And the fall fun just keeps going, and going . . .

I think I'm finally getting caught up here!

On October 27th, I took the kids to Black Island Farms for their fall-themed "agritainment" and had a ton of fun. We got there just after 5:30 and the weather was about 70 degrees, perfect for hay slides!

Christian got pretty good at climbing up the haybales with the web-like rope ladder on the back of the slides, although I did need to help him up this monster:

Then the kids rode this "train" which is pulled by a big tractor and goes through the corn field. Throughout the night, Christian rode this about 87, 498 times. Every time it came back around and the ride was at an end, he would shout, "Again, again!" and, because it wasn't very busy, I just let him go :D

The corn sandbox was a giant hit again, this year. I don't know how long they played in it, but it seemed like forever standing there for me!

You can almost make out the kids in this jack-o-lantern bounce house picture. I spent another eternity waiting outside of this.

.

.

.

Finally, Joy and her family arrived. Sierra loved doing everything with her cousin, Faith. The kids played in this corn husk tunnel, and Faith went through the kiddie corn maze with Joy's family while I took Christian on the train again several more times.

We did more slides together and Joy even took baby Lily down this one!

The kids ate their dinner of hot dogs ($3!!!) sitting in front of the bonfire, which was nice and warm even though the temperature had plummetted. We also enjoyed pig races, a magic show, and seeing the animals. Christian even got to feed a calf some crushed corn out of his hand, which is still spoken of by him with tremendous excitement to this day. Can't wait 'til we get to go again next year!

On the 29th we carved our pumpkins. Christian LOVED the pumpkin guts and Faith designed and carved one of hers entirely by herself.

Tony was even home early that evening and got to help out. The only bad thing was that I burnt half of the pumpkin seeds by putting them on too low of a rack in my oven. Darn! We love those things!

October 30th was Faith's class Halloween party. I somehow ended up in charge of it and had the kids make some accordian folded bats and tissue paper ghosts at my center. I was a little surprised to find out that it had to end 20 minutes early becase one of the student's grandpa had flown in from Hawaii and was a professional ukulele player, but it just added to the fun.

Here is the proof: a happy class at the end!

In additon to the crafts, we had two games, story time, and a treat where they had donuts and root beer while they waited to get their faces painted. Mrs. Crow, who did the painting, was an amazing artist!!

That evening, there was a very unfortunate accident. Gladly, Christian didn't smash his face up, as it appears in this photo. He found the red Halloween lip gloss and expertly applied some, then stuck his bottom lip out in a pout when I took said lip gloss away. Luckily, he was left with no visable scars ;)

Halloween morning, we went to a wonderful party at Ann's house. Somehow I managed to FORGET MY CAMERA *gasp*. You'll have to check us out on Natalie's blog, and you better hurry because she's going private soon. If you love to stalk her blog even though you don't know her, and only follow the link to it from my blog, just comment here with your email and Nat would be happy to invite you!

.

We went straight from the party to Chuck-a-rama for lunch with mom & dad, my grandma, my aunt, uncle and Sarah's family. Christian, of course, made my dad change tables and sit by him.

.

That night, we went out trick-or-treating in our neighborhood just after 6 p.m. It was warm (over 70 I think) and Christian was absolutely enamored by the idea of everyone giving him candy. I was surprised that they tired out so quickly, Faith requested that we return home and go on over to Braeggers at about a quarter to seven! I am glad that they didn't get too much candy, though, since they'd already gotten so many Halloween treats that month.

.

It's hard to see in the picture, but my mom made Faith the most darling treat bag. It's black with feather boa trim around the top, and had a ribbon with some cut pins on it, including a light up skull. A diva bag for a diva girl!

We headed over to Tony's parents and on the way, Chirstian fell asleep. Tony just carried him up to Tammy's bed and he slept the rest of the night away, worn out little guy! We enjoyed some homemade chili, cornbread and cupcakes, and then Tony took Faith out trick-or-treating around their nighborhood for a little while.

