Pumpkin carving time!

Before

Aedan checking out his pumpkin

Watching Ryan

Ryan is cutting the pumpkin, and Josiah is waiting to see what's inside. Could it be dinosaurs?

Aedan looking inside the pumpkin!

Aedan pulling out gooey seeds.

Making the face

Ryan is working on Josiah's pumpkin.

Josiah's pumpkin.

The boys with their pumpkins:) We let them pick the shapes they wanted for the eyes and nose, and also how many teeth they wanted their pumpkin to have.

After:)

Fall Fun

14 weeks

I am now 14 weeks pregnant! I went to get some new jeans last night. I had 2 pairs already, but one pair was too big, and the other pair was too tight around the band. I tried to get jeans that were a little loose, so they'll be more likely to fit me later. (But, obviously not falling off of me like the pair I have at some.) After looking at JC Penny, I found a couple pairs at Kohl's. My next appointment is next Monday:)

What's inside a pumpkin?

Last weekend we went to Walmart to get pumpkins for the boys. We had planned to go to Amazing Acres and let the boys experience the hayride, corn mazes, and farm, but for the last three weekends it has rained! (Although it didn't rain this past Saturday, we were on retreat.) Josiah has been asking what's inside, and I keep telling him that he'll have to wait and see. We had a funny conversation walking in the house the other night as we passed by our pumpkins.

Josiah: "Mommy, what's inside the pumpkin?"

Me: "You'll have to wait and see. We'll cut them open and carve them pretty soon!"

Josiah: "I think there are DINOSAURS inside!"

Fall Retreat 2009

This weekend we headed to a camp in Kentucky with the youth group! The camp was about 2 hours away...in the middle of well, no where. There was a little town about 10 minutes further down the road, but we drove through lots of back roads to get to Barefoot Republic Camp. I was able to go without our children this time, which always makes it MUCH easier to be a part of what's going on and to actually be with the youth. We are very thankful to the Gaspards and the Bowlings for watching our children. They both said that they did great, so that always makes having to leave them for a short time easier. Both families have children, so Josiah and Aedan were easily entertained with their friends and of course, "new toys."

The theme for the week was "Identity"...looking at who we are in Christ. Ryan did a great job preparing everything. (Sometimes I don't know how he can be so creative all the time...constantly coming up with new ways to teach something.) I have to say that I am glad it is finished, as Ryan spends LONG hours at the office finishing everything. I look forward to having him home more and also the next couple weekends when we'll be at home, and not traveling.

I didn't take tons of pictures on the retreat, but here are a few of our weekend:

Art Time

We had "art time" this morning. The boys painted with watercolors! They did a great job. I had to tell Josiah..."water, paint, paper". At first he would put the brush in the water, then paint, then back in the water...and get it all mixed up. He did great once he got the hang of it. He loved to mix the colors! Aedan did well, too, but needed a little more assistance.

Aedan painting

Josiah is concentrating!

painting

Aedan getting paint on his brush

Look at that great painting!

Josiah was able to hold the brush really well:)

We also made tissue paper pictures. Aedan decorated a triangle and Josiah decorated a rhino. Josiah did his entirely all by himself!

For Mama...

Mama and her great-grandkids

Wagon Fun!

My friend, Cathy, had a garage sale not too long ago and since she has twin boys a few years older I found some great stuff. I got several shorts for Josiah for next summer. (the sporty/comfy type that I love) I got him some winter stuff, too that he can wear this winter and some for next winter. Also, of course, they had toys for sale! I bought the boys each a scooter (for $2 each), and some other things for Christmas and Josiah's birthday. I got the boys a wagon and gave it to them now so they could play with it in the fall. (They'll have to wait for the rest of it!) Here are some pics of wagon fun!