Last Soccer Game

This was done by the coach's wife at the kids' last game. It couldn't be more ironic since it looks like James is right in the fray, cocky about his skills, and enjoying soccer....

I'm pretty sure what he was really saying was, "look mom, I kicked the ball for the FIRST time!"

When asked why James doesn't "get in there and kick the ball," he replied, "but all those other kids are kicking the ball."

So, no team sports for a while.....

Gulf Shores..... the beach... in OCTOBER.

It is my sincere hope to make this blog into a book someday. Not a "publishable" book, just something our family can have in lieu of a photo album with printed photos (haven't seen one in years) or a scrapbook (not my thing). So, it's come to my attention (thank you, Grandma) that if I don't get caught up to December now, I never will.

So, this Fall shall be remembered, in our book, as that time we were so busy having fun and enjoying life that I never had time to write about it.

So, get ready, lots of bog posts coming soon. Lots of pictures. Not so many words. Just go with this - if we look like we were having fun... we were!

This was a GREAT beach vacation in October with....... yes, the Clutters! Brian's Aunt & Uncle have a place in Gulf Shores, AL and generously let us stay there for the weekend. We left the day after the hayride. It was purrrrfect. Great weather, the kids loved it, and we saw dolphins, rays, crabs, herons, and a few tar balls.

Sweet Chase wanted to walk with Molly and started "kicking the shells out of her way so they won't hurt her feet!"

At the end of the peninsula, is Ft. Morgan. Two little boys + one big fort = very happy campers.




Molly asked me to take these pictures of her. I would take one and then she'd say "another?" and then she would strike a totally different pose.

Happy Fall, Y'all.

Alabama Hayride

Tour #3: Pumpkin patch, hayride and bonfire in Clanton, AL. 200 people. 200 PEOPLE. And guess JUST GUESS! who was among them. YES! Amy, husband Brett and bestie Chase. Really, we never leave home without them.

The hayride/bonfire and the feeding of 200 people was moderately successful. Successful enough that I would admit I planned it. Stressful enough that I would never do it again.

It's worth mentioning here, that Chase felt that he had hurt his ankle/leg/foot a moment before this pic.

I asked to boys to show me their superhero powers....

On the hayride back to our cars.

Tired anyone?

Pumpkin Carving Party

So, get ready - I think the next 10 or 12 posts are going to start "My friend Amy" or "Chase and James" because we have seen A LOT of each other in the past 2-3 months....

So, MY FRIEND AMY had a pumpkin carving party to kick of Fall (great idea!). James & Chase and all the other lunatics, I mean kids, ran around doing whatever it is they do. I try not to pay attention.

I should have taken photos of Amy's fun, elaborate, festive decorations inside her house, but instead you'll have to settle for a pic of pumpkin guts:

The 8 minutes that James was actually interested in carving the pumpkin involved 7 1/2 minutes of BEGGING to use the knife, of course.

The finished products. Ours is the best one you see there.

Uh huh, that's right.

Big Day in Sylacauga, AL

Oh, never heard of it? Can't imagine why. Population: about 19,000. Location: middle of nooooowhere, Alabama. Claim to fame: they make marble and it's the home to one of the Bluebell Ice Cream Factories.......

And that's what found us, and the 20 other folks on my tour, in Sylacauga. Oh yes, did I mention? I am organizing the trips and tours for the spouses (and sometimes children) of the 500 students at Brian's school this year. Really, you're not surprised, are you?

James has a new object of his affection these days - it's Chase. A boy in his class almost the exact same age. His mom/my friend, Amy also came on the tour. She's an adventurer just like me so when we got to the ice cream factory 20 minutes early, we both thought it would be a good idea to double-back to the fire station we saw two blocks away and invite ourselves in for a tour. They were very obliging on account of being so bored. Apparently, not a lot of fire drama in Sylacauga.

James and Chase in a fire truck

New Sylacauga besties - the firefighters.

and on to the Bluebell Ice Cream factory tour (no photos allowed inside) where you receive a very generous scoop of ice cream after the tour.

BOTH my kids choose BLUE ice cream, of course.

My Cheese!

Is there a chance, if even a teensy weensy one, that I am taking too many pictures of these kids? Molly is now calling it "my cheese" like it's her time in the limelight and "don't you try to steal it James!"

Molly - 21 months

Loves to dress herself.

In fact, she loves to do everything herself.

"Self! Self! Self!"

I'm hearing it in my sleep!

Trying to put on her new PJs from Oma & Opa....

Sporting James' new superhero shirt (as a skirt) and his croc slippers...

Not so good at taking clothes OFF.

Picked this little nugget out for herself the other day. No pants, thankyouvurymuch.

Aaaah, Molly. You're a funny one.