Fall Fun Part II

Here is a picture of us picking out our pumpkins last week. The boys loved to crawl around in the pumpkin patch and they really enjoyed the hayride. Despite Cole's lazy eye in the pic below, he really did enjoy it.




We carved our pumpkins this week. The boys weren't as excited about it as we thought they would be, but it was a good effort. They both wanted to eat the pumpkin tops and crinkle the newspaper more than anything else. I guess next year they'll appreciate it more.

Keith's face pretty much summed up the boys' mood for the evening...

Fall Fun

We are sorely missing New England this fall, but we've been trying to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather here lately. We took a drive 2 weekends ago on the scenic Columbia River Highway. Since I took most of the pictures, they turned out pretty bad, but at least we got a fellow sight-seer to take a picture of all of us.

We also celebrated Brent's birthday. The football gods gifted him with a huge win for the Cleveland Browns on his special day. Nothing I got him topped that.

We recently went to Baggenstos farm, home of the famous "Election '08" corn maze where we got seriously lost for an hour before Obama's hairline saved us and we made our escape. http://www.baggenstosfarms.com/

The evening also included a hay ride and a visit to the pumpkin patch. I forgot my camera on the hayride, so I'll post pics of that when I get them from my friend.



Cole and Keith and I were able to meet up with my Mom's family to surprise my Grandma Hague for her 80th birthday party. It was so fun to see everyone. Aunt Darel came back with me so I could survive the drive and spent the weekend with us. She turned heads at church as usual. All the young men were asking me about her. It was pretty funny.

Milo's visit

Grandma and Grandpa Burnett visited last weekend. Grandpa brought Milo and he was a huge hit. Keith and Cole would just stand at the back door whining and slobbering on the window while Milo whined and slobbered on the opposite side. The boys loved it when Grandpa would take them outside and let them play with Milo. Since they couldn't ride Milo, they got to ride the next best thing--Grandpa.



And Grandma led Cole around the house.









The highlight was G & G's new scooter purchase. Aren't these the coolest grandparents ever? Cole and Keith are so lucky.









Grandma is going to be the most hip teacher ever showing up to school on her new ride.









Cole wanted to be just like Grandma. Mom says he has to wait 17 more years. Dad disagrees. We'll see...









I always tell Brent that the boys' facial expressions are just like his. I finally caught Keith on camera.

Brent and Keith "watching" conference.


Storytime.

Bathtime.

Birthday Wish-list

1. An undisturbed shower
2. Shaved legs
3. Hairstyle other than a ponytail
4. Night out with ALL of my boys
5. 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep

Outcomes:
1. Got a shower. There was only one baby (Cole) standing outside the door and pounding on it. An improvement from the usual routine.
2. Partially complete. It went well until Cole decided he was finished waiting.
3. Got it. Not exactly given to me, but I took it upon myself to make it happen.
4. Got it and the boys were really good, despite serious teething distress.
5. Yeah right. That's why this was a "wish" list.

This list is distinctly different from any previous birthday lists. I will never again take the vain and selfish luxuries of numbers 1-3 and 5 for granted. As much as I might miss those current luxuries that were once simple daily tasks, I am fortunate to realize that I wouldn't have it any other way. What would I do without the blessing of wishing for number 4?



Brent worked really hard to ensure I had a nice day. We had a really fun dinner out with the boys, which we very rarely do and I got a chance to go shopping ALONE in the evening.




We had some excitement with the trick candles complete with fire alarm and melted ice cream cake. (Don't worry. It was still palatable. I single-handedly consumed its entirety in 3 days. Sick, I know.)

Keith and Cole loved the balloons they got and had a chance to try some new foods: cantaloupe and french fries. All in all, a day very well spent.

FOR SALE

Overnight shipping available. (In fact, it is preferable.)





Two for the price of one!



B.Y.B.O. (Bring Your Best Offer)


Never vacuum again!


Free gift wrapping available upon request.
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*Note: Man in middle is NOT for sale but used for modeling purposes only.

***No refunds or exchanges. Sale is final upon receipt.

"Man Up!"

More mobility translates into more injury. It's a natural fact. The thing that kills me the most is the loving consolation that only a father can give his sons. "Man up!" is the order given to Cole when he has artfully entrenched himself beneath a kitchen chair. "Come on now. Be a man." is the advice given to Keith as his father dresses him not so carefully. Many other comforting words are shared from father to sons as heads are bonked, faces are kicked and harmful substances are dug from mouths. Such a sweet sight.















Fortunately, the boys have an equally sympathetic mother who decided it was time for their first 5K race. The boys had their own racing numbers (Keith was #365 and Cole was #181) and even would have had a t-shirt but they ran out of baby shirts--darn. They were great racers even though we definitely did not win. Their favorite part was the french toast breakfast at the end. Hopefully by next year we can ditch the stroller and the boys can run. I guess we'll have to wait and see if they're men enough for that.