Back to Blogging Thanks friends! And New Bike

Thank you blogging friends for the advice on getting more room on my blog, it worked!! Now I have lots of catching up to do. 

Brayden got a bike for his birthday from us. He had gotten a bike for his birthday when he was 2 from grandparents but grew out of it before he learned to ride it. I was hoping he would be able to learn on a new bike. We were pleasantly surprised when he jumped on his bike for the first time and took off down the hill. He does great going downhill but still struggles with getting going uphill. At least he has the basic pedal motion down now. He has asked to ride pretty much every day since he got his bike which is a good sign that he likes it. Too bad it has gotten so cold, we haven't ridden the past couple days. 

He is off one handed while carrying the mail. 

Done blogging...for now, thanks to Blogger

So my blog will not allow me to upload any new photos (anyone else have this happen). It says I am out of space and will have to pay for new space for photos. I am not paying to blog. I have decided I will probably just begin a new blog site but that takes time to sit and redo a new blog format which I do  not have time to do right now. So for now, I am done blogging and hoping to have time to recreate a blog in the future. For now Facebook will have to do as a place to put my photos for family and friends to see. Sorry for all my faithful blog readers. I will let you know when I get a new one up and going.

Our Thankful Tree

My most favorite new tradition for our family was our Thankful Tree. We began our tree the first of  November and added to it each evening we sat around the dinner table. We asked each person to come up with a new thing each night. We would think about it while we ate dinner then pray giving thanks for the specific things mentioned. We then wrote them on a leaf the boys and I cut out. Listening to the boys each night share what they were thankful for was heartwarming. It amazed me all they could come up with and how much they were able to grasp about being thankful. I'm not sure I can get rid of our Thankful Tree now that the Thanksgiving season is over. I moved it to our dining room as something we can reflect on even during this Christmas Season.

I have a few photos but blogger is telling me I must now purchase space for photos. Going to have to look into that for now will post without.

His wonderful works!

Psalm 145:5 - They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

A Visit from Friends

This past weekend we got to have company come stay with us. Some of our freinds, The Rocconi's got to come stay with us a couple nights. They have a sweet baby girl, Bryn who was born in March that we had not gotten to meet yet. We all loved Baby Bryn, including my boys. Brayden asked just this morning if we could have a baby sister. I told him he needs to talk to Daddy and God about that. Bransen didn't leave Bryn's side and wanted to help Robin do everything with her. We had a great time just hanging out, visiting and playing. Robin and I took the kids to a nearby mall for Cabella's and a train ride. We were thankful for time with friends and look forward to the next visit. 

 I love this picture. Poor Robin entertaining all, including the 2 dogs. 

 Sweet Robin couldn't tell my wild boys no.

 They loved Bryn's games on the IPAD

 Look at that pretty smile and beautiful blue eyes on Baby Bryn

 John and Brayden playing Angry Birds Space

 Bransen chasing Bryn

 Animals at Cabella's

The huge fish at Cabella's

Sweet words

I wanted to record some of the sweet words and funny comments coming from my little guys mouths.

Brayden has recently decided he wants to sit in the very back of our new car. We got him a high back booster and moved it to the very back. My main reservation with this was the fact that he could no longer buckle himself in due to the fact of it using a car seat belt. I mentioned a few times for him to try to see if he could do it himself so I wouldn't have to crawl back and fasten him. From then on he was determined to do it HIMSELF! And he did. I had the boys load up and forgot something in the house. I ran back in while they were getting loaded. When I got back to the car Brayden was super excited because he had buckled himself. I praised him and told him what a big boy that was and was glad he was able to accomplish that task. His response was "I told Jesus thank you for helping me". Thankful he realizes that God helps us even in the small things.

Brayden and Bransen had been given some money from both sets of grandparents for a Halloween surprise. I told them that I would take them to a local store which they love called "Rural King" (its a huge Farm and Ranch store with great toys) and they could use their money to make a purchase as long as it was less than $10. As we were driving I asked what they might like to buy. Brayden thinks a minute and says, "I know what I'm going to buy", "one of those black and white rabbits".  I gathered myself, laughed and said I think they are going to cost a little more than $10 (thankfully).

