Friday Night Fight Fright

I love watching my kids play together. Especially when it doesn't end in a real fight.

Pumpkin ButterNuts

Sometime around the first part of September our local grocer had their fall pumpkins on display. Christopher just happened to go to school with the manager (and grandson of the grocer chain owner) and is a friend of Christopher's. He happened to see Caden's excitement over the pumpkins one day while shopping that he let Bear pick any pumpkin of his choice and gave it to him.

Sadly, the last time we've carved pumpkins with the kids it was before Reese of Bear existed! Yes, we are lame parents. So, we started our pumpkin carving a little early. We'll still end up going to the pumpkin patch later next month.

The kids had a lot of fun.

None of the kids wanted to touch the insides however. Gavin ended up using a plastic bag to help him remove the guts.

Bear sporting his Halloween bat shirt and blue tighty-whiteys.

Caden and Daddy.

Reese was the only one brave enough in the end to at least use a spoon and her hands to remove the seeds.

The boys in deep concentration during face making/carving time.

While the boys were carving, Reese was turning models into "Nightmare before Christmas" Halloween models.

She particularly liked this one.

The final product! It didn't take long for a name to be given.

PUMPKIN BUTTERNUTS!

Soccer Girl in ACTION

Reese had her second soccer game last Monday night. This game was in the evening and she was a bit sluggish, but she still had fun and contributed.

Christopher was able to come to this game so he took some action shots of Reese.

He got some video action shots as well. Here's one that's funny watching how the girls (Reese) could careless of the white line boundaries. Just GET THAT BALL!

Christopher likes these b.c it's so funny watching a mob of girls around the ball all trying to kick it. Almost a goal here.

Gavin.

Bear with Daddy in a head lock.

After the game we were met with juice boxes and oatmeal cream pie cookies! Seriously.

The girls ended up winning this game too! YAY!

Lightning McBear

Caden got a new trike for his b-day. He's lighting fast...or at least in his eyes! Super-duper cute nonetheless!

Soccer Girl's 1st Game

Boy have we had some crazy rain this past week! I was beginning to mistake Texas for Washington for a few days there. Reese's first game was supposed to happen last Saturday however was rained out. So were her last two practices. Geez. TODAY however was the big day. The rain left us with beautiful sunny (and freakishly HOT n' HUMID) game day. Reese could not have been more excited. Above she is pictured with 3 of her 4 teammates. Lacy, Hailey, Reagan and Reese. Emma hadn't arrived yet.

Reese started off practicing her drills with her coaches. I was a little nervous for her as she hadn't had a real practice in two weeks (rain). I wasn't sure if she would remember some of the basics.

Her team poised and ready for action.

Team huddle. GO STARS! Or as Reese says, the "Pink Lady" team.

The game began with Reese (#5) on the bench with Reagan.

Within the first two minutes of the game, Reese was back on the field and stayed there.

She was a fierce competitor. My worries were forgotten as she never missed a beat.

She made one goal (not bad for her first game ever) in the first half and assisted with 2 others.

Half time break was spent fanning her self and drinking an entire water bottle. Poor thing.

Team getting some coaching tips just before the second half.

Bear found a furry friend. He wanted to be out on the field really bad. The kid can't wait until he's old enough to play on a team. He kept saying "I'm bigger now!"

He spent some time loving on him...

and then promptly forgot about his friend. Exactly why I can not get a dog. All fun and games until they loose interest...then it's mom's other child (that never "grows up").

Reese got a little break at the first part of the second half.

Then she was back to tearing it up! In this half however, she forgot that we switch goal sides and made the other team a goal! I chalk it up to her trying to share the love. After all, her team was ahead.

Reese has a good friend in Hailey. It's sooo cute.

They finished the game coming out on top: 12 to 9. We parents went and made a tunnel for the kids.

Yeah, STARS! They played a good game and got the season off to a fabulous start!

Moon Pies for everyone! (I know, right?) Way to go, REESE! I mean, Soccer Girl!!

Monster Truck Cake

The other day Bear and I were at Walmart (ugh!) and he saw a cake with a monster truck crushing three smaller cars. He wanted it sooooo bad. I told him we could make this same cake at home with his OWN cars. Here's what we came up with. It took us a solid 3 minutes to decorate. Totally lame frosting job, but hey, a 3 year old doesn't care and neither did I!

Then Bear wanted a piece. But it had to have a car on it. He got a piece with the crushed Ice Cream Truck. AWESOME! He's been one happy kid ever since! So easy to please at this age.

Gavin's Shenaniganz

For Gavin's 7th birthday we had his party at Shenaniganz in Rockwall. It was the perfect place for nine 7 year old boys to run around and be loud! I would highly recommend the place to anyone else with boys!! I don't have the nerves or patience to have a party at my house anymore at this age.

The party started with everyone playing some cosmo bowling!! Here we are lining up for shoes (and some of us socks too).

Reese was in HEAVEN b.c her BFF Madison was able to come party with us. She moved this past summer to N. Dallas and she has missed her terribly.

They didn't miss a beat playing with each other. It was so cute to watch. We will greatly miss this family. Thank the Texas stars above Christopher has promised me a move back to Texas once our stint in UT is over.

Birthday boy Gavin was first up and set the tone.

It was funny b.c all the boys play the Wii bowling and considered themselves pro's.

A bowling ball is a little different than handling the Wii remote.

Let's see. We have Sam in the back, Micheal, Gavin, Kaleb and Reuben in this picture.

Joey with the pirate shirt.

Part of Gavin's party package included a souvenir t-shirt. All the boys, our hosts, and guests signed it. Christopher tied it together with some flare.

After bowling it was time for pizza. From the front left, Joey, Hunter, Micheal, Gavin, Kaleb, Sam and Reuben.

Madison and Reese enjoying their pizza.

Instead of cake, we had the Rockwall Cake Factory bring in some gourmet cupcakes in for the boys to decorate.

Gavin had a giant chocolate cupcake and here he is showing off his decorating job.

Happy Birthday being sung to G-man and him blowing out his candles.

Then it was a free for all while opening presents.

He scored some very fun toys!

They had a little time left before it was our scheduled time for Laser Tag so the boys got to go out and play in the arcade.

Reese and Caden even got in a little tot bowling. We're gonna have to have a FHE night of bowling some time soon. They all loved it!

Lined up, ready for some serious Laser Taggin! Micheal, Gavin, Kaleb, Hunter, Sam, Joey and Reuben.

Here are the boys inside the Laser Tag room awaiting instructions. Very cool.

Gavin showing us what a laser shot looks like.

A little laser tag action. The boys had SO much fun. I think this was Gavin's highlight of the night. They all came out so hot and sweaty. Why must my 7 year old sweat like a man already? Thank heavens for showers! I do NOT look forward to when he's a teenager!

Once the boys finished laser tagging, it was time for the arcades once again until the boys parents picked them up.

Sam and his mom (whom I LOVE, Tammy) sharing a ride.

Hunter and Reuben with Bear in between.

Daddy and Reese rockin' the Guitar Hero arcade.

Reese's hiney is so cute! I wanted to get a video b.c she was just soooo adorable, however, my camera memory card was used up.