Halloween 2009

Soon after Sam's firefighter costume arrived at our house (courtesy of my neighbor and her generous "hand-me-down" spirit), Jack had a burning desire to be a firefighter, too. We quickly swapped out the Dale Jr. racecar driver uniform he had been planning to wear with his dress-up firefighter coat and hat. A quick trip to Old Navy yielded (amazingly enough) matching bright red sweatpants. No sweat, we had ourselves two firefighters...oh, except for the sweat. Did I mention it was 80 degrees and rainy/misty/humid on Halloween evening? And my boys were dressed in head-to-toe fleece? Miserable!

We did, however, have a lot of fun at our church's Fall Festival. The kids played games, bounced, took a hayride, and trunk-or-treated.

Rick took the boys for some neighborhood treat-seeking, before we put them to bed for the night. Then we had our 2nd annual cul-de-sac Halloween bonfire and chili dinner--minus the bonfire (that rain was a real bummer). All in all, it was a Halloween to remember.

Jack and Sam stop at a trunk for a treat.

Sam was really excited about this hayride...until he realized it was taking him away:(

The firefighter, Cinderella, and the postman lived it up as only princesses and civil servants can!

The official Halloween 2009 photo with original costuming (sigh).

Happy Birthday, Nanee!

Photo courtesy: Jack Wilcox

Happy Birthday, Nanee! Wish we could've celebrated with you!
Love, Jack & Sam

Choosing the Perfect Pumpkin

Night at the Pumpkin Farm

This is our second year going to a local pumpkin farm with our friends and neighbors. They added a child-sized haybale maze, which the kids loved. The experience includes a tractor-pulled wagon ride to a petting farm on the property. There's so much to do, we'll be back again next year!

Sam wanted to swim in the pumpkins!

That's a big tractor, farmer Jack!

Really, there was a maze, a petting farm, and lots more to do--they just really liked the tractors!

The family photo after dusk, sans flash:(


Local Pumpkin Shopping

This is the local pumpkin lot just around the corner. The boys each chose their very own pumpkin. Jack's was painted with the John Deere symbol. Sam's was one of those miniature pumpkins. Rick's were the two largest pumpkins on the lot...boys will be boys:)

Sam contemplates the age old question: Is bigger really better?

Jack's on a mission to find the perfect gourd.

Sam in a Basket

Sam parked himself in this basket for a quick snack--he fits perfectly!

Chilly Oktoberfest

The neighborhood Oktoberfest was delayed a week because of rain, only to finally take place on the coldest day so far this Fall. We had a picnic dinner, enjoyed the live music, and tried to keep track of the boys (who ran from inflatable to inflatable) and warm at the same time!

Sam bounced away on the inflatable obstacle course.

Jack danced to the live music.

Yum! Yum!

Sam Loves Bubbles

Sam can work the bubble blower all by himself now, and he's gotten quite good at it (lots of practice, I guess). All parents know that most bubble blowers are pretty much crap: they are messy and usually break soon after removing the packaging. Uncle Randy and Aunt Stacey got this one for Jack on his 2nd birthday, and it is by far the best bubble blower ever made. Hey, it's lasted almost two years and two kids!

Bedtime Stories

Here is a sampling of a relaxing, calming bedtime story (interrupted by an impromptu song) as read...er, sung by Rick to his sons.