Trick or Treat?

Here are some pictures of the kids in there Halloween costumes. Hope you enjoy!

Madison was Toph from the Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender

Jackson was Aang from the same show.

Baby was Batman because he refused to be the Astronaut that I purchased for him. He was just being defiant because he also wanted to be a figure from Avatar, but it just isn't that popular...yet, so I couldn't find one. I had to have Madison's made.

Another Hayride, Only at the Barn this Time!

So, yesterday evening we went down to Smithville to have dinner at the Barn. Jessica came with us.

There was a little bit of a wait to eat, so we wandered over to the pond and watched the ducks swim and the kids swing on the swingset

We eventually go to eat and it was well worth the wait. We decided to do the buffet. It had meatloaf, fried chicken, roast beef, pizza, the most delicious mashed potatoes, a huge salad bar with all the fixins...and soup, and last but not least, the delectable dessert bar with peanut butter brownies, blueberry muffins with honey butter, ice cream, and peach cobbler. MMMMMMM!

By the time we got up from the table, it hurt to walk. But walking we did. We headed over to the cornfield nearby for a corn maze, a straw bale maze, a pumpkin patch, bonfire and hayride through the fields and around the lake...we were inches from being in it. The driver of the tractor assured us that the bales of hay we were sitting on would serve nicely as floatation devices, though.

We got all turned around in the corn maze, but luckily took a picture of the map to refer to. Don't ask me how, but after about 25 minutes of twisting, turning, dead ends, and frights we found our way out into the pumpkin patch. The pumpkins were huge, but we didn't get any because the kids had already gotten some on school field trips to pumpkin farms...and I don't think we could've carried them back to the entrance. Later we saw some wagons though. It would've been cool to get such a big pumpkin.

The kids ran through the hay bale maze over and over while we waited around the fire for the hayride to arrive. It was a bumpy ride, but very enjoyable. I think everyone had a really great time. It was nice to just take in the moment. Relax. Enjoy the evening and time with our family, with no expectations or plans or itineraries to keep to.

Fall Family Festival at Goodyear Metro

This past Saturday, we went to Goodyear Metro Park for the annual hayride. We invited Papaw Larry to tag-along. The lines were long, but moved pretty quickly. While Charlie and Papaw Larry saved our spot in the hayride line, me and the kids got in line for neon bracelets, free popcorn, cookies, apples, apple cider, frisbees, and animal petting. We got to look at tarantulas, chincillas, the fur and skull of a tiger, and a turtle that was found in the park. There were telescope (stellarscopes according to Jack) set up to look at the stars in the sky. There was also a huge bonfire in the middle of the park where the rangers read spooky ghost stories.

Jack is missing from the picture of the Leaf Guy because Jack is still scared to death of anyone or thing in a costume unless it is himself, even though he could clearly see the Leaf had legs just like him or I.

We eventually got back in line and enjoyed the hayride through the park at dark. It careened through the woods where it was really dark and bumpy. The kids loved it and were all booing like scary ghosts.

After the hayride, we headed over to the DJ area where we danced the night away. The DJ even came up and sang and danced with Madison. The boys pretended to be shy, but by the last song of the night, everyone was dancing, even Papaw Larry and Charlie.

Happy 15th!

October 4th, 2007 was mine and Charlie's 15th anniversary since we first started dating. He was 15 and I was 14. Granted we broke up a few times in between, but we always got back together. It just seems amazing that I have known him for 15 years. It's even weirder to think that Madison is almost ten. So in four years she could be meeting the boy she will spend the rest of her life with...or at least 15 years, let's take it one day at a time. Weird!

Soccer is Underway

We started soccer in late August and it ends the third week of October. The kids play one hour games non-competively (if that exists), really they just don't keep score. All the kids love it. Jackson is definitely our goalie, jumping and diving for the ball every chance he gets. He has also scored three goals, two in his first game and one last week. Baby made a great assist last week for Jack's scoring goal. Little Charlie also just missed his own goal, hitting the post and bouncing out. I think before the season is over, he will definitely SCORE!

Both the boys do great offensively and defensively. They are so lucky to be on the same team, and for once...they share! Madison also does great at soccer. She's constantly got her eye on the ball, heading it off at every turn. She is getting a little more aggressive, which I love. She made her first attempt at scoring last week as well. It was deflected by another players shin guard. She is great at dribbling the ball and is the only child on her team to win the Silver Shoe Award. She had to dribble the ball starting from the ground to her foot and knee at least five times.

Speaking of awards, this past week I was awarded "Mother of the Year!" It was our day to do snack for the boys' team...and I forgot! Next week it's Jackson's turn, let's hope I remember. Maybe I'll pull a Shannon and pull gourmet finger sandwiches and sun tea right out of my ask

me no more questions.