Trick and Trunk or Treating

It's finally Halloween. We have been enjoying the festivities for the past two nights. 

Fulton went as a Home Depot worker... make that Home Depot Manager. This was a last minute, thrown together costume because we went into meltdown mode while trying 

to put on the one we actually bought. 

We met Kiki and Pete at Hunter Street for the trunk or treat. 

We rounded up some of our sweet friends to tag along too. KK and Pop's Sunday School class had a booth, so we got to visit with them too. 

Yes, that's my child shoving the hot dog bun in his mouth while everyone else is smiling for the picture. 

It was packed... simply packed. Pops did stand in line with Fulton to do the bean bag toss, but other than that we just collected some candy and visited with people we hadn't seen in a while. 

Our little fam. 

Look it's the donkey that we were supposed to be. This afternoon I bribed him to put the donkey on just for a minute so I could at least take one picture. It's amazing what a little Smartie can do for a child that never has sugar. He quickly complied. 

But it was pretty hot, so we went back to our trusty Home Depot man. Some of our sweet friends came over to visit before we all headed out. 

I am a sucker for little ones in Halloween costumes. I don't like the scary ones though.

 Only fireflies and fairies for me. 

So we set off for our very first trick-or-treating experience. Fulton wasn't walking last year, so we stayed close to home. 

He followed Avery's lead and caught on quickly. 

The kids were wearing down and it was starting to sprinkle. Claire and I got the wagon, hit up a few more houses, and wheeled it back home. 

Meanwhile the boys stayed back and handed out the candy. We had a great night of fun and fellowship. 

Pumpkin Patch and More

We had another fun filled weekend.

 

Fulton went to the pumpkin patch with his school friends on Friday and he was pooped out by that night. We did stop and get a much needed hair cut on the way home Friday afternoon. We enjoyed a relaxing night in.

 





Saturday Fulton humored us and went back to the pumpkin patch, because you can say you went to the pumpkin patch, but unless you have the pictures to prove it, it's no good.

 



He was more enthused by walking on the pallets than anything else they had to offer.

 



This guy was full speed ahead the whole day.

 



He did sit still long enough for us to catch a quick train ride. We didn't leave before hitting up the baked goods first. Oh how I love me some homemade lemon bars. Matt went for the fried apple pie. We spent the rest of the day doing what I love best... being together as a family.

 



We had a great morning at church, home for naps, and then down to sweet Brynna's house for her 3rd birthday. Fulton was a little outnumbered with all the ladies, but it didn't stop him one bit.

 



 

We met KK and Pops for dinner and have another first to mark on our calendars. We had our very first Flinstones gummy vitamin. Woohoo. How exciting. He was a fan. He kept signing "more more" and saying it over and over. One a day buddy. 

Pumpkins Everywhere

I just love pumpkins. Sometimes I wish they would come around mid-May just to paint and carve them half way through the year. But they don't, so we will enjoy them while they last. 

Fulton and I were heading home from school one day last week and decided to stop and pick up a pumpkin. We had yet to buy a real one for the front porch. With my grand ole purchase, he got this cute little free pumpkin with stickers to decorate it with. He was proud of his pumpkin. 

It was a local church and they had multiple sizes of pumpkins and at the front you could see the sizes and how much they were. Well, it's hard to remember the sizes once you walk away, so wouldn't you know Fulton and I pick the largest, most expensive pumpkin they offer. 

Oh well, at least I was donating it to the church. 

We sat out in the driveway and I painted my pumpkin and he decorated his (with a little help from me so they eyes wouldn't be on the bottom). Daddy was surprised by our creations when he arrived home. 

Fulton has been making lots of pumpkins at school too. Our art wall had to be rearranged

 a bit to hold our of our Fall crafts. 

And last night we gathered with our small group (which isn't so small anymore--I love how our class is growing) to have our annual pumpkin carving. We tried to get a picture with all the kids. Still missing one and only Ford's arm is showing in this one, but it was a good attempt. 

Some pretty intense carvers at work. 

The Howard family went for simplicity. And one of Fulton's faves... Batman. 

Daddy did the work and we will enjoy looking at it. It always makes me sad when it 

loses its life and we have to chunk it. Happy Fall!!

A Day Well Spent

We woke up this morning a little too early. For the record, I absolutely cannot sleep late. My body is on some sort of fixed alarm clock and it just will not allow it. It's a good thing because...

