Farmer's Market

This past Saturday, we headed to the Farmer’s Market because they had an antique truck and firetruck show. 

 Early in the week, my father-in-law told us about it, so we decided to go.  Although it was freezing, we had a great time.  

 Owen enjoyed looking aroundand he even got to sit on a few of the trucks. Great way to spend a Saturday morning with the family!

Trick or Treat

Boo! Happy Halloween! Hope y’all had a wonderful Halloween.  We sure did!  Our Halloween started off with ordering pizza from Pizza Hut (yum), dressing everyone, attempting to take pictures (that’s always a chore…ha!), bundling up, and heading out for some trick or treating fun! 

 Our neighborhood was packed full of adorable kids and their families.  Owen had the time of his life…he would go to the door, once again shouting trick or treat long before they gave him candy….followed by a loud thank you. 

 

Often times (which we told him not to do) he would analyze the candy they were giving him…telling them “oh yummy, I like chocolate, or that looks so good, or even sometimes he asked for one more” He then would dart down the stairs and head to the next house.  

 Occasionally, he would even see a big pile of leaves and go flying in them! Oh boy…the life of having boys! Ha! Anyway, about halfway through I took Gray home and Brent and Owen went to a few more homes. 

They came in and warmed up with some yummy hot chocolate and Owen picked out 2 pieces of candy…he even shared some with us!  It was a fun and exciting Halloween.  I love experiencing holidays through the eyes of a child. What a fun night it was!

Halloween Party Fun

Owen had his Halloween party at school this past Wednesday.  This year he wanted to be a train conductor… if you remember, last year he was the exact same thing.   

Fine by us, that just meant we did not have to fork out extra money for a costume However, he has made it clear that next year he is going to be a fireman or Jake…ha…wonder how many times this will change? 

 Anyway, I am the room mom in his classroom, so I had to be there to coordinate the party and art activities.  I was hesitant to commit myself because I wasn’t too sure what I would do with Gray.  Luckily, Brent took Halloween off (thank you sweetie) so I could fully commit myself to the party.  I am so thankful that he did because it was a lot of work entertaining fourteen three year olds….I seriously think that all his teachers have to take naps after school everyday!  It was exhausting but nevertheless fun. 

After the party, art activities, and game we rounded up the gang and headed to the parking lot for some trunk or treat.  The trunks were amazing! The parents who participated did an awesome job. Owen and the rest of his class thoroughly enjoyed going around to each car.   

They were all very into trick or treating this year. They would all shout trick or treat way before they got to the car….followed by thank you before they even got the candy! ha  The teachers and I were laughing so hard at them. They were all so cute!

Mighty Mason

If y’all follow me on Facebook you know how passionate I am about this little boy.  Mason was born at 21 weeks, weighing just over a pound.  He has fought hard for his life and has overcome many obstacles.  Last week, he was able to come home...what a blessing!!! I could not imagine a better Thanksgiving gift. God is so good!  Please pray for Mason, and also join me in welcoming him home. Please pray for his family during this time…that he heals, grows, and develops into a healthy boy!

This story amazes me. His parents are strong Christians and they have counted on God’s faith through every trial they faced with Mason.  I truly believe that God has healed this little man and that he has great things in store for him.  This story has made me take a look at my own life.  

 Because of this story, I am a stronger Christian, mother, and wife.  It made me really take a look at my own kids and appreciate all that I have to be thankful for.  It also made me realize that there is no problem too big or small for our almighty God.  I couldn’t even imagine what this family has been through…but one thing is for sure, through it all they have rejoiced, prayed, and relied on God’s faith to get them through.  Although this story is sad in many ways, this family has chosen to remain positive and pray knowing that God will see them through. They could have chosen to have a “pitty party” (which they had every right to do) but instead this has brought them closer to God.  They have touched many lives by sharing this story…I sure do know that it has touched mine.  I can’t wait to shake mighty Mason’s hand had one day and tell him what an inspiration that he was to me!

Fun with the Meadors

Several weeks ago Owen, Gray, and I packed it up and headed to the Meadors for some pumpkin fun.  We love the Meadors! Cameron and I have become close friends as well as our boys.  Our boys are so close in age and it is so much fun to watch them play and have fun together.  

 

 Owen and Liam call each other best friends and always want to get together and play.  I am so thankful that Owen has such a sweet best friend.  Liam’s parents are amazing and I hope they are always best friends! 

 

Cameron and I are both exhausted after a playdate with these two, because they are typical boys…on the go from one thing to next.  One thing is for sure - after these two get together, they take great afternoon naps, because they both wear each other out!   

We love getting together with them, they are so much fun and Cameron and I always enjoy each other’s company….even if it is crazy, they are boys after all…and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

 

Fun at the Y Carnival

Our Y always has a Fall Carnival and the other Friday, we took the boys to it. Obviously there wasn't much for Gray to do, so he just took notes from the stroller!

Owen had a great time. He bowled, fished for treats, popped balloons, got his face painted and did spin art.

We all went on the hayride and it was so much fun! What a nice way to kick off Fall.

Mabry Mill & Pilot Mountain

Every Fall, we love going up in the mountains to see the leaves changing and to pick out some pumpkins.  One Sunday in October, we decided to head up to the Parkway. 

We first went to Mabry Mill where Owen got to see the grist mill in operation and the tinsmith making tools.  We always love going up there, it's like a step back in time. 

