Borrowed Leaves

Thanks to some very windy days, we had a pile of leaves that migrated to our back door step for a few minutes of fun. There are lots of leaves considering we don't have any trees in our yard.

family photo time

We squeezed in some family photo time - thanks to our Emilee. We miss and love her - lots!

A Scarecrow

In the weeks leading to Halloween, I asked Camden what he wanted to be for Halloween. He didn't give me any great ideas. After a few days of the repeated question, "What do you want to be when you go trick-or-treating?" His reply was, "how bout a scarecrow." A scarecrow it is - we've got all the supplies except for the face paint, straw, and bird.

I'll be honest, I'm not a Halloween person. It isn't because I think it is too evil or gory because it doesn't have to be. It isn't because I don't enjoy taking my son around town to visit friends and family. Mainly, I dread thinking of a costume that is cheap and easy to make. I, personally, prefer not to spend a dime on a Halloween costume that is used for only a few hours. I know it is a fun experience for kids, but still, it seems like a waste of money. And, I dread having to ration candy for the following three months. I've got a candy beggar on my hands and he wears me down. How could you resist this cuteness?




Trick-or-treating was a success. On our first night out, we saw our neighbor and friend. He was Spiderman. The second night we were preparing to go trick-or-treating again (we couldn't get everywhere in one night), Camden said, "I don't want to be a scarecrow anymore, I want to be Spiderman tonight." My thoughts were, you have got to be kidding me. I didn't cave, he was a scarecrow again.

By the way, we had the bibs, flannel shirt, cowboy hat, boots, and felt. I purchased a package of raffia, face paint, and a bird for a total of $5.50. I'm hoping for a costume in this same budget for next year!

Pathetic, I Know

Yes, I am months behind in sharing the happenings of our life. While fall is our favorite season of the year it is also the busiest time of year.

Each fall, it takes a bit of time to adjust as Austin begins a new work schedule. Having a new work schedule each school semester can be a very good thing - nothing is never permanent. With that said, it takes nearly a full semester to get in the grove a new schedule and then it changes again.

For me, I spend more hours at the office that I would like. The core responsibility of my job is financial planning. My employer's financial planning cycle occurs as the season changes from summer to fall; therefore, I don't get to enjoy my favorite season of much as I'd like. But really, I am thankful for my job - most days anyway.

As you can see, this little man is no longer excited to be my primary subject when I have my camera in hand, if you can't tell.


My bribing skills are getting better each photo shoot.


Generally, I can get at least one photo that makes me happy.

The Arch

Recently, we spent a weekend in St. Louis.

It was Austin and Camden's first visit to the Arch. I'm certain it was Austin's favorite activity of the weekend - going up and looking down (and out). He enjoyed the cowboy and indians museum at the bottom of the Arch too.

Camden's favorite was by far the Magic House, which was our first stop in St. Louis. I'm grateful that he loved it, but nothing else that we did stacked up against the Magic House, at least in Cam's mind.

My favorite would have been the zoo, only it was nearly 100 degrees which made the experience nearly miserable. I enjoyed Grant's Farm - probably because it was about 30 degrees cooler than the zoo visit. Plus, I hadn't seen Grant's Farm before.

We will be making a trip to the Magic House again soon. Camden has asked several times since the trip when we were going to the Magic House again.

Smart & Silly

Austin and I have got a smart, silly boy on our hands.

Camden: "Mom, I smell something" (he shouts as he's playing in the tub)
Me: "What do you smell?" (I shout back as I'm in his room getting clean undies and jammies)

Camden: "Umm, I think it is manurer chicken.
Me: "Yep, Cam, the worker is here spreading manurer."
Camden: "To help our grass grow?"
Me: "You've got it. You are so smart!"

Nanny comes over later in the evening.

Me: "Cam, tell Nanny what we got in our yard."
Camden: "Manurer chicken."
Nanny: "Do you what manurer is?"
Camden: "Yep, just manurer."

And, just because I can't bring myself to blog without photos:

As Promised

Family, friends, and co-workers:

I know, I know. I've been promising this post for nearly 6 months. So, here it is - my best effort at a home tour via photographs. You'll quickly notice that decorating is not my cup of tea. I'd rather be scrapbooking :-) Decor suggestions are welcome!

More Baby Holding

Welcome to this world Baby Grayson!

Aubrey Girl

Camden loves this girl. He chats about her all.the.time and is so excited when he gets to see her. They play well together and she looks after him like a little Mommy.

I do not know when she became a girl and not a teeny, tiny baby that I held in my arms just a few hours after her birth as a first time aunt.

Now, she's big stuff - a kindergartener - all tall, big, and smart. We hope you are enjoying school sweet Aubrey.

P.S. Camden misses you and looks forward to seeing you again!

Wheels

After a bit of frusteration and little push from Daddy, he's off and happy. It sure is nice to have a smooth surface and a small slope to get the wheels a turning.

Smitten

Smitten by a new baby girl. A new neighbor, playmate, and friend. She's a dainty, precious little girl. Camden is curious to why she has a twig on her belly button. Some questions, I just don't have the answer for. I can't calm my laughter quick enough to answer.

Reading Fool

A mom would think that silence in a 3 year-old's bedroom would be that someone is up to no good. The thought runs through my head often. But, lately, I've been finding this. He loves to read on his own. And this is good.

Holiday World 2011

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!