Halloween Traditions:

Some new, some old but we had fun with them all!

Little Pumpkin and I started early in the day . . . we made a some sugar cookie dough. She was a excellent little helper! *wink*

After dinner we started making cookies! These cookie cutters were passed down from my Nanny! I can remember some of them vividly. I hope this will be a new tradition for us! Thanks Aunt Amy for passing them along.

Tia and Lolly came out to join in the festivities! So glad we could make memories with them too!

Next: Caramel apples! Daddy Lion and I have made caramel apples nearly every Halloween we've been married. Mmmm.... as Little Lion said: "I like them better than plain green apples!"

Tia was very proud of her apple! And I must say her caramel apple turned out the best!

And now for the featured event: Pumpkin carving! Little Lion did good digging into his pumpkin.

Little Pumpkin was less than impressed with the goo!

They both got a bit out then passed on the responsibility! Little Lion drew out his pattern on a piece of paper for Tia to carve his pumpkin. While Little Pumpkin picked a pattern out of our pumpkin carving kit . . .

Little Lion's creation!

Daddy Lion took over Little Pumpkin's carving . . . maybe letting her pick a pattern was a little much. She took a break to decorate and eat her yummy cookie. It was a hit!

Little Pumpkin's pumpkin all lit up! A spider!?! Yes, I know . . .

Me and my little sis! Isn't she gorgeous!?!

Our finished creations . . . Daddy Lion and I ended up finishing up . . . apparently it's only as fun for as many as you get to eat! *grin*

The caramel apple remnants; they were a success too!

Happy Halloween!

Random Post

Okay, so it's not uncommon to hear "RannnDommm Man" being said around our house! Sometimes Little Lion comes up with the craziest things out of no where, thus the secondary nickname and the title for my posting.

Last Thursday we went to see the doc for well checks! The kids are healthy as horses and they received the flu mist. I'll so do that over the shot any-day for the kids. Although, Kate really didn't know how to sniff! (Which really isn't a bad thing ~ she is always blowing her nose!)

Can you tell they are related!?! WOW, I haven't seen it so clearly as in this pic!

Horseplay on the doctors table . . . not really the smartest! But there were no accidents! *grin* Blake is in the 86% for height and they are both pretty average in weight. Praisn' Jesus for healthy and happy kids!

Sunday night getting ready for AWANAS:

I found this headless child! I told you he really does deserve his title: RANDOM MAN!

(you know you have to be saying that with a deep drawn out voice like a true superhero's name would be said! *wink*)

And finally! I'm on a roll! My wonderful MIL got this saying for me for my b-day and I finally took the plunge tonight and put it up! I LOVE IT! Thank you so much Grandma Lion!

Breakfast reminds me . . .

So, as I sit here and eat my breakfast consisting of a leftover birthday cupcake and glass of milk. *grin* I realize I haven't posted about Little Pumpkin's birthday! What a terrible mom I am.

It all began Saturday morning with a visit to the mailbox! There was a package and as Daddy Lion set it on her lap Little Pumpkin exclaimed "A present for ME, from GRANDMA!?!"

Saturday evening we headed to an indoor play area for her party! She had a blast and I had a blast not worrying about cleaning house before or after or running around gathering all the necessities for a party. They even provided the cake: So worth it!

Got to get every last inch of icing! Cake? What cake?

Anyone recognize the shirt?

I think 4 little girls wore this before her! Thanks for sharing Cheryl!

I don't know why we really bother to purchase any gifts for our children! Between grandparents, aunts, and friends . . . they got it made! *wink* I loved watching the excitement on her face for each gift and the unprompted thank yous that came after each one! Such a proud mommy lion! (thanks Tia and Rachel for taking pictures for me!)

I think this is so sweet all the little girls gathering around to see! I was pleasantly surprised that Little Pumpkin did not boss any of them; at least during present time! *smile*

Our birthday twin, AJ. We celebrated with her on Friday.

My Nanny was able to come over. So good to see her and get a generation shot (even if we are missing a link ~ love you dad).

Happy Birthday Little Pumpkin!

Now you're "pree" (three in Little Pumpkinese)!

While the Daddy's away . . .

. . . the mommy will play; I mean paint! *grin*

Daddy Lion hates painting so I took advantage of his most recent business trip!

