Air Show

A very rainy Sunday did not keep us from venturing out to the air show. However, we did spend a lot of time hanging out under aircraft wings while trying to stay dry.

The planes couldn't fly due to low ceilings and visibility. We found other things to occupy our time. Note: Bouncy slides are VERY FAST when wet! Elizabeth is in heaven on a helicoper behind a machine gun, or perched on a motorcycle. The girls enjoyed the "pedal" airplanes. They pedaled around a take off and landing flight pattern twice, and earned their junior pilot certificates. Finally, the planes are flying! However, what you see in the picture, besides my kids stuffing their faces with funnel cake, is a re-enactment of Pearl Harbor. I am not a big history buff, but if my memory serves me correctly that wasn't a great day for the US Air Force. Lizzy was so happy that I made her some "paratrooper" pants. She now has them in desert and woodland pattern, so we can blend in anywhere. They are made out of the shirt sleeves of our old uniforms. She wanted a top also, but that is a bit above my sewing and free time levels.

Halloween

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed

One fell off and bumped her head Mama called the doctor and the doctor said No more monkeys jumping on the bed.

Two little monkeys jumping on the bed

One fell off and bumped his head Mama called the doctor and the doctor said No more monkeys jumping on the bed.

One little monkey jumping on the bed Well, she actually listened and got off the bed. No more monkeys with broken heads.

Pumpkins of the year...Go to: Transformers and Dinosaurs!

A mishmash of Halloween events.

This was the first year that I took the kids trick-or-treating. They practiced first at our neighbors' house. It took a few tries to get it right, so that we could venture around the block.

This is a transcript of Ava's dialogue with our neighbors and us. Ava: I want some candy. Richard: Where is your bag? Ava: Dad, I need a bag? (Mom procures a bag.) Ava to Richard: I have a bag. Richard: So? Ava: Can I have some candy? Richard: What do you have to say? Ava: Please. Richard: No, that isn't right. Ava to mom (on the verge of tears): He won't give me candy. Mom to Ava: You have to say Trick-or-Treat, and then thank you. Ava to Richard: Trick-or-Treating (Ava finally gets candy) Ava to Richard: Thank you! Ava to mom: Can we go to another house? Ava to the next neighbor: Trick-or-Treating (Ava gets more candy) Thank you. Ava to neighbor before leaving: You have lollipops. Neighbor: Here have some (and puts them in her bag) Ava to neighbor: Can I have this (pointing to a particular candy) Neighbor: Sure Ava: I love you! Thank you. I love you! (and runs off to join her sister on the sidewalk) Ava: Can we do another house.

A fun evening for all.

Enchanted Rock

We played hookie from work and school this past Wednesday to take a 2 hour road trip to Enchanted Rock, a bit north of Fredericksburg, TX. The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome, that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States. The weather was wonderful 70 degrees and sunny, but very windy especially at the top of the rock.Elizabeth is a natural billy goat. I don't think she stopped running or climbing all day. Ava was a bit more timid, but walked all day.

Even Casey tried his hand at bouldering, but I was afraid he was going to crack his head on a rock. So while he walked the entire trip to the top, he did have to hold onto my hand most of the time.

What is a hiking trip without a little bit of adventure? Enchanted rock also has a 1000 ft long cave. Probably not the smartest idea with three small children and one flashlight, but what the heck. Plus, I would never pass up the opportunity to explore a cave.

"In a cavern, in a canyon, Excavating for a mine."

The kids did really well. The girls listened to all our directions, and we were easily able to help maneuver them through the cave. They weren't scared of the dark and there was minimal whining out of Ava. Casey was a bit more squirmy and kept wanting to grab the flashlight, but he was a real trooper. We covered most of the cave, but did take an alternate exit before the official end. The last part was going to be pretty tricky with the kids. Plus, we had already been under ground for an hour and the kids thought it was time for a snack break. So, we emerged back into daylight with everyone intact.

In fact the only bad things that happened all day were that Casey lost his shoe in the cave,

and a tree branch fell Ava's head while we were eating lunch.

TRAMPOLINE!

We have had the trampoline since Easter. I have yet to take any pictures of the kids on it despite the fact that they are on it almost daily. It is so great to have a fenced in yard with lots of things for the kids to do outside. They especially enjoy playing in the sand box, sending their "babies" down the slide, and jumping on the trampoline. Ryan enjoys the trampoline just as much as the kids. His special time with the kids often includes jumping with them and showing them how to do tricks. All I can say is thank goodness for the net. So finally, here you go. Some pictures of our bouncing baseball players.

Progress Pajama Party @ The Little Gym

The girls are half way through this semester of gymnastics and dance class. We did a make up class this week, so it was just all gymnastics. Casey and I got to go in and watch their tricks. Elizabeth heard that this week's theme was Pajama Party. She would never miss an opportunity to wear pajamas out of the house, so of course she dressed up. These airplane pajamas are courtesy of Uncle Austin. The girls enjoyed showing off, but I think Casey had the most fun of all. I wish I had a padded room to lock him up and let him run around.

Wedding

Gerlyn's niece, Brianne got married last weekend, and we fortunate enough to receive an invitation to attend. Gerlyn's family has been so gracious in opening their arms to our family and including us in their lives and special events. Having family around has made our life in Texas so much nicer. The girls were rummaging though my sewing materials and found some fabric that I was saving to make them dresses for pretend play or some other event. It wasn't a project that I wanted to tackle right now, since I was in the middle of sewing Halloween costumes. However, the girls won me over and convince me to make them new dresses for the wedding. Thank goodness this was a fairly easy project that I completed in a few hours. The hard part of gathering the bodices was already done, so all I had to do was sew a seam down the back and add straps. I really liked how Elizabeth's dress turned out. The lady at the fabric store messed up cutting Ava's dress material, so her dress ended up being a little tight at the bottom. At least, the girls are pretty forgiving of any mistakes or imperfections in my sewing skills. They were quite happy with their new dresses. I was happy that they only cost $8. I didn't care if they crawled on the floor with them or spilled food or drink on them, which they managed to do all of the former.

The girls had a great time dancing, running around, and eating crackers and cake. Cousin Tyler took Eliabeth for a turn on the dance floor. She was quite impressed with his moves.

Pirates and Mermaids Halloween Party

Let the fun begin. I feel like the whole month of October has revolved around the kids. I have been coaching the girls T-ball team, shuttling them back and forth to dance/gymnastics class, helping them with school projects, sewing Halloween costumes, participating in play dates, and now the parties begin. One of these days I will get back to the gym and girls night out, but in the mean time, I am really having a blast doing specials things with and for the kids. On my Friday off from work, I took the kids to the Brooke Army Medical Center Auxiliary Halloween Party. It had a Pirates and Mermaids theme. Elizabeth and Casey cooperated in dressing up for the event, but not Ava. She didn't want to be a pirate or a mermaid, just "Ava." The kids enjoyed going on a treasure hunt, making crafts, and gorging themselves on sweet treats. Elizabeth also figured out how to apply temporary tattoos and covered herself in about six of them.