And the walls came tumblin' down...

So if you have a boy (or girl with a penchant for building like myself), this will be useful information for you. I do believe at some time in your life you will feel the need to nurture their desire for building various things out of legos. Just understand that they come in boxes and you are supposed to use the provided instructions to create a specific thing. Well, one day the thing will be destroyed by a younger "naughty baby" (as said by Colton) and you will find yourself in my situation. Luckily Colton has a mom that gets enjoyment out of putting things together. (Yes, I get a sick thrill on Christmas morning when there is some assembly required. Especially if I get to use tools!) Anyway, some day the aforementioned instructions will get lost or thrown away. Thankfully the lego people have realized that I am out here and have provided all instructions for any lego set made since 2002. Walls can be rebuilt. Tears can be wiped away. Life can go on and Indiana Jones can go after the Ark of Covenant as many times as my sons' little heart desires.
Thank you lego people.

Yeah!

Hooray!!!

We are flying out on Thursday to see these three munchkins!!! Colton is very excited! Hope to blog while we are gone, if not, have a great Thanksgiving!

Crispy crunchy leaves

I really love this time of year. Especially the crispy, crunchy leaves that you walk through. Christopher and I visited our friends that have a fabulous leaf-dropping tree. ( Our tree that usually produces a great pile of leaves didn't deliver this year. Possibly since the garage is gone there was nothing to keep them contained.)

This time of year, for those who have not forgotten there is a holiday between Halloween and Christmas, should not be brushed past without really enjoying what it has to offer. Crisp weather that lets you pull out all of your comfy, sweaters and sweats. The little bit of frost on windows that allows you to "finger paint" frosty smiley faces on the glass. The comfort food of this time of year; chicken and dumplings, chili, and yummy baked goods! I am just glad that we got a little bit of fall before the snow really starts to pile up! (Then you'll get to hear why I love the snow! :) )

Anyway, we had to stop by LB's and get some good fall pictures. Sometimes just the thought of scrapbooking a page can inspire an event (or the guilt that I feel like I had more time to do "simple" stuff with Colton). Whichever the case, we had a great time with our little friends. Here's the pictures:

Christopher and Benjamin

Benjamin with that I've-got-a-handful-of-leaves-

and-my-sister-is-behind-me kind of looks!

Leaves are NOT tasty

The clean-up crew

Baby Levi all bundled up

Thankful for my kids

Colton

Christopher
(I can't keep socks on his feet, but he
loves to put them on his hands... go figure.)

So if you haven't noticed, I am trying to blog everyday about something that I am thankful for. Following in the footsteps of my friend, Amber. Although I am not doing a Gratitude Journal, I will try as hard as I can to do a blog everyday. So today I am taking the easiest... my kids.

These two make me smile, cry, laugh, scream, energized, exhausted, but most of all, they have shown me a world that I sacrifice all, but am rewarded abundantly. I can't imagine how selfish and uneventful my life would be without them. I love them beyond my own understanding and I am privileged that I was chosen to be their mom. Thank you God.

Vote Now

I'm proud to be an American.
I am thankful we live in this country.
I was born on Flag Day, June 14.
I served in the Air Force.
I still get choked up during the National Anthem.
I scowl at people that talk or don't take off their hats during the National Anthem (though it is their right).
I am thankful that we can openly pray.
I am thankful that everyone can voice their opinions, even when it doesn't fall in line with mine.
I am thankful that we get to vote.

And I will instill this in my children.

Halloween Pics

After all the excitement, this is the best I could get out of them. Colton got a fit of the giggles.

Note to self: Next year make them take pictures before you let them get sugared up.

So this year I feel like I was kind of a slacker on the costumes! Colton was Obi Wan Kenobi and Christopher was a Jedi (recycled last year's Yoda costume). Colton said that Trick or Treating was "required" on Halloween, so we did a quick lap around our neighborhood and then went down to the Harvest Party at the Trades & Industry building on the fairgrounds. Here's the pics:

Colton did a great job trying to be patient while Christopher would keep up.

By the second house, he learned very quickly that when they open the door, yell "Eeiighhh!"
(or something like that), hold out your little bag, they put goodies in it!

Colton, er, Obi Wan coming off the slide at the Harvest Party.

Christopher kicking a soccer ball into the goal at the Harvest Party.

Colton and his light saber... very serious.

Christopher-time to call it a night.

Colton spinning with his light saber and "kazooing" the
Star Wars theme song on his kazoo he won from the party.

How could we end a night like this without an epic battle?

Did Christopher win, or is this a last attempt to stay awake?

Notice kazoo still in mouth, now humming the Darth Vadar song...

Fav YouTube videos

Jesse's is "Pinky the Cat"




Mine is "Evolution of Dance"



Colton's is "Charlie Bit my Finger"



Christopher's is "Andy McKee's Drifting" (It just hypnotizes him! and Jesse, too!)