Fall Fun and Festivities

Fall is such a fun time of year. We miss the brilliant color changes of thewest but we will take what we can get here in

Texas.This year we have had a lot of rain, but it has still been enjoyable. Eliza hadtwo days off of school recently so we took advantage of them.

One of our favorite

places is the Dallas Arboretum and their traditional Autumn Festival. It is a

pumpkin paradise. The kids

(especially little Josh)

enjoyed climbing all over the masses of pumpkins. Eliza's favorite part was getting her face

painted, and Ben

liked eating McDonald's Happy

Meals on the picnic tables. Mom was just happy to have a day outside with all three kids.

Our next favorite Fall tradition is the Texas State Fair. Dave took the day off so we could all go. We rode the "green line" train to the fair park and spend the day enjoying the sites, tastes, and rides of the fair. Ben

won a little trophy in the "Pee Wee Stampede Rodeo" for cattle roping. (It was really just a barrel of hay with horns on it that he had to tip over). Eliza enjoyed picking out a treasure at one of the booths. Josh loved feeding the animals (goats, lamas, long-horn cattle, you name it!) in the petting zoo. We all ate a yummy corny dog and some Borden's chocolate milk. Unfortunately towards the end it started to rain, and Josh got into a nasty pile of fire ants, but all-in-all it was a good day!

Remembering the 80's

Dave and I were recently invited to a "Totally Awesome 80's" party by some friends in our ward.

It was lots of fun. Everyone was asked to dress up so Dave and I did our best. (Eliza even got in on the fun even though she had to stay home with the babysitter.) The best part was seeing everyone's take on the 80's. We had everyone represented from the "Material Girls" to the "Breakfast Club" to the "punk rock crew". The music was totally rad! It was a night of lots of laughs and good reminiscing.

On the Move!

Benjamin and Eliza enjoy riding their bikes and both are getting the hang of it. Joshua is cruising around with his little walker though he still prefers to use all fours. It is faster when trying to keep up with the big kids!

MILESTONES!

Eliza started kindergarten this year. She was excited and a little nervous. She likes her teacher and is meeting lots of new friends in her class. Wearing uniforms makes all the kids look so nice each morning.
Two days later Eliza celebrated her 6th birthday. Mom, Ben, and Josh took chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles to her class. She got to wear a special birthday vest and her class made her birthday cards.
Along with Ben, Eliza got a new bike for her birthday. She was most excited about the Barbie helmet and knee pads. She also really enjoyed her new princess Polly Pocket from Grammie and Poppa!

Happy Birthday, Ben!

Our little guy is three years old!! Benjamin keeps our family smiling. He is a bundle of boy, but oh! so sweet and cute. He loves trains, and really wanted a Thomas bike this year for his birthday. He was excited to get a lot more than just that! Thank you family!

Teeth!! or should I say Tooth!

Joshua is getting his first teeth. The two bottom ones.
I, unfortunately, had to have one of mine taken out!
(Don't worry I plan to put one back in!)
Keep Smiling!

April Showers!

This is a little out of order, but I found these pictures and it brought a smile. Texas rainstorms are wonderful. When it rains it is a total downpour in a little bit of time, so there is always a lot of water afterwards to splash and have fun in. This was one of those times that I allowed childhood and fun to override reason! It was a good day!!!