Welcome Fall!

I love Fall. I love the change in the weather and the smell in the air and the fact that Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner, which means that Christmas is coming! Crazy, I know. First things first, we've got pumpkins and scarecrows to welcome visitors and are gearing up for a big Halloween Birthday Bash at the end of the month to celebrate the boys' birthdays!

For now, see if you can tell what's different from the first picture to the second (aside from the Fall decor):

Yep, we've now got the shutters on the upstairs window that were supposed to be there all along. The builder somehow forgot to put them on when they built the house. Sean thought it was silly of me to make a big deal about it, but we had that shutter coming to us and by golly, I wanted it! Personally, I think it looks very nice.

Sick!

Both boys were sick last week and I got to play nurse at home. Poor Davis had a fever, vomiting and diarrhea for about 24 hours and then was fine. He bounced back quickly, thanks to lots of Popsicles and Bear Blankie (update: Bear Blankie has had some old-age difficulties and is needing his head re-attached to his blankie body. And we can't seem to find BB #2, in the meantime. Things could get ugly around here.)

Carter then got sick with a 103.2 fever and decreased appetite that continued for three days. We finally took him to the pediatrician and sure enough, he tested positive for Strep Throat right away. He was feeling better after 24 hours of antibiotics, but unfortunately missed three days of school. Hopefully we are all healthy for a while!

Boys Busy Baking

Baking with Boys: 101
Step 1: have the boys help you mix all ingredients
Step 2: let Carter roll out the dough and have the boys cut out cookie shapes
Step 3: re-cut the cookies after the boys are distracted doing something else
Step 4: wait patiently (or not so patiently) while the cookies bake
Step 5: get as much icing in your mouth while mom cleans up the mess & hope she doesn't notice

Basement Full O' Fun

What do you get when you cross an old tent, 600 plastic balls and an inflatable pool? Total awesomeness! Thanks to Sean, we have our own personal ball pit in the basement and apparently, it was a big hit. He set it up over the weekend and the boys played down there forever. Too bad I hate camping. This tent is huge!

We threw the climber in for good measure...all we need now is some fake green grass and we'll have the perfect Winter playground!

Royal Gorge Railroad

On Monday we boarded the Royal Gorge Railroad for a two-hour train ride in their Vista Dome car. It was awesome! We had fun exploring the train and enjoying the beautiful scenery. I think we will be doing this again in a few years! As Mimi said, I don't know who was more excited about the train...Carter or Sean!

Getting ready to ride!

Mimi & Davis getting cozy.

View of our seats inside train.

Enjoying a Bloody Mary.

Mama's boy!

Looking up at the bridge we crossed the day before. See why I was scared?!

Outside on the open-air car.

Loved their glassware.

Carter looking out at the river rafters.

Mommy & Carter

Carter got car shoes, just like the ones Aunt Sister got Davis!

My favorite boys!

The Royal Gorge

We took a mini-vacation to the Royal Gorge while Mimi & Grampy were visiting. I went as a child almost 30 years ago and remember being terrified as my parents made me walk across that bridge. I had a huge fear of heights and still do. But, this trip not only made me face my fear (I successfully crossed the bridge!) but reminded me of how vacation memories with family are some of my fondest from childhood...I love that we are creating that with our boys. Thanks Mimi & Grampy for going with us and helping make this such a fun trip!

Getting ready to ride the carousel.

Loving the painted ponies!

Sean got on a wild one!

Mom held my hand as I crossed the bridge, just as she and my Dad did the first time around. I'm pretty sure my palms were sweating.

Here we go!

Having a snack on the other side of the bridge.

We met up with some real Cow Pokes!

And visited a Tee Pee.

Sean was fearless on the bridge. I can't understand it.

Sean took this one from the bridge.

You can barely see the red speck of the gondola in the upper left. Scary!!!!

All Aboard!

I took this photo for Sean's business cards.

Riding the little train...getting ready for the big train on Monday!

Grampy had the great idea that we take Skyline Drive back to our hotel. It was steep and narrow, but amazing views from the top.

So glad Sean was driving instead of me!

Mimi entertaining the boys back at the hotel while we waited for the pizza to be delivered. I was getting dizzy just watching them!

Grandparent Visit #2

Mimi & Grampy came for a visit over Labor Day weekend and brought us tons of produce from their garden. They got to see Carter's school and go to a car cruise with old cars AND go on a mini-vacation with us to Canon City!

Davis enjoying some grilled corn on the cob. Messy, but worth it!

Grampy the Grillmaster of veggies--yum!

Davis and Grampy

Carter showing Grampy & Mimi his scooter skills