Guitar Center

This is another old post I was working on and never finished....We took Ethan to Guitar Center last month to check out some drums. He was in heaven. We got him some drumsticks and he went to town! I think Mondo was on the verge of actually buying him a drumset but he decided to wait. Come back and check out this post a few years down the road when he's a rock star!

"But Dad, it's only $179!" No, he really didn't say that but he would've loved to have it.

Family Fun Night at Church

I actually started this post about a month ago and never finished it. This is from Family Fun night at the new activity center at church. It was the kick-off for the new Sunday night format for the young families class. It was loads of fun. There was a bouncy house, bouncy slide, burgers, hotdogs, and football. Can't go wrong with that combo. Ethan didn't want to leave and Caleb actually went to a few stangers. I was shocked! It was a nice break from having to hold him all the time.

The future of Turnpike...Zane, Darcy, Maddie, Vance, Maggie, and Caleb.

Action shot. He probably went down this slide 200 times.

Playing in the bouncy Superman obstacle course.

That's Mondo holding Caleb with Ethan next to him...and Ashlyn sliding.


He was so hot but would only stop for a short drink before he was off to the bouncy slide again.

Look at his little sweat ring on his neck.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to our first Pumpkin Patch last week and had lots of fun. It was quite a treck to Flowermound but it was worth it. Especially because it is all free! There were bouncy houses/slides, hayrides, and tons of photo ops which my children were not into. All Ethan wanted to do was play in the bouncy houses. It was cool in the morning so he had on jeans but he got hot pretty quick and refused to put on the shorts I brought for him. That's why he's so red-faced in all of these pics. Next time we'll skip the jeans. Caleb had as much fun as he could have being held and sitting in the stroller. It was one time I wished he could walk. I was actually glad he had on jeans so he could crawl around in the pumpkins. I don't even think Ethan realized there were pumpkins there. Maybe we'll go back and try again sometime...with Mondo's help. It got a little crazy about an hour after we were there and the buses of kids arrived. I kept losing Ethan as he would run bouncy house to bouncy house. Then he literally got trampled on one by some big kids who shouldn't have been on it. I couldn't find him then I saw him being pulled out by one of the workers and he was screaming and crying for me...so sad. He suddenly looked so tiny. Poor baby cried all the way to the car. But it was all for the best because I was ready to leave. Anywho, here are lots of pics:

Ethan, Caleb, Will, and Maggie. Caleb is the anti-smiler for pictures unless he's at home.

This was the best I could get of the two of them. Ethan said there was something in his eye. I think he just wanted to go back to the bouncy house.

He's always grabbing his ears...maybe it's time for another hair cut.

Group hug! (totally spontaneous by the way) I think Caleb was about to eat Maggie's hand.


The top of this says "This fall I'm this tall." But I accidently cut that part off. I was trying to get the picture before he ran off.

He probably wanted to eat one of those little pumpkins.

He was super excited about riding on these animals.

I was suprised he wasn't scared of this horse.

Again, no smile.

Look at all those pumpkins...and Ethan didn't even care about them. I had visions of him running through the fields of pumpkins...oh well.

I couldn't believe he wouldn't smile when he was with his favorite "Kung Fu Panda" pals. Caleb was interested in the hay and pumpkins.

There were so many of these cut outs and photo opportunities but he was not interested. He kept saying, "Can I go play now?"

Halloween Land

Every year the grandkids decorate my mother's enclosed patio with the theme of the season. Right now you will find "Halloween Land" as the kids call it. They are all types of annoying musical stuffed things, spiderwebs, etc. I think this may have been decorated since early September. Just wait till you see "Santa Land"...you're in for a treat!

It's more impressive with the lights off. What a great Nana and Papa to let the kids destroy, I mean, decorate their house.

Caleb is starting to understand the fun of Halloween Land. He likes to chew on the little pumpkins. I took a short video below to show the annoying, I mean, cute stuffed musical animals.

Professional Pics

We FINALLY had some professional pics done of the boys. We promised Ethan a prize if he listened and behaved...worked like a charm. He cheezed it up the whole time...all for a little plastic gorilla and cheetah from Rainforest Cafe. Caleb, on the other hand, doesn't take to bribery yet. It took him a while to warm up to having his picture taken by a stranger. We were practically standing on our heads to get him to smile. We got a few almost smiles but not big toothy ones...maybe next time. Here are a few of the many pictures.....

Go Express!

Ethan had his first T-Ball game on Saturday. Their team name is "Express". He did awesome, of course. It was a little too hot and halfway through the kids were literally laying on the ground (in the middle of the field) and asking for water. I think Ethan wanted to run and play more than he wanted to listen to the direction of coach Eric. Mondo and a few other parents had to jump in and literally get on base to help the kids know where to run. As Eric put it, it's like trying to herd cats. And it's hilarious to watch. Enjoy the pics!

Tyler, Will, EthanThanks for this pic Summer!
Daddy giving him some coaching on what to do next.
I love how both feet are perfectly on base.

There's my little number 7!

Taking a Capri Sun break.

Caleb had to entertain himself in the grass. Mommy couldn't hold him anymore!

This was after the game. They sat together and had snacks. There is no winning or losing in T-ball. Everyone gets to hit and run bases. I dread the day when we have to teach him about losing and see tears!