Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Carving adventure


While in Indiana there is lots of play with the cousins, because the kids are CRAZY about their cousins. 



You can imagine the delight that was felt when Cody suggested we get together to carve pumpkins. And that was just from me.

But the kids? They were beyond pumped.

When he suggested the carving, I imagined maybe we'd carve a couple small ones.



I imagined wrong. 




We had six massive pumpkins to occupy us.



No way around it, pulling out the middle of a pumpkin is whack.


It just feels wrong.


But you eventually get used to it.


Maybe.



This wasn't just a little kid activity.



In fact I think the grown ups may have enjoyed it more than the kids.


Determined to carve a masterpiece.



I was all, "let's carve a smiley face"



Uh no.



So I mainly sat back and just photographed as it unfolded. 


I think it took three hours?



But they turned out great!



So I did help Pierce with his, and he regretted that decision. He was totally upset with how his turned out. If you can't tell it's a Patriots mascot, but he hated it. Perfection runs through his blood, so all he saw were the imperfections. I can see the pain in his face in this picture, "OH MY GOSH, MY MOM RUINED MY PUMPKIN."


Once his dad talked him off the ledge, I think he came around that it turned out pretty well.



How awesome did these turn out?!




It really was such fun, I loved hanging out with my sister, my nephews, and Megan. We are determined to make this a tradition and already have new strategies laid out for out next carving adventure.

Until next time!

Monday, November 2, 2015

Let's rock 11

Something about turning another year older is just so exhausting. 



But why wouldn't it be? We celebrate for days. 


Doesn't the Queen of England celebrate her birthday like a month or something? WE RUN A CLOSE SECOND.


Of course we went to Indiana to celebrate with the family. PLEASE NOTE, ONLY THE GRANDCHILDREN GET PICTURES ON THE TABLE, IMMEDIATE OFFSPRING KIDS DO NOT RANK.



I'm fully aware I'm biased, but he's just cute.



As always, there was a celebration with his Neena.


Pierce came two days before her 60th birthday.


And he loves sharing a celebration with her.


This is the year he asked for Nerf guns, and all things Xbox.


Mom prefers finer gifts like Target gift cards.



As with all mothers you wonder how life can pass so quickly....




Only a handful of years left and he will driving.



But for now, let's rock 11.



And just because it's mandatory...




Thursday, October 22, 2015

Eleven!


Pierce,

Today you turn ELEVEN! So I guess that makes you an official "tween?" I was talking to Tracey the other day and I said, "he just doesn't act like a tween, you know?" And maybe all that angst and teen stuff is still to come, but I can honestly say you are a dream. 




You know what trips mommy out?



You don't have much time left in elementary school.



You do so very well in school, so I'm sure Junior High won't be a problem for you.


But it will be a problem for me.


So your tenth year of life was pretty awesome, wasn't it?



A new house, straight A honor roll, baseball, running, friends...


But most important, your decision to accept Christ and follow in baptism.




Do you know sometimes I still watch you sleep?



And sometimes I will see a glimpse of you when you were a baby.


Eleven years ago when you came along I thought you would be a baby forever



Funny how quick it goes.




But let me tell you something


If I could have custom ordered a son, I would have ordered one just like you.



I always wondered what you would be like at this age, and you are so much more than I could have dreamt of.



I just want you to know how much I appreciate you.



And that I love you, for just being you.




I have no idea what I did to deserve you, but I'm so glad God gave me you.


Love, Mommy.