Pumpkins Past and Present

Barrett's favorite from two years ago:

My favorite from last year:

And this year's pumpkin:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

A Name?

Of course now that the baby is almost here, we are asked all the time what we're going to name him. When I respond "I don't know," I usually get an apology. Something like, "Oh, I'm sorry...you like to keep it a secret." Not at all....we really just have no idea! So sometimes I'll throw one around for a while to see how I like it and my kids usually give me their two cents too.

The other day, I had called maintenance because our alarm system was beeping. The fix-it guy came and fixed the system while we were out and about. He's a great guy...sort of looks like the quintessential maintenance man...very slender, has a mustache, and a nice mullet. He has a very southern way about him...a nice slow drawl and always calls everyone "honey".

Anyway, later that day as I was getting ready to run another errand, I asked the girls to get their shoes on. They went over to the basket by the door to get their shoes and there were coats stacked on top of the basket. So Kate said, "Mom! Why did you put these on the shoes?" It took me a second to figure out how they'd gotten there and then I realized the alarm system thing is in our coat closet, so I told Kate, "Oh, Jimmy must have taken those out when he was here." She sat there for a minute and said, "Jimmy...is that a boy name?" I told her it was indeed. She very seriously said, "We should name our baby brother Jimmy." I just about died laughing. Name Anna after me, Kate after her grandma and name the baby after the maintenance man...very clever Miss Kate. What do you think Joni? You know Jimmy!

So, any suggestions?

"I Don't Know Why You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello!"

That was the song I had in my head this morning when I looked down at my ankles. I say "hi" to them in the morning....and then they're gone by the end of the day. I miss them. My OB asked what it was with women and their love affair with their ankles. I don't know, but I wish they'd stick around more often. 4 1/2 weeks.....

(Sorry, I know feet are icky.)

Family Outing

Early in the week Barrett had a few days off for fall break. He also had a voucher to a golf course not far away and so he took the girls for an outing on Monday...and then again on Tuesday...and then we ALL went out on Wednesday. It was the most spectacular weather and we had a great time bouncing around in the golf cart together. I didn't take any swings with the club, but enjoyed just "hanging out" with the family snapping pictures.

It really is fun to watch Barrett play. He's good, but doesn't like to say as much.

Does this look familiar? I'm remembering big wheels. Hmmm, do they like me? Kate was so sweet. She was genuinely worried and started yelling "watch out mama!" If you look at the picture bigger, you can see the concern in her eyes. Anna seems to be enjoying herself. Typical.

Anna raced us on foot to the green. She looked so cute! I took this shot from a bouncing golf cart while laughing. The little munchkin beat us!

Celebrating her victory at the flag.

Barrett, making faces at the girls.

We rounded a bend and saw this gorgeous scene. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Creepy Jim

Last night I was reading the girls a story, Dr. Seuss's "Hop on Pop". I wasn't paying too much attention to anything, just reading the words, until I got to this page:

And then Anna said "there's creepy Jim," and so I looked more closely:

Seriously, is there a more appropriate word to describe this character?
He's creepy!

Pumpkin Heads

The weather is still very warm (and humid!) here, so to celebrate fall (since the trees don't seem to be) we went to the pumpkin patch. Let's just say I was very grateful to be on the countdown when I realized my midsection was dwarfing the pumpkins!

Kate was trying to find a pumpkin for her baby brother.

They're His

I know I talk endlessly of my children's love of vegetables. But it never ceases to amaze me! Tonight the girls and I put up our Halloween decorations and to top it off I put a bag of candy corns into a jar in the kitchen. Kate asked if she could have some and I told her she could and then asked Anna if she'd like some. It shouldn't have surprised me when she responded, "um, no thanks.....can I have some carrots though?". Kate put her candy corns back on the counter and jumped up and down yelling "YAY, carrots!".

So of course I ate the candy corns. They must take after Barrett.