Halloween Triple Play

Our Halloween triple play consisted of Jackson's Halloween party on Thursday, our family pumpkin carving Friday night, Boo at the Zoo Saturday morning and trunk or treat Saturday night. Jackson is Super Snap-- a Super hero from an episode of Backyardigans. And Drew, also a superhero, Superman.

I got to help with Jackson's first preschool party. It was great! We did a spide theme and had bobbin' for spiders out of the cauldron, spider whoopie pies for snack, made spider webs, and spiders, and played spider spider fly (Duck duck goose).




Jackson's preschool class. Front row (Kamryn, Maddy, Willow, Helen, Tess. Back row (Jackson, Grayden, Jack, Hank, Ms Patty, Dane).

Jackson loving Spider, spider, fly! He loves racing and running.

We took a few pictures with Adam's iphone, but only one with the camera. Jackson was excited to pick a pumpkin from the 5 Little Pumpkins book for us to carve. It's been one of Drew's favorite books and Jackson can say it by himself by memory. Neither of the boys enjoyed cleaning it out much. Too dirty and messy for their liking.

Boo at the Zoo was fun a fun family activity. They had lots of little trick or treat tables from different businesses and volunteers. They had a couple activities and a hayride for the kids. It was a cool morning and our friend Bunni Watts had given me a couple of costumes a couple days before to use in case it was cold. It worked out perfect so I could keep their costumes nice for trunk or treat and trick or treat. Jackson was amazing at keeping his hood on the entire time. Never asked to take it off. He liked dressing up as a lion. And of course Drew wouldn't even let us put his cute turtle hood on.




We got home from the zoo, took a long nap and got up in time to grab dinner and get dressed up and go. Drew hasn't been feeling great with a bad cold and cough, so sadly, I didn't catch one picture of this superhero without his binki and mickey. Such as it goes. By the end of the night some Tylenol had kicked in and he was flying high running around the parking lot being as darling as he could be. For the first time since we made the costume in September he left his cape on the entire time. I was in awe.

Then you have Super Snap who loves to pose and be a ham.



Superman with his sippy cup of milk, mickey and binki. He is quite a combo.
Jackson and Hailey have become good friends. We have had her over for a playdate and gone to the zoo a couple of times. She even helped to drop us off at the airport when we went to KY a few weeks ago. They are too cute!
Dylan and Jackson have become great pals as well. They were together a good portion of the night and were the last of the kids to leave the parking lot as the 2 superheros were still running and racing around.
One of our favorite couples here in Kansas city, Kermit and Miss Piggy! I mean, Lindsey and Brett.

Drew's first Trick or treat stop.

Fall Break!

Kansas is home for now, and I truly have been happy with the transition and excitement of a new city. Though, me and the boys got to go back to KY and being with friends and family reminded me of what it felt like to "be home". It was a wonderful trip and we crammed the best of the best into our week.

Is it legal to claim a fall break even though I haven't been in school where a fall break was issued for over 10 years...? Doesn't really matter. I created one and it was FANTASTIC! Honestly, I went to KY for a week because it simply sounded like a fun thing to do. Not because I was depressed and couldn't handle it any longer, not because I am a die hard Time Out For Women Fan, not because I have nothing on schedule. It was just because it sounded fun and we were able to figure out a way to make it work. It was perfect. (Minus the fact Adam had to stay in KS).


I have been pleasantly surprised by the fall in KS. It has has been beautiful and has reminded me of KY. Though there is nothing like driving up our hill and driveway in Morehead and seeing the beauty of my childhood backyard. The timing was perfect. And to add the cherry on top, the 3 of us wore our KY blue the first day we were home--felt like we never even left!


So grateful for my mom! Words don't do her justice! Only if you know her can you realize what a lucky girl I am to be her daughter. So glad we are so close and have such a wonderful relationship. She was great to be flexible and as always does her best to make things work for everyone. She treated me and her 2 daughter-in-laws to Time Out for Women in Cincinnati. We had a swell time and took lots of tid bits away from the presenters that are already changing and shaping the person I want to become. The four of us had a swell time shopping before the Friday night session began! I don't remember the last time I had multiple hours in a row to shop for myself and try things on in a dressing room! It was a miracle and good time!
It was pretty funny on Saturday morning when we woke up and the 3 of us all had white cardigans to wear. I'm a lucky gal that my brothers picked such great girls to marry and that makes girls weekends so fun!