.

I was supposed to make Crumpet a bat costume (according to Faith), but it never came to be. Instead, I saw this bat headband which even lights up and thought we could attach it somehow to her harness. That never really came to be, either, so Faith wanted to at least get this picture with Crumpet "wearing" it. Maybe she'll be costumed out next year!

The next day, November 1st, was Faith's birthday!! We took our little seven-year-old to Lagoon at her request. We didn't remember Lagoon ever being open after Halloween before, so Faith felt pretty special this year.

The kids played in the water,

.

.

rode lots of rides, and loved that there were no lines.

.

.

.

I love this picture of them waiting, only for the kids from the last ride to exit. Faith is so serious and Christian is climbing the bars and being crazy. It truly captures who they are!

The weather was perfect and warm, and the trees in kiddie land were dressed up in their birthday party best.

.

The lines were so short that we were finally able to do "Spook-A-Boo" where the kids get to go through little rooms with different themes (set up where the baby bumper car ride usually is) and collect candy in a bag. Christian was TOTALLY into these gummy-candy fangs and just asked for more just yesterday. Next year I'll have to find them and stock up =-)

Tony got this pic as we were speeding past on the merry-go-round. Faith is obviously not prepared for a picture and I'm pointing out Tony to Christian.

.

.

We topped off the day with a visit to Krispy Kreme. Faith is seen here wiggling her loose tooth which she lost two days later. Yesterday (three days after that) she lost the one on the other side! I'll have to get a pic of her holey smile.

On Sunday, we celebrated with the family. First we went to Braegger's. Wow, check out the cute kitty stuff that Tammy got to match Faith's "Littlest Pet Shop" cake.

.

By the way, how come there weren't any comments from offended people for the blog about Christian's birthday after I made an inappropriate remark about Tammy and party supplies? Not even Tammy? Is no one reading the commentary that I write? Too distracted by my adorable children to notice? Everyone who knows me just expects such inappropriateness, and maybe even thinks that I actually show some restraint on this thing? Something to ponder ;)

.

Faith was so sweet that she even let her brother help her open the presents.

Some things she got: giant pony coloring book, Hello Kitty wallet with a WalMart gift card inside, a set of Pony in my Pocket, satiny pj's, earrings, a little horse box, and a High School Musical shirt.

.

.

.

.

At my mom and dad's, she opened: dog trainer Barbie, an alarm clock, a puzzle, a cool ant farm, a Bobby Jack sweat outfit, and a Hannah Montana blue hair streaker stick.

Here she is with her pajamas and clock that night at bedtime. My mom actually glued on gems to the clock to "bling it out."

She had a great two-day birthday celebration!!

Check out this awsome treat bowl that I got the other day. I saw one at mom & dad's trunk-or-treat and I just had to have it! Christian was scared of it at first:



but now he loves the thing! I've always liked the ones where the hand bends down to grab you when you put your hand in, but with this one the hand is entirely hidden in the wall of the bowl. Plus it has the red, light-up eyes!

Turtle pumpkin pie

Several weeks ago, Tammy made this delicious, ultra rich pie. Several friends wanted the recipe when I told them about it, so I thought I would post it:

Turtle Pumpkin Pie (from the Kraft foods website)

Prep Time:15 min
Total Time:1 hr 15 min
Makes:10 servings

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. caramel ice cream topping, divided
1 HONEY MAID Graham Pie Crust
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. PLANTERS Pecan Pieces, divided
1 cup cold milk
2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

POUR 1/4 cup caramel topping into crust; sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans.
BEAT milk, pudding mixes, pumpkin and spices with whisk until blended. Stir in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP. Spread into crust.
REFRIGERATE at least 1 hour. Top with remaining COOL WHIP, caramel topping and pecans just before serving.

More October Fun

Friday, October 17th we went with Zach, Tammy & Lana to Gardener Village. Tammy took us to lunch where we enjoyed their famous fried green tomatoes before our entree. Man, those things are tasty!
.


