Trick or Treatin'

This year Jackson was a Star Wars Clone Trooper (NOT a storm trooper, he emphasized to everyone.)  Hannah was a Carolina Cheerleader.  Cousin Ethan joined us again this year and he was a pirate.  They got a huge loot and had a blast!

Beforehand I teased Jackson that he had to give all the Kit Kats to me.  Big mistake.  He actually told people that his mommy wanted the Kit Kats.  It totally sounded like I had put him up to saying it to get more candy.  So embarrassing!

I've been trying to teach Hannah how to say "trick or treat" for the last few days, but it was more than she could manage to get out.  She did seem to understand the concept right away!  She stood at our door all dressed and with her pumpkin well before nighttime arrived.  Hannah LOVED it.  She was a giggly mess going door-to-door and wanted to go to each one with the big boys.  We tried to help her carry the heavy pumpkin, but she had a meltdown thinking we were taking it away.  She enjoyed her first candy ever tonight, a sucker.  It was a hit!

Aunt Cheri, Uncle Matt and Caleb

"Heels are #1!"  (ok... not really. She is just pointing that she wanted to get going and stop all the photo fuss)

Earlier this week we attended a Trunk or Treat at the school where we have church.  Our church sponsored a "Wii Sports" themed trunk - interactive and all.  It was a favorite!

Girls Trip 2010

Last weekend I flew to Austin, TX to meet up with my awesome college buds (aka "seesturs" - Ashley, Heather, Rebecca, Shannon and Weez).  This was hands-down our favorite trip so far!  We laughed until we cried, reminisced, laughed about funny things our kids do, encouraged each other, rebuked each other (true!), were downright silly, laughed some more, and ate and ate and ate.

We were all over that awesome town.  Austin has such a unique culture and atmosphere.  I loved it!  The town's motto:  "Keep Austin Weird".  Enough said.  Everything is local, organic, and purely one-of-a-kind.  One interesting note is that some of the town's best food is from those little food trailers.  Seriously, we ate at the South Austin Trailer Park (Torchy's!).  And, I could have eaten there every meal and been deliriously happy.  We had full days and late nights that I am still recovering from!

It's hard to recap for blogging purposes, but here's a little run down of our activities:

Thursday:  flew into Austin, Weez made us a Cuban dinner, toured the Blanton Art Museum (Turner to Monet exhibit... awesome), Vivos for chips and salsa.

Friday:  Slept in (amen!), paddled on Lady Bird Lake (aka Colorado River), hiked Mt. Bonnell, lunch at Torchy's (the BEST tex-mex I have ever had), Barton Springs, Mayfield Park and all the peacocks, stop for coffee, Target (yes, target), tried on hats and boots at Sheplers -  the world's largest cowboy outfitter store, crashed at Weez's and watched YouTube videos, dinner at Hyde Park Bar and Grill, and then back to Weez's to watch "The Last Song.

Saturday:  More sleeping in, lunch @ The Snack Bar, walked and shopped on S. Congress, incredible pies from the CutiePie and cupcakes from Hey Cupcake (food trailers extraordinaire!), Ikea, outlet shopping, dinner at the Mansion at Judges Hill, driving around downtown and 6th Streets and all the wild scene there, Mozarts for coffee and dessert.

Sunday:  sniff sniff... it was early to the airport and bye to my girls.  I had a little layover in Dallas with Ash, Heather, Rebecca and Shannon before taking our separate flights home.

Now for some pics:

ridiculously good...  I'm having withdrawl.

When in Texas...

the closest we could get to riding a machanical bull... yes, we looked.

don't ask.  :)  I think we were a little delirious from shopping.

So grateful for my hubby who not only encourages me to go on these trips each year, but also takes on all the home responsibilities with the kids!  Thanks, hon.  You are truly the best!

State Fair 2010

For Jackson it is all about the rides.  For Daddy it is all about the free hush puppies and peanuts.  For mommy it is all about the pig/duck/goat races.  And for Hannah's first trip to the fair, she was most excited about the animals.  She was mesmerized by them!  We all love the holding the baby chicks and ducklings!

This year we went with our friends, the Fleegles (although I didn't get a single pic of them - sorry!).  Despite the heat and pink faces afterwards, it was a great family time together!

Wanting closeness with brother

Hannah has finally figured out how to climb up on the sofa and recliner.  Of course her preferred activity atop these summits is to jump and walk around, which is really keeping mommy on her toes!

Also, her ability to climb there has limited Jackson's personal space. She has loved having him home during track out and has been ALL OVER HIM. She wants to be wherever he is.  Hannah is quite the instigator and pest when she wants his attention! He objects, but its obvious he doesn't mind too much!

Enjoying morning cartoons together.

"Mom, I'm in love with her"

Last Sunday, Jackson's buddy, M, joined him at church.  M is a really sweet girl that loves Jesus and has a super kind heart.  She is in his class at school and they actually had play dates together when they were really little since her mom and I were in a new mom's group together.  Jackson was SO excited to see her.  They gave each other a hug and went off to class together. 

After class the teacher told me that they held hands the entire class.  I was floored!  He's never talked about girls in a lovey sort of way before.  When I asked him if he grabbed her hand or if she grabbed his he replied, "I grabbed her hand.  Mom, I am in love with her". 

SAY WHAT?!?! 

My friend Jennifer was standing next to me when he said that and she was holding back her laughter.  I really don't know how I feel about all this! 

We had a conversation later that evening about how there would be plenty of time for him to have "girlfriends" when he is bigger (like 25!) and for right now he should just be good friends.

Cousin time in Georgia

We trekked to Uncle Tyson and Aunt Amanda's house last week to meet baby Emerson!  She is as adorable in person and it was wonderful to see her!  Mike and I left the kiddos at their house under the care of Mimi and Granddaddy Pete while we went to the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta for 2 days.

Jackson and Hannah had an absolute blast with cousins Elle and Emerson!  They played toys, jumped on the trampoline, went to the playground, went to a bounce house place, played Jack's wii, and just had a big time together.

Fall fun

 We made our annual trip to the Joyner farm for some fall fun with friends!  Sack races, face painting, pumpkin painting, limbo, three-legged races, hay ride, yummy BBQ and fun for all!  We always have such a great time with our buddies that we don't get to see often enough!

One full load!  Dads joined the kids on the hay ride and Moms had uninterrupted conversation for a long time!

At the end of the hayride I walked up to this... a sleeping 1/2 naked baby. 

little fire fighters

It's fire safety month.  We enjoyed a Fire Safety event last weekend in Morrisville.  They even had pink hats for the girls!

First Lost Tooth

Jackson has had a loose tooth for over a month.  Last weekend he complained that it was starting to hurt a little.  I looked in his mouth and saw his tooth barely attached and that the permanent tooth had already come up behind his row of baby teeth!

He was very excited and brave when I pulled it out.

Immediately he got out the Tooth Fairy Pillow that Mimi made him and we tucked the tiny tooth down in the pocket.  (He is SO proud of that pillow, mom!)  The Tooth Fairy came that night and left a dollar!  Jackson wanted to spend it right away so we went to Target and he picked out a Star Wars toy from the dollar section.