This little guy decided he wasn't sleeping in either. We tried everything to get him to snuggle back in and he wasn't having it. Matt made him a little pallet in the floor to see if he would "watch" cartoons. Hah. This guy has zero interest in television. Which is fine, I mean I don't want him to be a tv junkie, but there's nothing wrong with easing into a Saturday morning with some cartoons. This little nap mat lasted about 2 minutes and he was up ready to go. 

I guess he was excited because we were heading to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama/Arkansas game. 

Ooh it was time to cook some hogs. 

Aunt Keri got Fulton his first Alabama jersey. Love it! 14 was Matt's number in football, so we are walking in daddy's footsteps. Maybe he will be a future linebacker like his daddy. Quarterback wouldn't be too shabby either. Mom and Sister are always hooking Fulton up with the best AL gear. You can never have too many game day outfits. 

The day started off with a drizzle, but warmed up, the sun came out and it was beautiful. 

We got to tailgate with the fam and some of sister's friends. I made a new recipe... mac n cheese bites. Oh they were so cute and delicious too. Made them with gluten free noodles so Pops could have them. 

KK and Pops love them some Fulton. 

And Kiki and Pete too. Matt and Kristen... who are they?!? 

This boy was wearing KK and Pops out. He was on the go all day. Most of the time he was seen running as fast as he could down the sidewalk, turning around every few seconds to grin and make sure you were chasing after him. Fun game for the one chasing him. 

Running and more running. 

Can I just go on a tangent here to say that I love boys!! When we found out we were having a boy, I though what will I do with a boy?! Oh my stars I just love little boys!! And this boy especially. Now, I would just as much love a little frilly girl one day too if the Lord allows it, but  my how I love some boys. They sure have a place in their momma's hearts. 

The whole crew. I am so blessed. I have an amazing family. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent eating, relaxing, and visiting. We were thrilled to see some old friends from Oxford stop by the tailgate that we haven't seen in a couple of years. Mom headed back with me while Matt stayed for the game with the rest of the fam. It was a great day tailgating. 

To Be a Planner

I have always been a planner. I like to try (keyword try) to have things in order and be organized. Up until this past summer I was a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal when it came to cooking dinner at night. I haven't quite perfected this whole "working full time, come home and try to prepare a healthy delicious meal for your family while spending quality time with your fam" all at the same time. 

This summer I started meal planning. It's way more fun and exciting when you have the time to do it. I love to cook for my family. I can't say that it's always been that way, but here's the catch. I love to cook for my family when I have it planned out. There's nothing more that I dread (ok, maybe the dentist), than coming home from work and not have anything planned to cook. Ugh... those are the nights that it ends up being stressful and not so healthy. So, I found these cute meal planning sheets, because something cute will motivate me more, and I hope to get myself even more organized for the week ahead. On a very important side note, I have an AMAZING husband that will cook anytime he beats me home. And even when he doesn't beat me home, he jumps right in and helps even before he takes his tie off. Oh and he cleans the kitchen too. Like I said, he is amazing. Now, here's to happy meal planning. 

Is it Really This Warm?

It was a great Saturday, but a hot day. Is it really still in the mid 80's in October? We had one cool (teaser) day last week and now it's back to the shorts. 

We headed out the to the Mt. Laurel Festival. I guess this has been going on for years, but I found out about this little gem 2 years ago when I was home on maternity leave. You know, the good ole days, where I could watch the news and keep up with what's going on in the world.

Festivals seem to mark the beginning of Fall for me. When everyone gets out the pumpkins, mums,

 and hay barrels. Bring on the candy corn. 

We roped Kiki and Pete into coming with us. KK and Pops were slaving away
at the lake, we missed them. 

This little guy has a love for firetrucks right now. They had one there and he was in awe. Couldn't even stand still and keep his tongue in because he was so giddy. 

From there we headed to Tree Top Family Adventure. Sister bought a groupon and we were right there near it and decided to cash it in. None of us had ever been there so we had no idea what to expect. First up, the go carts. This was Fulton's first experience. A little freaked out at first. He thought Matt was going to buckle him in and leave him. 

I did get a little nervous feeling in my stomach as Matt drove away with him on this crazy adventure. If only I had had his bike helmet in the car I would have made him wear it. 

He loved it!! He has a little wild adventurous side in him like his daddy... definitely

 doesn't take after his wimpy momma. 

Fulton played some more inside while the guys found a great spot on the comfy couches to watch football. We had some Mexican for lunch and headed to the house. We spent the afternoon playing with some of our neighbors. Sweet Claire and I watched our friend Ashley's kiddos for her while she had something. With their kids, plus mine and Claires, we had 5 at one point. Wewh! 

This little guy (no clothes and all) is currently cheering on our Tide with daddy! Roll Tide!