And this is why we are grateful for leaves

I needed a day to recover from Halloween 'week'.  So to help me out, I spent yesterday digging through Kate's candy basket.  I was happily surprised to see that we hit the chocolate jackpot! 

That jackpot is no more. 

But know this - it was delicious.


We went on our annual trick or treating hayride on Saturday night with our family and friends and Sunday had a little festival at our church for Reformation Sunday. 

Kate with her aunts (Sal Gal and Ali)

Doesn't Kate look so much like her cousin Lillie?

What happens when the hayride completely fills up and there's not an inch of room left?


You're stuck riding a pink bike. 

With a child's seat on the back.

The hayride was scheduled to leave around 7pm, but this was unfortunate timing because the Florida Georgia game was tied and it's simply not an option to depart from the TV screen in such situations.  So we actually loaded up with a quickness and headed to where we knew we could stay updated on the game, while the kids got their trick or treat on.

We decided to take some pictures and act super interested in all of their Halloween yard decor while we had someone stand in the doorway of their home to keep us updated on the game. 

Alas, we were able to continue trick or treating with HUGE smiles on our faces.  The Gators won!  That makes this Gator a very happy mama!

And well, in case you were wondering, I didn't weasel my way out of dressing up for Halloween.

Adam and Eve

It appears someone got a little overzealous with the magic marker on M to the Izz-A's shirt, does it not? 


Moral of the story:  Stay away from friends that make homemade costumes.

my little man's first Halloween

bringin' him up right

Runnin' on fumes

Ya'll, it's only Friday and Kate's already worn her costume twice.  We've got two more parties to attend (yes, one is actually on Halloween night) and by the end of the week the costume should be able to walk by itself. 

Hamp wears his in small increments of time, as his hot-natured self tends to get sweaty quite easily, and it doesn't really go with his no-fuss wardrobe requirement.   But I think we chose the cutest little costume for him.  He really rocks it.


Kate's had her mind made up since August on what her costume would be, and she never wavered. 

Children's department costume party at church on Wednesday night

Kate's preschool party was on Thursday, so Hamp and I joined her for some festive fun.

performing their songs



This is actually turned out to be an unintentional picture of all three of us.  There we are, we're the lady-with-a-baby-on-her-hip shadow.  Look closely, my sweat droplets probably have a shadow of their own.



The party was lots of fun.  We even went on a hayride that put Mr. Mister right to sleep.



Kate's soccer season is almost over with only a couple of games remaining.  She had a game last night and as you probably guessed, she and cousin Lydia were side by side.

I don't know if they ever really play an entire game without digging in the dirt, playing chasing, or better yet, breaking out their baby dolls on the sideline.




After the game, we went to dinner at Papa T and Grammy Shirley's house.  Thankfully, they live just right across the lawn. 



Feeding the ducks with Papa T



me, kate, and the never ending tootsie roll

M to the Izz-A and I have gotten into the habit of drinking coffee in the evenings. 

I have become my parents. 

I also enjoy going to bed early, like by 9pm or so, but not on Tuesdays because I can't miss my show, Parenthood.  I simply love that show.

And we finally got around to carving our pumpkin this week. 

Originally, it started out with all of us outside involved in the carving process.  Then, Hamp got hot, or the wind was maybe bothering his ears, or the gnats were gettin' bad, or something like that.  I can't remember the excuse I actually ended up going with.  There's something incredibly wrong about having temperatures in the high 80's in late October.  We were melting.

 So Kate and Daddy finished up on their own.  They LOVE having full creative control. 


And look how cute they turned out.


Meet Sad Face and Happy Face.

So adorable, right?

Wait.  Are they making fun of my mood swings?


They probably are, but I'll take it.  Today.

Tomorrow may be a different story. 


Now with Halloween coming this weekend, M to the Izz-A and I decided to just skip the costumes this year.  Some of you will remember that last year the whole family dressed up as pirates. 

Up until last weekend we were still going with the no costume plan, until a few of our friends had a different idea in mind for us.


You guys are going to DIE when you see us dressed up this year.  Seriously, it is a hoot!  Let's just say, long johns have never been tampered with in such a way.  Let's hope I don't chicken out.



Anyway, I gotta run.  Matt just brought me a big ol' cup of hot coffee and a handful of pumpkin seeds that he and Kate just baked in the oven.  Let's hope it keeps me up 'til 9.