One of the highlights of the weekend was seeing so many wonderful ladies that were in my former ward! LOVE THESE WOMEN!! The feelings were bittersweet as I had starting thinking maybe the people in KS were pretty good. Then when I reunited with such close friends I was reminded of all that I have still left behind. These women of faith and service changed my life forever and will always hold a special place in my heart!!!


Bishop Blodgett. Bishop Blodgett was released as Bishop a couple of weeks ago after serving for nearly 9 years in the Tates Creek Ward . He recently accepted a new position as COO ACS Europe (Chief of Operations Europe) which will take his residence to London, England.
After serving as a Relief Society President with him for 2 years I was blessed to see his diligence, dedication, and sacrifice that he offered as a Bishop to further the work of the Lord in the Tates Creek Ward. He enlarged my vision of how fruitful and efficient a ward can be, and heightened my capacity to lead and serve. Because of the disciple of Jesus Christ that he is, I know I will be a better one. He and his amazing and talented wife will be sorely missed! I was so grateful that they squeezed me and let me drop by for one last goodbye before they head to England! Saving my pennies in hopes of visiting them sometime in the next 2 years!
The incredible lady that Angela Bylund is, had the idea of compiling a book of memories for Bishop to take with him. She contacted as many of the individuals and families that she could that were ever in the Tates Creek Ward and asked them to send in a family photo and a message about how Bishop touched their lives. Angela received 115 entries and it turned out to be 78 pages long. So awesome.


Sunday afternoon was lovely! We had a family dinner with the Lexington Bylund's and the Lexington Reynolds in Morehead. It was so fun to watch Jackson and Ashley play together and I LOVED seeing cute Graying walking around, playing, and asking for more brownie please with his signing!

Could we put this on a Hallmark card please?

Monday was a low key day with the kids playing outside and a playdate with the Barnett's. Always love spending time with Kally-- How did we not take a picture with each other?

Grandpa Bob (aka Grandpa Chicken at our house) deserves the BIGGEST shout out of all!!! He took my kids while I was at Time out for Women so I could enjoy the weekend kid free and still be able to bring them to KY. was a rockstar!! The boys had a great time and I was so grateful that he watched them with a smile and gave them everything they needed. Thanks so much Dad!

Tuesday mom and I headed to Lexington in the morning and had the boys pictures taken in their Halloween costumes at JC Penny. Then we headed Jon and Angelas for naptime for the boys and I took off and visited with some Lexington friends. That night sweet Yvonne took me and boys out to dinner at Fazoli's and she gave the boys oodles of Halloween treats, Cars cars, and suckers the size of their heads!:) It was such a fun evening!


Jackson wanted to sit by Sister Allen and every now and then he would scoot close to her and give her a cuddle. It was priceless.

Wednesday was preschool for Ashley, and several of Jackson's old friends including Greg Dickens. Ang was sweet to make sure Jackson felt welcome by singing the church "Hello" song and letting him teach the class the Weather Watcher song.

It was letter "I" at preschool and one of the activities was to make ice cream. Jackson and Ashley shaking their ice cream with their gloves on.

Love that Amber and Greg Dickens!!! Miss you guys to pieces. So good to visit and catch up.

Wednesday afternoon arrived and we headed to the Reynolds to visit, nap and get ready to take off for the airport.

This may sound bizarre to some, but honestly, one of the funnest parts of the trip was being at the airport by myself with the 2 boys. And I promise, I'm not being sarcastic! The boys are so acclimated to flying that they have the routine down to a T with check-in, security, and boarding. They are amazing. There are those proud mommy moments over and over as people stare, smile and tell me how cute my boys are, how we must have done this before, and how brave they think I am. What they don't know is that I have the best boys in the world and there is nothing about being brave! At least for this trip, I pulled off not being stressed despite both flights having an arrival time of midnight, Jackson having a poopy accident at the Louisville airport 1/2 hour before boarding without a change of clothes, and a weeks worth of being off schedule. The boys were honestly amazing! It was so fun to have them board in front of me with their suitcase backpacks in tow, dressed alike, and everyone with all smiles as they both pass down the center airplane isle. It sure makes the flying experience different with kids when you are actually enjoying it! Love my boys.

