our long lost friends

it seems like forever since we played with some of our bestest friends (ok, maybe 3 weeks, but that's a long time). i was definately having my amy withdrawls!!
i worked with amy at whirlpool & we both became pregnant about the same time. low and behold, we both had boys and they have the best time hanging out. they are buddies, as ben says.

our friendship has grown as our children grow & i don't know what i would do without her as my friend. she is my sainity in times of turmoil - she is a rock. i thank god for her. our little girls, gracie & emily are about 3 months apart & get excited when they know we are all going to play. now that the boys are in preschool opposite days, it's harder to get together. but, we are finding the time.

we met them at the mall this evening. big hugs were everywhere. those kiddos really missed each other!

we ate a quick bite at the mall & then went for a shopping trip for costumes. miss emily is going to be a pretty cat & ethan a spooky spider.
since the kiddos were so good, we got to ride on the carousel.

miss emily checking out the crew behind her..



a bit dizzy after we got off, but we had a blast!!can't wait to play with you guys thursday night!

fall festival fun

we weathered the rain & went to the west side nut club fall festival today. such a fun week here in evansville. blocks & blocks of yummy food made by local non profit groups around town. the rain didn't dampen our kiddos spirits; as they were with darby, the coolest big cousin in the whole wide world.

they rode a few rides.. no lines today due to the rain, so that was nice.





played a few games..
came back with lots of inflatable junk.

the kiddos had such a healthy lunch. yeah, right. they started out good with corn on a stick. but then went for the pizza & cotton candy. such tame food for all the crazy things there (brain sandwhichs, chocolate covered bacon, everything under the sun battered & fried).


darby joined the bug club ate a chocolate covered cricket!!



on the way home, we all were soaked. ben was already talking about next time we go. hopefully, next time there is some sunshine.

flowers for me

anytime gracie spots something outside that resembles a flower, she picks it.
"here mommy," she yells with so much pride. here's my latest bouquet..
these are the most beautiful flowers to a momma.

going to the "big house"

damaw works in the "big house", as ben calls it. or the county courthouse.

we went to visit her & jody & friends the other day. the kiddos love going to visit, as they always get lots of goodies and hugs there.

up, up, up the stairs.
i used to play on these stairs as a little kid.

papaw worked at the courthouse for many, many years as a custodian. he took pride in making that place sparkle. every sunday, he & grandma would go in (on his day off) to buff all the floors & vacuum all the spiral staircases. i would often go with them & "help" & play on those steps for hours.


damaw has taken on a new role at the courthouse & we are very proud of her. i know you will do a great job mom & serve your county well! i love you.

smarshmallows

saturday evening was the perfect start of fall evening for a little bonfire & marshmallows out back.

getting that marshmallow on the stick requires some concentration..
there, got it!

initially, we had a roaring fire & needed the big stick for marshmallow toasting.

daddio can toast marshmallows to perfection.

gracie couldn't wait to eat hers up & found a new best bud in zaky the dog. i think zaky thought she was the easiest target.


once the fire died down, bem (as gracie says it) cleared the back area of leaves & pine needles. every time he'd throw in a batch of leaves he'd yell, "fire coming!!" & just crack himself up over the whole thing. we did have a talk about fire safety & how fire is not to play with & so on. i think ben has daddio's love of the fire though. i can only imagine what ben will have to tell the firefighters at his field trip to the fire station this week..

much better

the weekend brought smiling faces back on the kiddos. no more yuck around here (at least for now).

bleh!

poor miss gracie has been sick. yucky sick & in the night time mainly. i've been awakened for 3 nights to the lovely feeling of puke on me. yuck. poor thing would cry a bit & then say "dorry momma." when i'd get us & the bed all cleaned up, she'd say "dank you momma." such a sweetie. even remembering her manners in a time like this.

we went to the doctor yesterday & of course she acted just fine in there, smiling & saying hi to everyone. but, the doc gave her something for vomiting & an antibiotic. i'm hoping for a better night tonight & crossing my fingers no one else is infected in the household.

a belated birthday wish to my lovely aunt

happy belated birthday, aunt peggy. great big hugs to you from all of us.

we hope you get over that nasty flu & feel better real soon too. we love you bunches & bunches. when you are up for it, party at papaw's!

maybe our future homesite..

here's some pictures from daddio's trek on "the land" saturday. there's some pretty pretty views, as gracie would say.

a nice big lake


lots of room to roam



some woods


i really liked the looks of this creek. this spot may be the neighbor's land though.


lots of wildlife. he saw some deer and turkey while exploring in the woods. i don't know if i'm ready for all the bugs.

fingers crossed we can get it...

my sweet dinosaur

ben changed his mind from being a samuri guy to just having to be a t-rex for halloween. at a consignment sale this weekend, i found him the perfect costume. he was super eggsited (excited in benglish) to put it on & scare his daddy with it. he was too fast for me to take a picture. but little sis gladly modeled it, dirty face & all.