A moment that warms this Mama's heart

Maybe they'll like each other after all:)

My firefighter and monkey

We had some visitors today...Amelia Earheart, a firefighter who takes his job seriously and a silly monkey.

Double Trouble

Breven was tearing into the few pieces of chocolate that Lori gave him, even before we got out the door.

I think they're ready for some fun

Breven was so funny, I think he found his groove this year. When he found out that every house was giving him candy and all he had to do was say "Trick or Treat" and "thank you" (which sounded identical when he said them, by the way), he was all in. He was shoving N out of the way and not shy at all about helping himself to their candy bowls.

Good thing this only happens once a year!

And of course, the night wouldn't be complete until all the candy was inspected and sorted. I was so proud of N. He was sharing his candy with everyone around him. Looks like somethings finally sinking in!!

Note from the Editor: What I'm choosing not to show you is the melt down that occured after these pictures and during dinner. I remember telling the boys to calm down at one point and then wondering what I was thinking. 2 boys hopped up on sugar are definitely not going to calm down. Needless to say, they both had an early bedtime!

Yo ho ho...

I didn't realize I lived on a boat, but apparently, with all the pirates I've been spying around my house lately, I must.

Sweater vest

What happens when you put a toddler down for a nap in a sweater vest?

Fall in full force

Wanna talk a walk in the woods with us?

The weather's perfect and the leaves are gorgeous. Come on, Miss Lori, let's go explore!

Looks like Noah found a great walking stick

But you know what? It just wasn't big enough...go big or go home, right? Breven, where's your stick?

Running races. Looks like Breven's in the lead.

Like father, like son.

We took a long walk through a park and ended by having a picnic. What a great way to end the summer and really dive into fall. Okay, I admit, summer's been over for a while. But I'm having a really hard time letting go, can you blame me?!?

Thoughts on hats

Noah shared his hat with me, and I thought it actually fit pretty well. It also brought some interesting thoughts to mind. Let me share them with you...

Did you know how many games you can play while wearing a hat?

-Peek a boo

-Where did Breven go?

-Hide and seek

Okay, so its really not that many. But those are still three really fun games to play!

The hat has proved helpful in avoiding the camera Mama's always pointing at me.

Rollin' with my choo choos.

This crazy guy over here?!? Yeah, I still don't know about him. I let you know my verdict later.

Yeah, wearing a hat definitely doesn't help you think any better

But it does make me awfully cute, don't you think?!

This boy is pure trouble

Something about that grin makes a Mama wonder what's really going on...

Alright...who gave Breven the car keys again? Noah, really? Helping your brother? This is one time I would have been okay with you going against the flow on.

Apple picking

Hmmm...what to show you first.

Want an apple for the adventure?

I think I want that one, waaaay up there.

the only sad part of our adventure...all the yummy apples going to waste on the ground.

We love our Miss Lori!

Breven wanted to get in on the action and started finding apples at just his level

Hey, Noah. You really do look like a farmer back there!

Watch us grow

Okay...we're starting to feel more like fall now.

My protectors

You know, on the days I'm feeling just a bit out of sorts, its nice to know I've got protectors looking out for me:

Captain Farmer McQueen

And big Cheeks Breven.

Although, you might want to watch out if you ever come to visit...he's armed and dangerous!

Captain Farmer McQueen, can you demonstrate how your sword works? Who knew we had weapons all around us?!?

Observing Nature

Hey, Bweven. Check out this furry thing. Mama? What is it?

Ohh, look! Its a caterpiller

And for my dad...these pics of flowers are just for you!

We planted a morning glory plant around our mailbox and I just love how long they blossom!

And I think my impatiens are on steroids! But I love 'em

A letter to our son, Bruiser

Dear Breven,

Someday you're going to look at this picture and wonder why your parents didn't take better care of you. (and thankfully, the picture looks better than real life)

Its not that we don't love you because we really, really do. And its not that we don't look out for you. (trust me, there are days we think you should be wearing a helmet)

But there comes a time when you need to gain your land legs back and watch where those cute little feet are moving. Those pillars you ran into at the airport didn't just appear out of thin air. And those hallway walls aren't really closing in on you. It would add minutes to my life if just once, you would cry over a stubbed toe or pinched finger. Rather, every time I hear you howl, I know I'm going to find you rubbing your head and pointing to the offender, whether that be the wall, a table, a dresser, the bed...

Also, please take into further review that you would make life with your brother just a little easier if you didn't derail every train leaving the station after he sets it all up...

Your concerned and exhausted parents

Your daily smile...

I love you!!

B's words

Breven is finally starting to talk and let us know what's going on in his little head. He's gotten very good at communicating by nodding or shaking his head, but that doesn't always answer the question:) Thought it might be fun to record some of his earliest words.

He's saying more all the time. He definitely gives words a try if he's in the right mood, but these are the ones most clear.

gah tah ker - gas tanker

jhet ski - jet ski

mah mee -mommy

dah dee - daddy

buh bye - bye bye

bah - bus

truh - truck

cah - car

raahhh - lion

cooh key - cookie

cah ker - cracker

eeez - please

keh coo - thank you

doggie

And strangely enough, he will not even try to say Noah's name. If you ask him to say Woawah, he'll repeat it, but not Noah...wonder why:)

Labor Day tradition

2003 (Thanksgiving really, but it started the tradition. Olive, Flip Flop and Micah came out)

2004 (The year of our crazy boat ride. Steph, Dustin, Jeremy, Micah and Flip Flop all came out and we joined a random couple for a day out on their boat.)

2006 (Flip Flop, Micah and J all came out...

I was pregnant with Noah and after 4 days of golf and baseball and sports of all kinds, I made the next day an Emily day and they all went to get pedicures with me. Lets just say that walking into a salon with 4 boys trailing behind me was a pretty awesome experience:):):))

2007 (Our biggest year: Steph, Dustin, J, Mary, Shannon, Micah, Chicku and Flip Flop all came out. Our house was filled to the brim!-and I loved every minute)

2008 (Flip Flop, Micah and Chicku)

2009 (Flip came and spent some quality time with us)

2010 (Flip Flop, Micah, Chicku and Esha all came out to have fun with us)

Every year has been so different, and yet still so very fun. We're looking forward to next Labor Day and what it will bring.