Halloween 2013

It was rainy and wet but Halloween 2013 was a complete success.   We were not initially sure that Kinley would put the Sophia the First dress on, let alone traverse the neighborhood trick or treating.  Lucky for us we were completely wrong!

Our vampire, ninja and princess enjoyed the entire evening.

 

Before we headed to the annual neighborhood Halloween Party we spent a few minutes with Tighe, Mimi and Pappy.

Later, we spent time with our friends feasting on chili, subs and yummy treats.   When the clock turned to 6pm adults and kids headed out to go door to door for treats.   The streets of our development were packed despite the poor weather.  The kids didn't care one bit that they were getting wet.  Thank goodness the temperatures were mild enough that the parents also didn't care that the kids were getting wet!

It wouldn't be a Halloween post without pictures of our Jack O' Lanterns.   We spent last Friday evening carving each one.  I think they turned out pretty well!

 

 

 

 

Let the Halloween Festivities Begin

This afternoon we kicked off the start of all things Halloween for the Mowry's.   I had the opportunity to attend Cooper's class party this afternoon.  It was a wonderful time of scavenger hunts, BINGO, and crafts.  Oh, and snack, too!

 

 

This was my first trip to Cooper's class so far this year.  We had a great time as he introduced me to the friends he's been telling me so much about for the past two months. 
Tonight we plan to carve pumpkins and tomorrow pick out the candy that we will hand out for Trick  or Treat.  I simply cannot believe that Halloween is just days away.  Stay tuned for more scarey details!

One Very Busy Family and Friend Filled Weekend

This weekend was an absolute whirlwind of activity, much like the week that proceeded it.  However, I'm happy to say that the weekend was amazing in that we shared time with so many people who are special to us.
On Friday the kids and I traveled to Lewistown to visit with Julie, Hayden and Joseph Henry.  It was our first time meeting our newest cousin and it goes without saying that he's super cute.    Nicole and Jon spent the evening with us at Gram and Pap's but chickened out on the mass sleepover.   She came back early the next morning so we won't give her a hard time - this time!!

 

 

 
I love this picture of Gram and Pap with all of their great grandchildren.  I'm so glad that we could make it happen and have them all together.  They are awesome grandparents and my kids are so lucky to have them!

Gram was thrilled to finally get her hands on "Joey" as she calls him.  She has been dying to meet him for months.

  

 

 

We headed home from Lewistown Saturday morning, dropped our belongings at the door and headed for Cooper's football game.   I was a bit worried that he would easily run out of steam after the junk food filled sleepover the evening before.  Boy, did he surprise me.  I think he had his best game yet.  He ran the ball twice and had lots of awesome blocks to help his teammates run the ball.  He wanted to get a flag so badly and had about 4 in his hand but it was rainy and those flags were slippery.  He has such a great time playing though.   My favorite part is when he comes off the field, huge smile on his face and says, "Mom, did you see that play"

Saturday evening was spent trying to recuperate from Friday's lack of sleep.  The kids played their new video game and Earl and I watched some football.   The kids and I were in bed by 8:30.  Good thing, since we had church and a birthday party today. 

Sadly, my camera battery died so I only have iphone pictures of the party.  You'll have to trust me when I say the kids were super cute and had a blast.  You can catch pictures on Megan's blog.  

So here we are, Sunday evening, and the kiddos are finally in bed.  Tonight marks the end of a marathon couple of weeks for the Mowry's.  We have nothing (yes you read that right) planned next weekend except for football...or the weekend after and we are hoping to keep it that way.   We need our rest because our Disney trip is right around the corner and we are very excited!

Thanks to everyone who made this weekend special.  We are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends to share our time with.

Pumpkin Pickin'

It's that time of year again, even if the weather is making us think otherwise.   Sunday the kids and I made our annual pilgrimage to the pumpkin patch.   It was a rather warm fall day, but that added to our enjoyment.

I didn't drag my huge camera with me since I already was solely in charge of four kids.  So, iphone pics it is.  Sorry Cooper, that you were partially cut out of the group shot!

Kinley had a great time walking through the pumpkin patch, turning over numerous pumpkins.  The bunnies were also pretty high on her list.

Look at this crew!  I have to say that they were a pretty good bunch.  They were completely over my photographing at this point and declared this the LAST picture.  That's would be why Kinley is looking a the ground and not at me. 

The big kids were dying to get to the slide by the time the hayride was over.

And after that we headed to the haybarn where they romped and carried on and climbed and ziplined in the hay for nearly 45 minutes.   By then I was bone tired from our trip to Penn State the night before and Kinley was more than ready for a nap.   I lured the kids away with promises of cold treats to quench the thirst that they had worked up while running around all afternoon.

So, 6 pumpkins now decorate my porch and wait patiently to be carved in preparation for Trick or Treat!  Stay tuned.

A Few Recent Favorites

Warning - pictures out of order.  

Today is Tuesday, or at least that's what the calendar says.  I personally am still trying to recover from the weekend. 

Earl and I spent most of Saturday at a wedding.  It was the first time in many years that we've attended such an event without having a responsibility IN the event!  Needless to say, we enjoyed ourselves.  The kids were safe at home with Melissa and as I understand it, she is more fun than I am.  I have no doubt Tia is true. 

Monday morning was a rough one as we all struggled to overcome the fun we had all weekend and get out of bed to start a new day.   Kinley has not been sleeping well since developing a cough last week, which only adds to the drama.   However,  when I came down from my shower and found her cuddled up with McKenna I had to stop and savor the moment. 

My little buddy, Cooper, is off on his first field trip today.  He's going to the pumpkin patch!   I'll admit that my heart broke a little this morning when he asked me who was going on his field trip with him.  I thought he meant what other class.  Sadly, he meant which important adult in his life. He went through the list, mommy, daddy, Mimi, pappy?  At this point I thought I might cry as I explained that Mommy and daddy had to work and that I didn't think to ask Mimi or Pappy.   I assured him that there would be other field trips that I would surely attend and that today would be great even without one of us there.  He seemed satisfied and I still feel like crap. 

Which leads me to the only good news of the day and that is that today is the last day of clinical!  Yesterday I was trying to put into words what these 6 weeks are like and the only way I can describe it is to say it's like adopting 7 teenagers.  I'm sure you teachers have already figured this out but it took me until now to wrap my head around it.  Even though they are adults who live 30 miles away I still feel such a responsibility for them.  I worry about giving them a good pediatric experience, I pour over their homework, I stress when they don't do well, I field their texts and phone calls when they are confused, I cheer them on when they are feeling defeated, I discipline them when they mess up.   Then I come home and repeat all of those things with my own kids. I  am tired but I wouldn't anything - except to maybe go to the pumpkin path today. 

My Baby

If there's one thing that my "baby" loves to do, it's play with her babies.
Kinley and I spent some quality time together on Wednesday morning.  It's been our special routine the past few weeks.  I  miss the kids so much when I'm only seeing them for an hour in the morning and a half hour before bed on Monday and Tuesday.    So Wednesday mornings are all about fun with Kinley!   On this particular morning I was feeling a bit like the third wheel.  She was more interested in her baby than me.

But we did have tea... 

Isn't this how you drink your tea?

Then Kinley put her baby to bed.    I loved watching her gently hold the baby and sing softly.   She is going to make a good mommy some day.

 

After the baby's "nap" we spent some time doing our "work".  I graded some papers and answered some e-mails while Kinley worked on coloring a picture.  Notice the baby is still close by.

We had a wonderful morning just being together.  I can't blame Kinley for wanting to keep her baby close by.  I like to keep my babies close by too!