Braden's getting ready to learn to play the piano

I plan on teaching all the boys to play the piano. Braden is getting close to the perfect age to start learning, but he hasn't shown any interest yet. He has gotten a little excited this year since one of his friends started taking lessons from me so we've started this fun workbook. He's learning basic music concepts that are an essential part of the first year of lessons. This should give him a good head start for when he starts lessons next year.

Creepy Spiders

Braden and Dominic made these "adorable" spiders.

Funny Face Pumpkins

I absolutely detest carving pumpkins, but this was LOTS of fun and a great alternative. Thanks Ruth!!!!! (Another surprise from the box)

Gifts from Grammy

Ruth sent the boys a Halloween box. The boys get totally excited over these boxes and this one was full of surprises. Here are pictures of them enjoying their treats and new notebooks (which they filled with drawings in a matter of days! Both boys insisted on taking their new pencils, folders and notebooks everywhere ie the store, Jacob's blessing, school, to bed.)

Guess what DJ did?

Grandma and Sam

My Dad came down today to help DJ winterize and store the boat. He brought my Grandmother with him. It was soooo great having her here. She sat there and talked to my older boys and later she read books with Sam. It was incredible watching her interact with my kids and I was flooded with memories of my time with her when I was a little girl. She even made up a story for Braden based on a picture he brought her. She's very good at this and would have been an incredible children's author. Love you Grandma!

Sticker Faces

Braden and Dom thought it would be funny to put stickers on their faces. So I spelled their names for them across their foreheads. And of course I was included in the fun and Braden wanted my picture too.

Sam's Bottle

One Mommy rule I made for myself and was never broken.......I hold the bottle, not my babies. Sam thought it was pretty funny that I let him walk around with his bottle. 2 more months and then no more "baba's".

Sam Plays in Rain

I have pictures of all my boys playing in the rain. This was Sam's first time. He loved it!

Dixie Round Up Rodeo

My friend Jessica and I took the kids to the rodeo. Everyone had a GREAT time. It was just Jess and I and between the two of us there were 7 kids (no husbands, aren't we brave?). When we walked in I heard the guy who took our tickets exclaim in astonishment to Jessica, "Are these all your kids?" She said, no only half and then he looked at me. Then he said "You guys have been busy." I'm not sure, but I think he meant busy in bed. Ha Ha.

Dominic spent a lot of time crawling up and down the stairs. And the memory maker of the evening was when Sam got to pet a horse for the first time. He giggled in pure delight.

Painting Pumpkins

Halloween is my favorite time to do crafts with the kids. Here they are painting the pumpkins Holly gave to us. Thanks Holly!

Why is there a rock in my fridge?

This is what I said, loudly. Dom spoke up and said "I put it in there because it was too hot and it needed to cool down."

DJ's Crafty Side!

Braden's Kindergarten teacher sent home his first "family art project." We were supposed to decorate paper pumpkins together. After DJ made his he decided to cut out 3 small ones to represent each child and glued it on to his. Can you tell who's who?