding the baby chicks that had only been hatched two days prior. Even Princess held one which shocked us. I forgot my camera (go figure). Wednesday Patrick, Blake's step-dad, drove down here and picked Blake up so he could spend some of his fall break in S.C. That night Steve and I had a luau to go to for our Commander who is leaving for Hawaii. So, Abby & Jacob had their first evening baby sitter who was not in our family. They had a great time and we think we will use her again.

Steve, Abby, Jacob & I headed up to S.C. for the weekend so we could spend some time with Dylan before his birthday. Saturday we hung out and watched "Iron Man" and swam in the pool at the hotel. Sunday we went to Frankie's Fun Park and the kids had a blast. The highlight of the day for Abby & Jacob was they got to drive their own go-karts (See the video below). They did great. At the end Abby crashed into the parked go-karts when it was time to park and Jacob went past the parking area and was yelling "How do you stop this thing?" It was very funny.

After Frankie's we went to Traci and Patrick's and celebrated Dylan's birthday (and Abby's too). Abby loves seeing Logan and Hampton and Jacob really loves the dogs! Then, we picked up Blake and headed home. It was great to be able to live close enough to spend some time with Dylan.