Halloween 2012

We knew Halloween was going to be big this year.  Sawyer has always loved Halloween and is especially fond of anything spooky, creepy or crawly.  He was so excited when we broke out the Fall/Halloween decorations and the next month was filled with fun activities and festivities.

The boys helped me make some treats for our friends and families.  

Sawyer's halloween party at school was PJ day.  I was a little nervous when he wanted to wear a "ninja belt" around his head (wrapping ribbon), a cat mask, and a cat tail as well.  When he showed up to class though, all his classmate oohed and ahhed over how they liked his outfit.  Go figure.

These moms go over the top for his classroom parties.  I just sign up to read the books.

Our dear friends, the Starks, from high school then college then Houston moved back to Edmond, OK.  Sabrina brought her 2 year old, Will, for the Stillwater downtown trick or treating.  We met up with Sabrina, Will and Sabrina's mother.  The next day we also met up at the Children's Museum.  Sabrina and Paul are expecting twins a few weeks after we are expecting our little guy.  It will be fun for our babies to grow up together.

On Halloween night we carved our pumpkins and ate some chili.  Sawyer had been planning on going as Iron Man, but at the last minute he decided to be a cat.  Our next door neighbor helped us pull the costume together quickly.  In fact one of her four changed his mind at the last minute and we were able to return the favor. 

Beau is wearing what he calls his "bone bone shirt."  He loves this shirt.

Grammy and Grandpa showed up with buckets of fun treats for the boys.  They had so much fun playing with them all.

I am such a prepared mom.  I was skeptical Beau would even wear a costume.  Aunt JuJu picked up a used Thomas costume for Beau.  I stuck it in the costume basket.  Right before we got ready to go Trick or Treating I let Beau pick out a costume from the basket.  He picked out Thomas and he kept it on!

We went Trick or Treating with our neigbors.  It was a blast and worked out perfectly.  The moms took the kids out in one direction while the dads passed out candy (sat in front of the fire pit and drank beer), then it was the mom's turn to relax.

Clint and I did go to a Halloween party the week before Halloween.  We dressed up as a 1950s housewife and "the milkman".  This totally gave me an excuse to show off the bump err large belly that looked full term at 20 some-odd weeks prego.  We had a great date night.  The party was over the top and even had a photo booth.

OSU Football and Homecoming

 by Clint

Cowboy football is one of the big benefits of moving back to Stillwater for us, so we went to as many games as possible. The first game we went to was Louisiana-Lafayette. We thought the Rajun Cajuns were going to put up more fight, but we won easily. Unfortunately, our starting quarterback got injured. This was definitely not a 2011 season for the Cowboys. Sawyer and Beau love going to the games.

They especially love the snacks. No game is complete without hotdogs, popcorn, and pizza. Even though Beau is giving the Beau-brow, he was happy.

I spent most of the game holding Beau with his OSU blankie and wrestling with my little cowboys.

We went to The Walk for the first time this year. This is a parade that showcases the players and coaches on their way to the stadium. The boys really enjoyed it. Tailgating is really picking up at OSU.

We also had the chance to go to the Texas Tech game together. The pizza was the highlight for the boys. The game was great and we won.

Thanks to Josh Ramsey, we had a great Christmas card picture this year.

Mom took the boys to the Harvest Carnival this year, and Woody had fun seeing Pistol Pete.

Iron Baby is about to get a lesson in sharing from Woody.

Iron Baby and Woody (and mom's cleavage) made it onto the front page of the NewsPress! They both had so much fun.

Taylor and Julie and their kids came up for Homecoming. Everyone had a blast at the Walkaround. Ashley and Shawn also came to stay with us.  We loved having a full house on this festive weekend.

There was a crescent moon out at the walkaround.

Sawyer and Beau's favorite part about Homecoming was spending time with their cousins.

The best part about football season is spending time with friends. With our new house in Stillwater (now with a TV in the man cave), we have plenty of room, and we can't wait until next season.

September 2012

September consisted of Clint working, OSU football, home remodeling, yard work, trips to Arkansas, cancer research, exploring Stillwater with the boys, picnic lunches with dad, and trips to the farm.  It was a stressful month but we definitely had some highlights. 

We made one last trip to the lake the weekend after Labor Day.  It finally cooled down a little and we had a great time.  It is such a happy place for us.  Sawyer out did everyone and caught the biggest fish of the weekend all by himself.

The boys and I continued our morning adventures almost every morning.  One of our favorite spots is the Children's Museum.  We are so thankful our small town has so much for children and that Grammy bought us annual passes to the museum.

We continued to have a few of the main living areas painted (we have a very long ways to go) and replaced the rose colored carpet in the sun room and office with wood floors.

Dad gave Beau a black eye trying to save his life.  Beau was choking on a Little People and Dad was trying to get it out.  All parties invovled were pretty tramatized except the Little People fireman.

The boys love going to Grandpa's farm to hang out.  We are so fortunate to live just 4 miles away.

Beau had a tendancy to fall into things this year.  He fell into the muddy pond in this picture.

And like always, either Clint or I are holding both boys in a rocking chair (along with whatever the paraphernalia of the day is).  This fall Beau also developed a compulsive love of "one more book".  The boys read so much.  When they are not reading they want to be sitting in our laps drinking our coffee.  

August 2012

 Most of August was blazing hot and I was not in the mood to deal with it.  We started the remodeling work on the house.  I attempted to start painting but it was not working out with my pregnancy and the heat.  We just ended up paying someone.  Best decision we had made in a long time.  Hah!  We also kept Summit twice during the month of August.  He was a blast to have around and the boys loved him.  He is such an easy baby.  Clint worked like a madman.  I installed an electric fence around our entire yard for Heidi and started ripping up landscaping.  About halfway though the month Julie went into pre-term labor and was put on bed rest.  I tried to make a trip to Arkansas every other week or so to help her out.  But all in all we made the most of our last month of summer.  Being surrounded by adorable little boys kept a smile on my face if not total laughing out loud. 

This particular Sunday we visited a church.  Beau started acting up so Clint took him into the hallway.  While he was out there, something upset him and he started his wailing.  I mean loud does not describe it.  The pastor was wrapping up his sermon and started saying, "Cry out to Jesus, just like that little one . . ." Finally he was like, "Ok, someone go help that kid."  I was not about to get up in front of everyone to go help Clint manage Beau (Clint is seriously a snake charmer with that baby, they were just having a rough day.) I thought surely church was almost over, but it went on for another 30 minutes!  Clint was so mad at me, but I felt stuck there.  Needless to say we haven't been back to visit.   

 A glimpse of life with three boys.

On one of the super hot days (I think 113 degrees), I took the boys to the Tulsa Air and Space Museum.  They loved it and it was nice and cool inside. 

We loved going to the botanical gardens.  We would go first thing in the morning before it was too hot and walk around.  My boys preferred going there over any of the parks in town.