Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Pumpkins...

We skipped our annual trip to the pumpkin patch this year, however the kids still talked me into swinging by a local church which had hundreds of pumpkins for sale.  The stick-in pumpkin parts that Arnie P gave us have been such a hit with my family.  We're slowly losing pieces though - we'll need to look for more.

**Poor Zep was so sick during this picture.  He was scared to tell me he didn't feel well, because he was worried he wouldn't be able to go trick-or-treating the next night.  I felt so bad for him!


Daddy had a busy week of work right before Halloween but was able to squeeze in a little bit of time to carve a very quick pumpkin.  It wasn't his best pumpkin carving to date but the kids were still super excited!


October 30th, 2012

Friday, October 26, 2012

Sunday, October 21, 2012

All Saints Day

Our homeschool group hosts a really fun All Saints Party each year.  The kids get to dress up like a saint of their choosing and read off clues to everyone.  All the kids try to guess who the saints are.  After there are tons of games set up.  My kids absolutely love this party!

Here are our saints of 2012!  Can you guess who they are?  Scroll to the bottom to find out if you're right.

Bright Eyes' Clues

1.  God made a covenant with me.
2.  God told me to build an ark.
3.  I am from the Old Testament.





Zep's Clues

1.  I led two crusades.
2.  I was the King of France.
3.  I was known for my charity.





Bright Eyes was Noah.
Zep was St. Louis IX King of France

October 21st, 2012

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Missouri Dreaming!

Ever been on a vacation that was so perfect you never wanted it to end?  I kept trying to think of ways to convince hubby to stay just one more day.

We were able to spend 4 fun filled days in such a great city - St. Louis, Missouri!  Hubby and his friends always attend one Alabama football away game each year.  This year they chose the Bama vs. Mizzou game...which was to be played in Missouri...which also happens to be where hubby's sister lives.  It didn't take long for hubby's parents, hubby's oldest sister and kids, our kids and me to high-jack the boys football trip and turn it into an amazing family weekend.

My amazing sister-in-law had everything set up perfectly for us.  The sleeping arrangements were wonderful, all the meals were taken care of, and she even provided additional entertainment for the kids in the form of her amazing boyfriend.

From late nights up chatting to exploring around the city - what a wonderful vacation this was for us!  Thanks so much for hosting our crazy chaotic clan, Aunt Bear!  It was wonderful to spend time in your world.  We love you so very much and are so blessed to have had this time with you and the fam.  We can't wait until the next get together!

There are several posts to follow about each of our St. Louis adventures.  For now, I'll leave you with our view of the city as we were sadly heading home.

October 14th, 2012


Saturday, October 13, 2012

St. Louis Trip - Wolf Howl

I spent way too much time before our trip researching all the great attractions in the area.  During my searching, I came across the Endangered Wolf Center.  The Wolf Center is an organization that works to save wolves from extinction.  It's a huge facility in which they breed and try to reintroduce the wolves to the wild at some point.  I'm sure it would be a great place to go visit during the day!

However, I was captivated to read about an event that they do on weekend evenings called a Wolf Howl.  So, I reserved a spot for the boys and I.  We headed there on our own Saturday evening while hubby was at the Bama game.

It was just as cool as I thought it would be!  We arrived and they took us back to a campfire where a employee stood behind the fire and shared information about the wolves.  Hearing his interpretations of each of the wolf's howls was really funny.  He then told us a couple "not so scary" wolf stories.  From the campfire we walked a little way down a gravel path to where the wolves were caged.  Three of the employees surrounded the cage and began howling.  Sure enough withing 10 minutes or so all the wolves were howling right back.  The kids though it was pretty awesome!

The only downside to the event was I didn't think through bringing Lil' Bit out with us.  She's nursing, so she's stuck to me at all times.  Seeing that we were in the woods trying to be quiet to hear the wolves every little noise LB made sounded like it was over a loud speaker.  All the howling wolves and people scared her a lot.  We ended up having to walk back early.  That didn't stop Zep from howling along with the wolves as we were walking back.

The kids were also extremely concerned that they would have to miss the hot cocoa and cookies that were being served afterwards.  All was well though...they took theirs to go!

I would love to do this again someday - minus any little bitty ones.  The next time we'll also make it a point to go during the day so we can actually see the wolves!

October 13th, 2012

Cousins!

I'm too tired to blog anything else tonight, but I wanted to post this super cute pic of my niece and Sunshine.  They are too cute together.  I can't even begin to imagine all the fun these two are going to have together throughout their lives.

October 13th, 2012


St. Louis Trip - Purina Farms

For the last year Zep has been begging me for the opportunity to milk a cow.  You would think that would be an easy request to fulfill.  I had zero luck finding a place to take him.  So...you better believe when I saw the Purina Farms in Missouri had cow milking I signed us up right away!

The Farm is amazing!  They have a small barn where they keep lots of animals that the kids were able to interact with.  The little ones loved this!  The best part was the dog agility demonstration!  It is absolutely amazing to watch the trainers with these beautiful dogs.  

The kids had a great time - definitely a must do if in the St. Louis area!

October 13th, 2012


Friday, October 12, 2012

St. Louis Trip - The Zoo

A trip to St. Louis isn't complete without a trip to the zoo.  It might very well be the nicest zoo we've ever visited...and IT'S FREE!!  

We spent an entire day here just walking around through the exhibits.  Even after a full day we still had yet to see all the animals.  The hippos and gorillas are by far our favorite animals there! 

Such a fun day with our wonderful family!


October 12th, 2012

Thursday, October 11, 2012

St. Louis Trip - City Museum


Hands down ... the COOLEST place we've ever taken the kids!  Several people had told me about City Museum.  Basically what I got out of their explanations was that it was a playground made of recycled objects.  Oh my!  What an understatement!  What I wouldn't have given to be a kid and only 3 feet tall during our visit.  There really isn't a good way to describe this museum.  It really is a large playground made of recycled objects.  Only...it's so much more!  It's floors and floors of tunnels and hidden doors.  It's beautiful, obscure art.  And it's loads and loads of fun!

Lil' Bit gave me an excuse to sit out during several of the "way too high for mama" areas.  But all the kids found the courage to slide down the 10-story slide and climb to the top of the outdoor area.  I managed to only have a couple moments of complete panic watching them.

This day also included lunch at Bailey's Range.  I'm still having dreams about the burgers and fries there!  So, so yummy!

October 11th, 2012


Sunshine and Aunt Bear!

Sunshine adores her Aunt Bear!  She loves to look at the picture of hubby's family taken several years back, pointing at each person and saying everyone's name.  For the longest time the only sibling that she could remember was Bear.  "Aunt Bear is my best fwend!" she would say each time!

Our kids have been blessed with many aunts and uncles that have stayed a very active part of their lives.  This is so important to me as my own aunt and uncle were a huge part of my growing up.  My aunt is one of my very own "best fwends!"  What a special relationship to have!

October 11th, 2012