Happy Halloween!

I desperately tried to get out of work early today.  The goal was to grab a quick dinner, get the kids ready in their costumes (while it was still light out), take some pictures and then leisurely walk around the neighborhood with the boys and get some scrumptious candy.  Hmmmmm.  Nothing ever works out as planned at this house that is for sure.  I got out of work late, I sat in line at a drive thru for 30+ minutes, they forgot my cheese sauce (which is a HUGE no no in my book), we didn't get costumes on until well past dark and then to top it off I yelled at the kids for not cooperating for pictures yet again.  Tonight I lost all of my patience, every last ounce that was left in my body.  There I said it, I suck.  But then we started on our embark around the neighborhood where Nolan took way too  long at each house because he had to have a 30 minute conversation with everyone and Bennett watched in amazement from his stroller and I realized (too late) that it wasn't about the perfect picture tonight.  It was about the kids having fun, and I believe that was accomplished.  So Halloween at this house was a success.  Could we have survived without my little temper tantrum…perhaps.  But what fun would that be?

Pumpkin Patch

Chad joined us for Friday Fun Day this past week and we headed off to the pumpkin patch.  Pictures might look similar to last year…just bigger kids.  Although this year we did manage to pick up the Lord family for our little adventure.  I always welcome more photo subjects guests!  It was a pretty chilly day so our pumpkin patch visit was a little short lived, but I'm happy to report both boys loved it!

First stop on the photo tour…creepy scarecrows.  Nolan is terrified of Chuck E. Cheese but these things are okay?  I will NEVER understand his logic.

Then a little hay fight.  Connor was not so sure about the wrong doings of my little rascals.  He'll learn that I will let them do anything for a good picture opportunity.  Bring on the mud puddles.

Next we moved on to the corn boxes.  I mean who doesn't love dipping their toes in some corn kernels... Mr. B certainly did.  I still have yet to determine which scenario is more gross.  Bennett taking his shoes AND socks off in the germ infested mess, Nolan sticking his entire face in the germ infested mess or Connor attempting to eat the germ infested mess!  I have NO IDEA why/how kids get that nasty hand/foot/mouth disease!

A little attempt at some tractor fun…

And then off for a train ride…

And what Pumpkin Patch trip would be complete without an attempt at a family photo…maybe next year!

Connor's Big Bash

Well today is Connor's actual birthday so it only seems fitting that I blog about his party today.  And what a party it was!  I'm a weeeee bit jealous of Connor's birthday because deep down I've always wanted to throw a big Halloween bash because I feel like there is so much you can do with it.  Well, lucky for me now I just get to attend a party with all the great stuff and I don't actually have to do any of it.  SCORE!  I did not bring my "A Game" as far as photography goes on this particular day because instead I brought an extra child with me!  We were lucky enough to have Ms.Violet for the day while her parents went to a wedding.  I may or may not have given Julia stipulations when I agreed to take Violet for the day.  The stipulation being, I get to pick her costume.  I know I know, sounds harsh but when I have something in my head there is no stopping me.  So before we left I attempted to get some pictures of Popeye and Olive Oil (attempted being the key word in that sentence).  They look thrilled yes?

Once we got to the party Jessie wanted a picture of all the kids in their costumes.  Do you think this is what she had in mind?  Please note that while Yes I have the child on the bench screaming, I also have Captain America there who is actually smiling and looking at the camera.  And let's be honest, every good costume picture has a child screaming in it…can I get an Amen?

After the picture we moved onto the hayride which was a guided tour around the court by Jessie's dad.  Adorable, yep.  Bennett couldn't decide if he wanted to ride or just trail behind, so he did both.

Here are just some pictures of parents giving their kids beer way too young.  Teaching them "responsible drinking" early I guess?  Though I'm not sure Curtis would be the best teacher of that lesson.  

The kids then did a little trick-or-treating that Jessie had set up in the court.  I can't lie I missed all of this activity because I was again ATTEMPTING to get a picture of Popeye and Olive Oil.  You'll see that attempt went about just as well as the first…are we sensing a pattern? (if they only knew this was not going to be our last attempt…hahahahaha)

Then we moved on to the main event, the cake smash.  Even Violet decided she needed in on the action (did I mention we were in charge of her on this fine day…don't tell her Dad).

We finished the party off with a little Bobbing for Apples fun.  The kids thought it was pretty funny, though they weren't so great at actually getting the apples.  I think I saw some little hands finally go in for the grab instead of their mouths.  Resourceful I tell you what!

So like I said, I wasn't exactly on my game with pictures for this party.  But something tells me Jessie will be JUST FINE.  Look at this crew (yes she hired a photographer and a videographer, she's crazy…but at least she admits it).

Field Trip

Last week I got to join Nolan on his first ever field trip.  He was pretty excited about the field trip, but he wasn't as excited that I was going instead of his Dad.  One day that boy will learn that I am WAY cooler than his Dad, until then I will tell him lies embellishments like Dads aren't allowed on the field trip only Moms (totally would have worked until the ONE freaking Dad showed up).  So we headed to the Pumpkin Patch where I finally got to hang out with Nolan and his best bud.  I had heard a lot about this little guy and had met him once before but this was the first time I really experienced them together and it was not a disappointment.  They are a riot together, totally feed off one another and it's awesome.  We had Parent Teacher conferences the night before and we brought up to the teacher that we were a little concerned about Nolan and how well he socialized with other kids because at times he can be shy around other kids.  The teacher looked at us like we were crazy and now I understood why.  Jacob and Nolan are certainly the life of the party in this preschool class and THAT my friends he definitely gets from his Momma.  You are welcome Nolan.

  

Perks

There are certain perks associated with my hobby of photography.  It often means I get to catch up with old friends that I haven't seen in a while and this past weekend I got to do just that.  I met up with Domski (sorry, I'll always call you that...married or not), her hubby and her ADORABLE little girl Macie.  Macie just turned one and it was time to commemorate the occasion with a few (hundred) pictures.  I'm so glad Domski called me to take the pictures, it was great to see her and get a glimpse of her "new" life.  A far cry from the Sigma House,  though I think she still secretively sports her yellow pledge jacket every now and again for old times sake! Am I right?  Don't be ashamed, I still wear my bid day shirt around town...holes and all!  Better keep that jacket in mint condition, Macie might follow in your footsteps one day…YIKES!