As we have watched many many NasCar races, then Olympic Events and then Cardinal Baseball games, the boys began to pick up on the National Anthem. For a long time Brayden has called it the Racing Song. Recently they have picked up that it is more than just the Racing Song. Bransen's new favorite thing to do is line up all his cars in a huge double car single file line (which includes probably near 50 cars). Bransen then states, "Hand on heart" and insist that everyone places their hand on their heart. He begins "Hosaycansee" and then says "Boom boom boom" when rockets red glare and ends the song with a plane noise and motions a plane flying because of course their is always a flyover. I have got to get this on video. So cute!

Dale Jr and his Crew Chief

Wednesday evening the boys had a blast getting to dress up as Dale Jr and his Crew Chief (or Kyle Busch) depending on what mood Bransen was in at the time. We started off our evening with a fun meal of mummy dogs with spiderweb ketchup. We first went to our friends the Bollman's which live in our subdivision and trick or treated them and then walked down their street with the boys' friends Alex, Ty and Carter. They both really enjoyed it! We then came home and Josh built a fire pit while we handed out candy to all the kids that came by. It is crazy to me how into Halloween people around here get. Most people are out in their driveways to hand out candy so it is a great time to meet and visit with your neighbors. We probably visit with ours more on this night than any other time of the year. I have a hard time with this holiday. Don't really like much about it, hence my title Pumpkin Party and Fall theme I use instead of Halloween. I buy the boys costumes they will at least dress up in the rest of the year and I decorate with fall and Thanksgiving decorations instead of Halloween. 

 Dale Jr and his Crew Chief (or Kyle Busch if you ask Bransen)

 They loved their outfits.

 Good friends - Alex and Ty

 Alex, Brayden, Carter and Bransen

 They were off! Very excited but not sure what about as we headed to the first house.

 Brayden leading the way to the first house.

 Brayden and Alex

 Getting the hang of it, a table set up out in the driveway

 My boys

The boys and I sitting out in our driveway

Bransen really enjoyed handing out the candy, Brayden went in when he got too cold.

Pumpkin Party

Friday night our Hometeam (Church small group) got together for a fun fall fellowship we called a Pumpkin Party. We ate dinner, had the kids dress up, played a few kid carnival like games and then the adults played pictionary. We had a really fun night together and enjoyed our time with friends. 

 Dale Jr. and his Crew Chief

 Dale Jr. - Brayden

 Silly Boys!

 Crew Chief Bransen but after he saw Brayden dressed as Dale Jr he began telling others he was Kyle Busch. Such a funny little guy. 

 All our cute kiddos dressed up for the Pumpkin Party

 Pin the tail on the Zebra

 Pumpkin toss

 Ring the cone

 Craft time with friends

Pumpkin Patch with Little Waves

Our 3rd Pumpkin Patch visit! I guess you can say we love visiting Pumpkin Patches and it just so happened this year we ended up visiting 3 for different reasons. This time of year in our area is absolutely beautiful, scenery and weather wise. Our church play group, Little Waves had a trip to Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Farm. The boys had a really good time with some of their friends from church. We got to do a family wagon/hay ride through the mountains and their tree farm, the boys did a barrel ride, got to pick out a pie pumpkin, feed the animals and play in the huge hay barn. We had a wonderful morning enjoying the fall fresh air and scenery!

 A family photo while riding the hay wagon. 

 Valley Farms - Christmas Tree Farm and Pumpkin Patch - Look at the colorful trees 

 Proud of our Pie Pumpkins and look at the icing (from a yummy cookie the church group provided), covering Bransen's hand and mouth.

 Friends having a picnic

 Feeding a Donkey

 Thinking we might go back for a Real Tree if Josh's allergy's are up to it

 The real pumpkin patch

 Feeding a llama

 CHEESE

 Daddy and Brayden climbing hay bales

 Finding their way through the hay maze

 At the top of the hay, they spotted horses!

 Look how tall we are!

 They loved the animals

 Slide from the barn

 Waiting their turn for the barrel ride. Notice Bransen climbing

 Friends

 That's one way to get in the bucket

 Pumpkins!!

 Bransen's favorite part...chasing the tractor, it was so funny!