Next, we rode on the Parkway and checked out the leaves.  We stopped at a country store and picked out pumpkins and had lunch.  There was a candy store that had about anything you could imagine.  We all got a couple of treats. 

On the way home, we stopped at Pilot Mountain.  The view was amazing.  We put Gray in the Baby B'jorn, which was perfect (I couldn't imagine pushing a stroller on the trails). 

Owen loved walking on the trails and he did it all by himself.  We walked to the base of the pinnacle and walked all around it. 

 We were beat when we got back to the car.  It was such a fun day and the weather couldn't have been better!
 

Bright Sunshiny Days

The YMCA in Kernersville has an outdoor kiddie pool and this year they opened a second outdoor pool, that is geared for older kids.  They have several water slides and other obstacle type things in the water.  It's four feet deep, so Owen has to get in with one of us. 

We had not gone to the pool very much until about sometime in July.  Then, it seemed like we tried to wear it out.  We would go on Saturdays and Sundays and would meet Cameron/Liam/Noah there during the week some too. 

O loves the water and had a lot of fun.  He really enjoyed getting in the"big" pool with Brent and watching B go down the water slides.  Owen was a little sad when the pool closed Labor Day.  The indoor pool is open year-round of course, and sometimes on Saturdays, we'll all go and let O get in the water with Brent.  O likes to jump in off the side of the pool to Brent.  His favorites are belly flops and what he calls underwater jumps (Brent catches him and his head goes underwater). 

Meanwhile, Gray checks everything out from the stoller.  He must have a lot of ideas in his head for when he gets older!

Five Months Old!

Since Gray has gotten bigger and heavier, he really enjoys his bouncer.  We'll catch a glimpse of him and he has that thing going to town!  If he's just sitting in it still and hears music, he gets to rockin like you've never seen. 

This month, we introduced vegetables.  So far, he seems to like them and has tried green beans, squash, peas, and carrots.  It's funny to watch him open up, it reminds you of a little bird!  We usually sit him in the Bumboo and feed him.  It's usually not too messy until he wipes him mouth with his hands and then touches his hair and face!  Then we have a little bit of a mess.  On many occasions, we get the bathtub ready and give him a bath after he's finished eating!  We continue to give him oatmeal in the mornings and usually in the evenings too. 

Owen had a cold this month and of course brought it home to Gray.  Poor fellow was all stopped up and even had to have a couple of breathing treatments.  He is fine now and back to his happy self. 

He is sitting more by himself and has almost got it down.  He plays each day in his activity center and spins all around it playing with each thing.  Of course, he stills checks out Owen's every move.  Owen still plays a little too rough with him at times, but he is such a sweet big brother.  He will give him kisses and covers him up if he thinks he may be cold. 

We have the sweetest boys!

The Many Sides of Owen

Owen is such a neat kiddo.  You never know what he is going to say, do, or what imaginary story he is going to create!  His imagination is so active at this age.  Just wanted to share a few of the many things he gets into.

Back to School

For the last two years, Owen has been going two days a week to Fountain of Life Preschool.  This year he is in the 3-4 year old class and loves his new teachers, Miss Chrissy and Miss MaryBeth.

This year he goes three days a week and is able to go to Lunch Bunch too.  Lunch Bunch is offered a couple of times a month and he brings his lunch and they have a craft and play.

We went to Target to let him pick out a lunchbox.  He picked out a a fire truck one.  He is so proud of it and goes right on in with it when I drop him off.  I am so glad he is still liking school.  It is such a nice feeling to see him go right on in without me compared to two years ago when he cried and I had to come pick him up!  He's come a long way!  It's happy to see him well-adjusted to preschool, but a little sad to know that he's growing up!

Four Months Old!

Gray continues to be a very happy baby.  He is constantly smiling and gets excited when he sees both of us.  He is getting used to his big brother.  At first, I think Owen's loud noises and constant hugging (or smothering) scared him and he would start crying.  Now, when O is being the entertainer, Gray just smiles and goes along with it! 

It's funny to watch the interaction between the two.  Gray watches his every move.  When Owen is playing with his toys, Gray does not take his eyes off of him for a second.  I guess he's taking notes so he will know what to do when he gets a little older. 

His back and neck muscles continue to strengthen and he can sit for a short period by himself.  He is sleeping pretty well, usually from about 8 until 6:30 in the morning.  We introduced oatmeal to him this month and he seems to be getting the hang of having it spoon-fed to him. 

He usually takes a morning and afternoon nap.  If we're at home, he takes them in his bed and if we're out and about, he usually knocks off in his carseat.  So glad our little man is such a happy baby!

Fun at Tweetsie!

Last year, the three of us went to Tweetsie for the Day out with Thomas.  Owen had the BEST time and loved that Thomas was there.  We wanted to wait until closer to fall to go back this year, which meant Thomas would not be there!  We thought Owen would be so disappointed, but we explained it to him before we went and he was fine with it. 

We went the last Friday in August.  It was not very crowded and the weather was perfect!  We didn't know what to expect bringing Gray with us, but as usual, he was absolutely perfect the entire time.  We were able to take in all of the attractions and got to ride the big train two times. 

We stayed at the park until about 5 and then headed to Downtown Boone.  We went to the Mast General Store and let Owen pick out some things.  After we walked around some, we headed to Blowing Rock and had dinner at Woodland's Barbeque. 

It was pretty late when we got home, but we had the best time.  Already looking forward to it again next year.