Picking Pumpkins

Every year we head up to the "pumpkin church"to get our pumpkins.  This year we got to bring Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Mike.  This may have been the most fun the boys have had, it's certainly some of the best pictures we've ever gotten!

 This is also our most expensive pumpkin year, hmmm

Customary family pic, one year, I'll line them up year by year

Kindergarten Field Trip

Andrew's class took their first field trip to a pumpkin farm about an hour outside of Atlanta.  Andrew's teacher and one of his classmates rode with us, and we learned that Ms. Stacey is also from Northville, MI, holy small world!

 First stop, hayride

 The boys in search of a good mini-pumpkin

 Shh, we're watching the bees pollinate the flowers

 Clairmont Presbyterian Kindergarten, class of 2014

 The highlight of the day - the Jumpy Pillow

 and of course, the pipe slide

Good memories for a good day!

Parktoberfest

We've had quite a few crazy weekends, and we finally had a fairly quiet one, so we decided to hit up a local fall festival.  Paid admission got the adults unlimited beer, and it got the kids unlimited games.  Everybody wins!!

 Our little skeleton

To the moon on his rocket ship

Greek Festival 2013

We made our annual trek to the Greek Festival with the Brautigan Family!  The grown-ups have gyros and baklava sundaes, the kids go on questionable carney rides!

 I want to throw up watching them, and I'm seriously waiting for one of my children to do the same

Sadly we could not find the cardboard cutouts to have Brian and Dave stick their heads in for our annual fat lady photo.  Oh well, there's always next year!!

Chattanooga

We had been planning all summer to take a family trip to Chattanooga, and we finally got there at the end of August.  We had a great time at the Children's Museum & the Aquarium!

 playing in the water area

 we built this, then knocked it over

 sometimes we forget that just because Andy loves something, Matt is not always a fan (see later pics)

 not sure who is having more fun playing scientist

 listening for the ocean

 smile

 the boys could dig for fossils for days

he might be a little into the drama

 he might be a little more into behind the scenes

 you can actually face paint yourself (parents need to relax)

 Matt conquered his fear of the ropes course

 squirting water (and your brother) is so much fun

 back at ya, Matt

 Our one family photo, someone is a little disappointed b/c he can't wait to go outside to try the giant bubble maker

 Mom & Dad found a fun beer festival down by the river

Andrew is saying, you mean we're out here sweating, you're drinking, and all we get is funnel cake?

 So happy the boys have my love of touch tanks (their shirts were soaked)

 Raarrr! Poor Matt wanted nothing to do with the shark tank

 duh, nuh, duh, nuh, coming to get you Andy

After leaving the aquarium we went to see a 3D IMAX about Great Whites (yikes)!!

Some September Fun

There's always something wild and crazy going on in this house.  We're seeing what it's like to be able to do things as a family without worrying about naps and bottles and diapers.

 Matthew seems to be fighting bedtime, so we often hear him roaming around upstairs, and falling asleep in different places (ie - Andy's bed)

 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are making a comeback

 It may have been pouring at the superhero action dash, but that didn't stop us from dressing up and running the 1 mile fun run

 oh, this house of boys

Andrew moved up to U-6 soccer this fall, here he is in action in his first game

he scored 2 goals and had a blast

First Days of School 2013

Matthew started his 5 day 3 year old class (Lions) at the end of August

 Andrew started half day kindergarten a week later

his Iron-Man pose (he's on Andrew's backpack)

Matt was such a big boy, hopping out of the car at carpool, and never looking back!  Andrew and I got to spend a week together, something we haven't done since he was a baby!  I am so proud of my big boys, and so excited to see all the fun things they will experience this year!

End of Summer Fun 2013

We have had an awesome summer!  I was worried at the beginning that it was going to be rough keeping these two entertained, but we have had a blast.  This is our last summer before we're in public school, so we had all of August to keep busy!

 We checked out "Cat in the Hat" at the Center for Puppetry Arts

 Matthew finally conquered his fear of bounce houses

(ever try to get a non-blurry picture at one of these places?)

 Mom got brave one day and we had water balloon fights

 Jumping in the foam pit

 "washing" Dad's truck (they're throwing the sponge at the truck)

 Children's museum had an awesome 50 states exhibit

 Digging for fossils (Andrew has a serious interest in archaeology)

 We can't forget the tap dancing area (I blame Uncle Denis for this - superstar)

 It wouldn't be summer without popsicles

 Everyone puts their new underwear on their head first, right??

 Learning the finer points of fountains while visiting Uncle Chris & Uncle Nick in Huntsville

 Legoland!!!

Last day of summer: playing the in Olympic fountains with the new ferris wheel in the background

We have had a lot of fun together this summer.  I can see them getting bigger, and wanting to hang out with their friends, but for now I'm gonna enjoy it.  I know it's gonna be quiet around here for the next few weeks (months)!