Hugs!

Sweet sweet boys.


Often Jackson will just go up to Drew and give him a big hug. Most the time Drew hugs back. Drew is the snuggle bug of the two and I adore that! Jackson has since picked up on how much attention Drew gets because he snuggles and has become more so in recent months.



Granted. He comes back again and hugs him so long that Drew falls over Drew tries pushing him away and then starts screaming. It's a beautiful thing...:)


Drew:
LOVES 5 Little Pumpkins sitting on a gate, Train and airplane books. And books in general.

Loves to be outside and swing and go down the slide. Always the first one to go down the stairs off our deck and venture into the back yard.

Starting to talk a ton! Most used word "Yeah". Some of my favorites have been when he busted out with "Yummy" and "Yep". I hear "I 'ant down" or "I 'ant that" Sometimes he will still sign please or thank you because he refuses to say it, though he does say them a fair amount. Often he Jackson will say, "Drew, I'm going to leave and you are going to stay here, right?" and Drew responds "Riiiight". and watches Jackson run away. So cute.

LOVES water. "Wah Wah". Fountains, puddles, lakes, ponds, bathtub and a drink. Loves anything water.

He is obsessed with Choo Choo's! He loves and adores anything train. He has become quite skilled at putting tracks together and connecting the magnetic trains together.

He is learning his colors and seems to show preference to green for now.

Hates getting his diaper changed.
Hates getting his pictures taken.
Really doesn't like his Halloween cape.


Jackson:
Jackson, with awe in his eyes, told me yesterday "Mom, one of my friends said they have bunkbeds. Maybe, when me and Drew get even bigger, WE could get bunkbeds!"

He names everything "Friend____." Friend vacuum, Friend Dump Truck, Friend Van are a few of the most popular.

While we were watching one of the General Conference sessions I asked him to do something, he looked at me and said "Mom, I am watching conference. I can't do everything at once."

His favorite FHE lessons are when we all act out a scripture story. He can tell the story of the first vision, and the account of Joseph finding the golden plates.He knows King Darious and that the lions become friendly lions when Daniel is in the Den. He'll tell you Lamen and Lamuel did not want to help build the boat.

He heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir playing on my itunes and asked if I was watching General Conference. Amazing to me that he recognized the sounds of the music and associated it with General Conference.

He loves to bear his testimony at church.

While racing he has an entire saga--- Gentle cars, start your engines! On your mark, get set, go!! (Then peels out). He also enjoys putting on his brakes.

"Calling all cars".

Loves playing pretend right now. Pretend mom and dad. Pretend Thomas and Percy on Island Sodor. Pretend drive though etc.

Sporting Kansas City!

We have loved having season tickets to the MLS soccer team Sporting Kansas City. We went as a family on Friday night to the game and had a great time. The boys did awesome. Though the favorite part hands down was the free bobble heads we got. So random. Jackson wanted to take his to bed with him when we got home. He has us ask the bobble head all kinds of questions and totally cracks up every time the bobble head shakes his head yes or no. The Reece's Pieces were also a hit. I think they watched the ball a couple of times which was a bonus:)

Halftime. Putting the Livestrong bracelet on the Bobble head.
Jackson being totally entertained with the bobble head while Adam continues to watch the game intently. Please note, Drew is holding his own bobble head as well.


Sweet Drew always looking to see what Brother is doing. Look closely at their shoes. Yes. They are slip on brown and white soccer ball shoes. I totally heart them.

Can't get enough of these boys! No it wasn't sunny. Jackson wanted his sunglasses, because Adam and I both grabbed our regular glasses before leaving home because we needed to be able to see the game. So Jackson wanted his "glasses". I was impressed he left them on for so long.




PS: Lexington KY needs to get an MLS soccer team. I'm just sayin'.


Another PS: Jackson's new favorite question to ask me is "Mom, what can you do for me?".