Happy Halloween, From our "No Place Like Home" to Yours!

What fun day and night! I got to go to both boys' classes today to take pictures of their Halloween activities.

When I found out that I was going to have a girl after two boys, I remember thinking, "One of these days, we can do a Wizard of Oz theme for Halloween!" This year was finally the year. Everyone was very excited about their costumes. Matthew was initially skeptical. "I don't want to wear a FUNNEL on my head!" Once I told him that I would smear silver makeup on him and if he went along with this, he could be whatever he wanted next year even if it involved blood, he came around! He thought he looked hilarious, and he did! Mary Beth is now insisting that everyone call her "Dorsy" (remember she can't say her /th/ sound). Thomas, literal as always, really believed last night that he could scare crows!

Anyway, after school, it was time to get them costumed up and ready for Trunk or Treat at church. It was a beautiful night, and we all enjoyed eating hotdogs and watching the kids have a blast! I love the picture of Mary Beth eating cotton candy with a full plate of real food ready to eat! Only on Halloween, right? After that, we made a short stop to take pictures with Matthew's teacher and then it was off to our neighborhood for some finaly trick or treating. We enjoyed having Lauren, Josh, and James trick or treat with us as well. James was Toto, but trying to take a picture of all four of them proved to be too much! I love Halloween!

I love this picture of Matthew! He dunked several of our ministers numerous times!

My Pumpkins in the pumpkins

We finally got our annual pumpkin pictures today. I must say that this is one of the first years that I have left pumpkin pictures without sweating! It is nice to be able to take pictures of three kids without worrying about bad moods and running off! Happy Fall, Ya'll!

What a week!

Wow! I feel like I have been running a marathon this week! Both the boys had their end of the season soccer parties this week. I am laying off the pizza for a while....

Tuesday, I worked during Mother's Day Out and then drove Mary Beth half way to Conroe to meet my mother-in-law. Mimi and Big Mack wanted a little time with her and it was so helpful because I am leaving tonight for a professional conference in Dallas. Mary Beth always loves getting to spend some time with her girl cousins and grandparents.

Bryon is meeting my in laws in College Station on Friday to pick up our little girl. They are all going to spend the night at Bryon's Aunt Bernie's farm on Friday night before heading home on Saturday. It was strange but also fun with just the boys the past two days. Bryon and I took them on a Starbucks date last night after church. They are getting so big and so much fun!

Before heading out of town tonight, I am dropping to boys off with Bryon for basketball tryouts! One sport to the next...

I am looking forward to a few days in Dallas. I get to stay with my sister-in-law and brother. I am hoping to get some shopping done, eat at some good restaurants, and learn a little to help my patients!

See ya Monday!

Girly Girl

After church today, my mother asked Mary Beth to come to her house and play with the new doll house that Mom bought. When we got home, we asked Mary Beth to go get dressed for Nana's house. This is what she came up with on her own: garter in the hair, Barbie wedding dress, pink tutu underneath the dress, tights, Princess slippers, and a feather boa!

Before I go one, I must say that Mary Beth has only one speech mispronounciation. She pronounces "th" as "z". This makes her sound very French. i.e. "Mommy, the boys are bozzering me!"

Anyway, we told her that her outfit might not be the best for going to Nana's. She then sighed and said, "OK, I will take my feazzers (feathers) off!"

She had a great time at Nana's even without her feazzers!

Butterfly Hunter

With the mild weather we have been having, my flowers are blooming strong and we have a gazillion butterflies in the garden at any one time!

Mary Beth and I love to sit out and watch them. If we are quiet and still, we can hear their wings flapping. Of course, my spunky 3 year old doesn't stay quiet and still for long, so she runs to the plants and does her best to catch butterflies!

She has become quite successful in her butterfly catching abilities! She grabs them, we count to three, and she lets them go. A little while ago, I found her watching TV with one in her hand. Maybe we need to go over the whole catch and release philosophy again! The butterflies are let go and seem no worse for the wear. I love the smile on her face during her "hunt" and how she loves the "BEEEEEEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES!"