.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We shopped around, enjoyed the beautiful day, and checked out all the Halloween decor.



I always enjoy a trip to Gardener Village, but it is especially gorgeous in the fall.

Christian saw the face painting booth before we went in to eat lunch, and as soon as his tummy was full he went into full on obsession mode. He wanted "paint", "cheek", and "spider" RIGHT NOW.


.
We rushed right over after lunch and he got his wish. Faith got a pumpkin, and Zach got a spider like Christian's.

The kids, of course, loved the candy shop (even though it was PACKED and about 100 degrees), but their favorite thing was the petting zoo and pony rides.




Unfortunately, we had to wait in a long line while Buddy was tired and grouchy, but it was worth it!
He LOVED the ride even though it's hard to tell from this picture. The only bad part was when he shouted, "Again, AGAIN!!!" when I went to lift him off the saddle, and then thew a ginormous screaming tantrum the entire three mile hike to where our car was parked.





On Saturday, Faith had her last fall soccer game and she got a turn being goalie. She sure has loved playing, and is sad to not have practice and games during the winter.
.




.
.
Christian was obviously happy to see her play.




Faith made this cool haunted house in school, then came home and glued on a lawn with a candy corn fence. The next week they made a haunted gingerbread house with graham crackers and candy, but Faith was holding it a little too tightly on the bus and it didn't make it. She was kind of sad about it and said, "I was going to have you take a picture of it and put it on your blog!"

Later that day, while Tony was mowing the lawn, Faith and Christian decided to help by cutting the grass with scissors. Where did they get such a crazy idea??? Carolyn--have you been giving my kids lawn care tips? ;)



On Monday the 20th, we met Ann & Natalie with each of their 3 youngest kids at Arctic Circle. I got this pic of Christian, but then was having too much fun chatting to remember to get out my camera after they arrived!








The next morning, Christian took off his soggy diaper and then, for some reason, ran off to our closet to get Tony's boots. I guess he wanted a Cowboy Nudie Butt retake!

On Saturday the 25th, we went to my mom & dad's ward Halloween party. Our ward party was the same night, but I didn't find out the date until we had already planned on this one. Plus, I LOVE that they have a bunch of people bring crock pots of homemade soup for the dinner!

After dinner they have a small carnival inside the church, and then it's outside for trunk-or-treating. The kids behind mine are Sarah's: the skeleton is Brendon, the first witch is Celeste, then Alaura, and you can almost make out Yoda Noah in Brad's arms. We were sad that Sarah couldn't make it, she had to work :(

After the party, my mom invited the kids and myself to her neighbor's "Haunted Backyard", the proceeds from which were going to Primary Children's. We worried that it might be too scary for the littlest ones, and Noah sure clung to my mom, but Christian was in creepy guy heaven!

Faith thought it was pretty cool, too, but Buddy enjoyed it so much that we went around twice so he could study every spooky thing.

Even after all of that, as we were leaving he was crying, "Again, again!!" I'm sure he would have gone into a complete break-down-fit, but he spied a yard full of Halloween inflatable decorations across the street and out of nowhere cheered right up and shouted, "Yaaaay!"

.

.

.

.

.

The next day, while Tony had a friend from work over to our house to watch the Steelers game, the kids and I went to Lagoon.

.

.

.

The kids enjoyed lots of rides and Faith took her baby bro on Puff (second car back).

She is such a sweet helper with him. She lifts him onto every ride by herself and gets him all buckled in tight. Truly the best sister ever!

On Monday the 27th, I had a bunch of errands to run and decided that it was time for Christian's first haircut! From now on, I'll probably be doing it myself, but I wanted to watch a pro do it first. His hair wasn't long down the back of his neck or in the front, but the middle hairs were long and tended to stick straight out sideways and had that crazy new baby fuzzy friz going on. This was the end of the trim so you can see that it doesn't really look any different, but it should look overall "nicer" more of the time now.