My new RED dinning room/kitchen!

I'm SO pleased with it! Just ignore the piles all over the counters. I was going to clean them up for the picture, but realized that the picture would never get taken then! *smile*

"If you are taking pictures you must want to take one of me." thought Little Pumpkin!

The Tooth Fairy Flys Tonight!

I know I haven't posted consistently in months and now two posts in one day! Not to overshadow our great pumpkin patch post (see below), BUT we had a very exciting dinner tonight!

We were running a little on the late side, so we fixed the kids dinner and prayed with them then worked on our plates. Little Lion has had a loose tooth for quite some time . . . months to be more exact. Before we even sat down, he jumped up from the table with his mouth wide open . . . my first thought was oh no he swallowed it. But he just REALLY knocked it loose while trying to bite into his corn on the cob!

SO, we grab the camera for a before shot. And I get ready to pull while Daddy Lion is standing by with the camera. APEX . . . no go. The tooth is not budging, but it is SO loose. We told him to just keep wiggling it and it will be ready soon. He hardly took two more bites he was so preoccupied with the tooth. So Daddy Lion tells him to try twisting it.

He wasn't sure if he should be excited or panic! But he got it out all by himself ~ I like it best that way! *wink*

Ta-da! Our first lost tooth! WOW, this makes him seem so big. Now I've got to find some cash for the tooth fairy! *grin*

Pappy's Pumpkin Patch Pictures

I'm sure I could find another "P" word to go in my title, but I must accomplish this post tonight!

We realized that today would be the only Saturday we had to make it to the pumpkin patch. Daddy Lion is boycotting our regular patch due to the distance. So we found a new patch to try this year ~ not quite so far!

They had tons of great photo ops! I loved this one with the old truck full of pumpkins! There was also a scarecrow driving it and one looking under the hood!

They play area was a backyard extravaganza! They had this great playhouse fully furnished! A big sand box, 3 slides, 4 swings, a see saw, teather ball & a tire swing! Sure made our backyard look boring!

The tractor train was a hit! Each little barrel had a different paint job. From Thomas to Lightening even a few Princess ones! I thought it was cute that they picked the school bus ~ so appropriate for this year!

I loved this shot! They both seem to be enjoying the ride!

Now that's a great big brother! Helping his little sis out on the hay stack. She immediately informed us she could do it all by herself and then she did!

They also had this fun area to dress a scarecrow! Little Lion was too busy buttoning the shirt to stop for a picture. There was also a place for the kids to dress up like a scarecrow and a pond with catfish to feed.

My pumpkin and Little Lion "guarding" his pick!

Ready for the hay ride back! They really are enjoying themselves~ just didn't want to stop people watching for a picture!

The tire swing! I love the look of anticipation! They were about to get another shove from Daddy!

DETERMINED! If I had to describe Little Pumpkin in one word that would be it!

The pumpkins were a little pricey ~ but hey it was the great experience we had. We will for sure be going back next year!

Yee Haw!

Western Days in full swing! Being in the school system now, we have more events to fill our celebrations. Friday Little Lion's school kicked off the weekend bright and early. I volunteered to help out and of course signed up for Kindergarten. Well, I learned I really should have signed up for the first grade ~ I was working while he was going to all the different stations. I know for next year.

Little Pumpkin enjoying the morning sunshine before the kids started coming. We were working at the sack races.

Little Lion with a few of his class. Just like his daddy ~ right in the middle of the girls! There are only 7 of them in his class!

Family shot! So glad my partner at the sack races offered to snap a picture of us.

They were so cute in their western duds! As much I as suppress it ~ I think I truly am a cowgirl at heart. *wink*

Saturday is the real deal! At the heart of Western Days is the parade; Mark likes to refer to it as the "East Texas candy throwing festival". We shared the events with two other families this year.

Little Lion, Little Pumpkin and our friend AJ cowboyed up.

At the parade: AJ did not appreciate the noise.

What a crew! They were prepared for the loot.

What a happy girl! What's not to love about people throwing candy at you?!?

The D family had to head out early, but check out their bounty! Miss R's bag is full too.

Even sharing our spot with 2 other fams, we still ended up with 6 pounds of candy! Bring on the trick or treaters; we are ready! *smile*