trick or treat! (smell my feet)

Sam was soooo excited for Halloween this year! He talked about it for weeks and weeks. He changed his costume every week. First he wanted to be a firefighter, then he was set on a storm trooper fro Star Wars. He talked about being a Power Ranger and Batman too. But in the end (a few days before Halloween) he wanted to be a witch. Yes, my son wanted to be a witch. So we made it work. Ben of course had no idea of what Halloween was or what was going to happen. And he had no choice of what his costume was going to be and so he was a mouse. The weather was actually pretty nice, so the kids didn't have to wear coats and boats over their costumes. There was a house that we drove by everyday on the way to Sam's school and they had a huge Halloween display and Sam could not wait to go trick or treating at the "Halloween House." So we went trick or treating in that neighborhood. Of course Sam was super scared of the house once we walked up to it and Andy had to carry him up to get a piece of candy. We went around the whole neighborhood and after about 5 houses Sam was really getting the trick or treating down. He got a lot of candy and had a ton of fun. Ben spent most of the time in the stroller but did get to walk up to a couple houses. No one could figure out Ben's costume, most people thought he was a bear and he was called a girl several times! and Sam's loved say, "Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet." Cracked him up every time!

Lot of pictures here.

pumpkin carving

After we got done playing in the leaves and getting my crazy picture done, the boys went to work on the pumpkins. Andy did all the craving, Jacob picked out all the pumpkins seeds (which he just loves). Sam watched mostly, he wanted to help, but didn't want to touch that yucky stuff (he gets that from his mom). Ben really had no idea what they were doing, but he did know that he saw some bright orange things out of his reach and he wanted to check them out! Andy did a great job craving the pumpkins and I think that they all had a lot of fun! See all the pictures here!

that last picture (and playing in the leaves)

There was one final fall picture I just had to get to make my photo book for the year. I had planned to get this picture while at the cider mill, but the first time we went it was just Sam and Ben (this picture had to have all three kids). The second time we went to the cider mill, we had just finished with family pictures and Sam was not in the picture taking mood. And there were mosquitoes everywhere down the path that I like to take the picture at. I had thought about trying to get back up to the cider mill again today, but it didn't look like the weather was going to cooperate with me. It was cloudy, then it started to rain. But while the kids were eating lunch the sun started to come out, Andy said maybe we could head up to this Christmas Village down the road to take the picture (but that just was not the "scene" that I wanted for my picture). There was a nice large area in the backyard that might work. But it was still really wet out from the rain. I said screw it, so the kids get a little dirty, I want my picture! After lunch I started to get them dressed in their "cider mill" outfits. Meanwhile it starting hailing outside! But I saw a huge patch on sun on the way too. The kids thought I was crazy, Andy started to think I was a little crazy too! But as I finished fixing up Jacob's hair the hail went away and the sun came out. All the kids were in a great mood (once we told them they could play in the leaves!). And I got the picture I wanted (actually I got quite a few that turned out good)! It's the cover for my photo albums and it just has to match the previous years (I am so anal about these things!). Afterwards we let the kids play in the leaves for a little bit. Jacob and Sam had fun throwing leaver all over each other. Ben kept trying to walk through them, but kept falling down and getting frustrated. You can see all the pictures here, but below is that one picture I wanted...

pumpkins and apples

Today we got together my with family for our annual apple picking and pumpkin hunting day. We had another very nice day (just like last year) although it was a little on the warm side for mid October. Jacob and Sam loved the inflatable bounce thing and slide. Ben got to walked around with his Aunts and Grandma. And we got to meet Jeanette's boyfriend Dave, who is a very nice guy. We had some donuts and cider of course and picked some apples and the kids got some pumpkins. We took the annual family picture, which turned out really good, thanks to Dave! All the pics are here.

cider mill

After the wonderful time we had taking family pictures, we decided to head up to the cider mill. That was about as fun as family pictures! Of course the kids had to change into their cider mill outfits (come on... you know me!). But they look so cute that way! The donuts and cider were great as always and Ben is really getting the hang of eating donuts! The bees were out this time though and Sam was in one his moods. We took a short walk down the trail, short because the mosquitoes were out! They were all over the kids and Andy and I just couldn't take anymore of squatting them off everyone. I got some cute pictures of course! Hopefully we will have another chance to go in two weeks and it will be a little bit better.

family pictures (yeah right!)

So we attempted to do family pictures at the park today. It was a little warmer than I would have wanted it to be (the kids were wearing sweaters and jeans for their pictures) and there were barely any clouds (making it hard to find a spot without any shadows). Jeanette met us up at the park to take the pictures (two years ago, I did the set the timer and run into the picture at the last minute thing, which does not really work). I really figured that Ben would be my problem child. Being that he is only eleven months and in the stage of not wanting to sit still for anything. And you never know if he is going to be in a good mood or change in two seconds and be screaming. But, Ben was in a great mood and laughing before we even really started pictures. Sam on the other hand, was not having any part in taking pictures. He had some sticks he wanted to play with and gosh darn it, that is what he wanted to do. As soon as we took those sticks away he was mad! He face was either shoved in Andy's lap or his hands were over his eyes. Sometimes he would just turn his face the other way. I think we got one or two of his looking at the camera with a semi-smile (of course those would be the pictures were one or two of the rest of us were not looking at the camera). Jacob was great and except for trying to not bust out laughing at his brothers, kept smiling the whole time. We got some funny shots and it will be another family picture taking experience that we will laugh about later. I did get some fabulous pictures of each of the boys by them selves (you can these through the link below or at their separate blogs-links at the top) and a couple of all three of them together. Hey, at least we spent some time all together, that counts for something right?!?! (links to all the pictures are below)















family pictures
three boys
jacob (11 years)
sam (3 years)
ben (11 months)

first taste of fall

Today we stopped in at Yates Cider Mill for our first taste of some donuts and cider. This was Ben's first trip ever to the cider mill. He loved watching all the people. And he loved his donut! I think he ate almost the whole thing! Sam also loved the donuts and apple cider. We took a short walk along the path and enjoyed the beginning of the fall weather. I know we will be back a few more times before the season is over. Some pictures here.