Bryon

Karen tagged me!

Who is your man? Bryon

How long have you been together? 12 1/2 years. We have known each other for over 14 years.
How long dated? 14 months from first date to wedding day.
How old is your man? Bryon turned 36 in April.
Who eats more? It's a toss up. Probably me!
Who said "I love you" first? Bryon
Who is taller? Bryon is about 6'3", I am 5'6" .
Who sings better? I do. Bryon and I both get a good laugh every now and then at his singing abilities!
Who is smarter? We are smart in different ways.
Whose temper is worse? Me
Who does the laundry? Bryon
Who takes out the garbage? Bryon
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do.
Who pays the bills? Me
Who is better with the computer? Definitely me. Bryon just started really using email this year!
Who mows the lawn? Bryon
Who cooks dinner? me
Who drives when you are together? It's a toss up. Bryon usually likes me driving on weekends.
Who pays when you go out? Bryon
Who is most stubborn? I say Bryon, he says me! ;)
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? me
Whose parents do you see the most? Mine. We live in the same town. We used to see Bryon's more than we do now thanks to weekend sports for the kids!

Who kissed who first? Bryon did after going to a Texas Rangers game.
Who asked who out? Bryon asked me to go to a local cafeteria with his best friend, Kevin after church one Sunday. Then he asked me out for a real date one week later.
Who proposed? Bryon did on November 4, 1995
Who is more sensitive? Neither one of us is too sensitive.
Who has more friends? I do. He doesn't keep up with old friends as much as I do. Plus he works hard and wants to hang out with the kids and me during his free time.
Who has more siblings? We both have a younger sister and a younger brother.

Who wears the pants in the family? I think we are a pretty good team and share the pant wearing responsibility!

New Post!

This one is for my mother who has been threatening me if I didn't post something!

Since school started, we have really hit the ground running. Last Wednesday was the first day since the beginning of school that I stayed home all day! Sort of throws out the whole notion of a stay at home mom!

Here is what I have been up to:

*Lots of fun room mother things. Taking pictures of all the kids, grandparents day project, teddy bear picnic, and getting ready for our fall festival. Boy was that an undertaking! I am happy to report that it was a blast and it is over until next year!

*Working during MDO. I only had a few patients this summer, but have gradually added a few more since school started. I am so thankful that I am able to fit it all in when ME is in school!

*Ladies class. I stopped Ladies Class when I had Mary Beth, but just started it up again this year. We are doing The Patriarch by Beth Moore.

*Reading a ton. We are searching for a great book to do for book club and I have read a lot in preparation for that. The last few I read were duds. I have four on my night stand ready for reading!

*Soccer, soccer, soccer. This is the story of our Saturdays. This weekend, Lauren was able to come for the first time, as well and Aunt Jilinda and Uncle Michael. Both boys scored two goals which is always fun to watch. While I will be sad to say goodbye to soccer at the end of the month, I will be happy to say hello to relaxing Saturdays again!

What the kids have been up to:

*Matthew

2nd grade had been wonderful for Matthew. He has been such a joy to be with! I love his teacher and love that he is starting to have more challenging work to do. He is also enjoying piano with his new teacher. I don't have to beg him to practice anymore!

*Thomas

Thomas is loving being a kindergartner. He has such a sweet teacher and adorable kids in his class. Last week, he got his first sickness of the year. They are exposed to so many new and different germs in kindergarten! He had bronchitis last week and stayed home with ME and me for 1 1/2 days. It was nice having him home again during the day even for a short time!

*Mary Beth

Mary Beth started ballet and tap this year. What a fun thing to witness! Last week, she learned how to stand on her toes. She also has a new best friend whom she adores. She and Whitney have been in church class with each other since they were babies, but only recently have they become inseparable. They get to see each other every day of the week for some event or another and her mother and I have enjoyed watching the budding friendship! They love seeing each other and usually walk shoulder to shoulder everywhere they go.

Well, I think that about sums up the last few weeks!