Hunting!!

Yep, I'm behind again.  I know it's hard to believe! We have been so busy the last couple of weeks. When we aren't traveling, that time is used to get things done at home. At least we're blessed enough to have places to travel!

To catch up, I wanted to post on an event that took place a little before Thanksgiving. Being from Southern Illinois, deer season is just as exciting as Christmas. So, now that Brad has a place to hunt, we head down to my parents for the weekend. The boys were super excited about hunting this year. Not sure they really get the idea but they loved to dress like Papaw and Daddy and pretend. Mason actually headed out with my Dad for a little bit one afternoon and he swears he shot a deer. Thanks to my dad for taking him out, not sure Mason would have made it another day/night of not sleeping thinking he would miss the hunt! Anyway, here are a few photos of my future hunters. I think they're awfully cute!

I guess I should add that Brad and Dad actually each got a deer this year. Do I have pics of that, NO! Guess I thought these guys were more photogenic :)

Yep, we even brought our own guns and ammunition!

 Oh, and we couldn't forget our hunting ORANGE!!!

(thanks Dad!)

Max loved to pose with his rifle!

Bunk Beds and Christmas Box Drop-off

So, it finally came to the time to move Max out of his crib. He is 2 1/2 so I guess it's about time. He was also wanting to spend more time in Mason's bed and a little more reluctant to use his. Plus, Mason was growing out of his toddler bed. Everyday we had to re-tuck in his sheets from the night before. Thus, came the long debate on what to do about the sleeping situation.  Do we get Mason a big bed and move Max to his old one? Do we get two twin beds? Oh the dilemma!!! Sooo...the search for beds was on!  Well, thanks to Craig's list we found a pretty good deal on a bunk bed. I must say, despite my nervous feelings over Mason climbing stairs and Max being in a big bed both boys are doing GREAT.  They both love it!!!  Max has stayed in his bed all night and Mason has had no trouble with the stairs. Plus, it's nice having a little extra space in their room! Sad for this momma though, my boys are not babies anymore and we have moved on to a big boys room!

Our work in progress.

Mason showing off. Max is a little camera shy like daddy :)

Enjoying the view!

Also this week, we dropped off our box to send overseas to a little boy about the boys' age for Christmas. Thanks to a friend of mine for posting about the organization. It's great! You can pack a shoebox full of appropriate age gifts and track over the Internet which country it ends up. I thought it would be a great time to start teaching the boys a little about giving, being that they have the receiving thing down! Max was a little too little to really understand the idea but I think Mason got the point. He did such a good job picking out things for the box. I was really proud of both of them!

Ready for drop-off!

Happy Halloween

I absolutely LOVE this time of year. The fall weather, changing leaves, football season. The boys love it (I think) because of Halloween. They are totally amazed that you can walk up to different houses and get candy!  And, that is actually okay to ask for it :) I have to admit I do love seeing them all dressed up and walking around with their goody bags. Mason couldn't decide whether he was going to be an army man or fireman. Well, once he saw Max was going to be a fireman the decision was made. Fireman it is! The only drawback this year was that both boys came down with pink eye. YUCK!  This kind of stopped us from a few things we had planned to do but we still got a little trick-or-treating in!

My little firemen

With the neighbors. Notice the space between kids, no contamination here!

This Halloween stuff is hard work!

(At least we know Mason's outfit has regulation striping)

It's Flying Time

We recently headed out to the Noblesville Fly-In. These are really fun I have to admit. Different airports host these fly-in's with lunch and an afternoon looking at all kinds of different plans. I have a feeling we will be participating in many more fly-in's in our future!

Fly-In's are exhausting!

AppleWorks

This Saturday we headed down to AppleWorks in Trafalger. I love this place. It is an apple orchard and pumpkin patch all in one. During the fall they have an entire set-up with a petting zoo, hay pyramid, horse riding, outdoor play area and train rides. Not to mention tractor rides that take you out to a huge pumpkin patch. We got out early to try to avoid the crowds and by the time we left at noon I think both the boys and Brad were ready to go. I just love it because there is so much to do outside in the lovely fall weather. And, I think the boys like it too.  What was their favorite thing? The tractor ride to find pumpkins of course! Thanks to our neighbors for hanging out with us on a great fall day!

LOVE this view. Can I put a house right where I standing?

And, we're off!

Petting zoo!!!

Pumpkin Patch!

Love these guys 

One of my favorite pictures of the day

Trying to get a picture of the boys together. Not such an easy task!

Emma and Mason. Crazy kiddos.

Silly boy

Mason's Finished Product

It's not time to carve the pumpkins yet but I thought this might tide him over.  He spent almost 30 minutes painting his pumpkin. My budding artist.

Dairy Days 2011

Yes, you read that right, Dairy Days. That's the name of the fall festival in my home town, Norris City, every year.  I actually have always loved this time of the year and when younger, really looked forward to this two day weekend festival.  It's not too shabby for a small town if I do say so myself.  This is the first year I have been back for the festival since the boys were born.  Don't really know why except that we always seemed to be busy.  Anyway, this year was the perfect year to start back.  The boys LOVED it.  What more can you ask for as a kid than festival food, rides and a parade at which you can get candy.  Oh, did I also mention how cool it is to have a grandpa that is in charge of the fire department so you get to ride a fire truck in the parade.  From what I'm told, Mason only wanted to be in charge of the sirens and Max was fully occupied by waving hello to everyone.  Brandi and Parker even made it down for the event which made the time even more special.  The boys are already wanting to go back. What are they going to do when they realize the next time we visit Grandma and Grandpa there will not be a parade or rides?  I'm sure they'll be okay :)

 Max enjoying a car ride with friends!

Motorcycle man

So the morning before the parade Mason and Max helped Papaw wash the fire truck. Unfortunately it rained that morning but that didn't stop them!

Enjoying playing in the puddles.

PARADE TIME!!

 Parker enjoying the parade.  She wasn't sure about riding in the fire truck so she hung out with her coolest aunt!!

Aunt Brandi and the boys!