oh what fun it is to ride in a pumpkin ride with Hay!! HEY!

Over the freeway and through the woods...
to our families house we go...
the van knows the way, to carry the sleigh
to Lisa's new house we go - OH - (and what a cute new house it is...)

Over the freeway and through the woods,
from Lisa's house we go..
to the red barn
where we were warm
where pumpkins were found in a row.

It was UEA weekend (or Fall break) for the kids and so we decided to take a vacation. Can I just say...being with family is so rejuvinating for me. I love spending time with them and especially outdoors. The weather was just perfect. And so here we go on our journey:

Where the green grass grows!

It finally happened. After weeks and weeks of hard work, we finally got our back yard in. Can you say GRASS!!! Yikes! That is going to be a lot of mowing. Have fun Mason. :) Mom and Dad surprised us and showed up to help. We all enjoyed watching from the kitchen window the crew of sod layers do their magic. We have the hook ups here in this neighborhood. Not only is there a sod farm near by, our neighbor works there and cut us a great deal on "seconds" and an "install crew" to boot! 5 of them had it knocked out in 2 hours.... beats the heck out of Jake and Me doing the whole thing in a day or two! Jake is awesome! He did the sprinkler system and all the other hard prep work. The big dirt patch in the middle will be a giant sand box that the swing set will sit in. We'll see how soon the kids can convince Dad to put it up. There is a stinkin football field in my back yard.... TURKEY BOWL at our house!

alright it can snow now.... we are suppose to see snow this weekend!

A classic childhood moment...

It's Parent Teacher Conference day today. The kids are doing exceptionally well :) especially with the help of this....

Translation: (10 year old boys handwriting... ya gotta love it)

Dear Mom,

If I got Star Wars Battle Front (a PS2 game...) I would some how do better in school they say Star Wars Battle Front is good for your sole.

xoxoxox

Love,

Mason

Do you like the part that says.... "I will do better in school.... if I get the game." Nice try on the ultimatum buddy! Mason has been saving his money to buy a game for a long time. He looks online to find the deals and informs me when he finds exactly what he wants and where it is on sale. I like the concept of him being on top of things... and I must say that he is very persistant about it. He hand delivered the mail to me today and the note was tucked inbetween the envelopes. sly...

What have we become?.... has the gaming world taken over my boys... all of them... look, even Andrew was intense watching...

The funnest thing this fall...

Mom called me a month or so ago and asked if I would cater lunch for her and my Aunts for Aunt Jill's birthday. They would come to my house since it is in the middle and I would fix them lunch. Are you kidding me? I loved the idea!!! Totally got into too! I spent yesterday doing most of the prep work so that my kitchen and I wouldn't be a mess. Today worked out better than planned. I absolutely love love loved doing it. If you ever need a self esteem boost, spend an afternoon with Mom, Cindy and Jill! They are my favorite! The food wasn't half bad, if I do say so myself.

The Menu: Fresh Grape Gelatin's, Fall Salad with Cider Vinaigrette blue cheese and candied walnuts, Chicken pot pie in a pumpkin, and turtle brownie "skookie's"!

Like Ina says... take advantage of some things prepared for you... like the bagged salad (the fall mix) and a Betty Crocker box brownie (Turtle variety...) and then do other things that make a difference like fresh herbs, homemade chicken stock and pie crust. Martha might have smiled at it as well... except for the flies :)

Our Fall leaves outing had a close encounter!!!..keep watching.

scrapy cards!!!

count em' 58 cards. I have been totally loving making cards over the last 4 days. I went to a farmers market last Saturday and found a S.U. lady who had tons of retired stamp sets. I bought one "noteworthy" and the rest is history... I have officially filled my box with birthday, friend, love, bliss, and baby cards.... only the thing with it is I had a huge box of scrap paper from scrapbooking that I didn't know what to do with. So each card is random size and shape just to use up my paper. How fun!
So friends and loved ones, get having babies and giving me reasons to send love, friend and whatever else cards... OHHH and while I've been crafting up a storm... I have been listening to this awesome set of CD's that a neighbor lent to me. I highly recommend it. Totally giving me a new perspective about life, relationships and my lovely marriage. ENJOY!