Catching Up

I know Halloween was months ago but here are a few pictures of the kids. This was the first year that all the kids loved trick or treating. I think Jaxson and Carter would have stayed out there forever they both filled their buckets for the first time. Logan thought this was the best day ever since he was able to get a good supply of his favorite candy lollipops.

Gretchen came to visit us in October. The kids all loved Aunt Gretchen and talk about her all the time. Payton really loved having Gretchen around especially since she brought her lip gloss which she loves. It was so fun getting to visit with Gretchen we all hope that she comes back soon!

Payton's class had a field trip to the festival of trees. The kids all loved looking at the trees and would hardly hold still for a picture. They had a kids corner there and this was the bubble machine. Payton loved having the bubble go all around her. Logan started crying as soon as I put him up there and then cried the whole time the bubble was around him. If you ask him now he was happy and not crying he was just blowing the bubble. He is such a funny kid and would not admit to dad and the boys that he cried.

Witches Breakfast at Gardner Village

This year Kelly, Sarah and I took the girls to the Witches Breakfast at Gardner Village. The girls all had fun and liked dressing up like witches. You will notice there is not one picture of Payton with the witches she liked them from afar but would not come close to any of them. It was a lot of fun to go and spend some time with Payton I love this age I wish she could stay 4 forever.

Walk for Autism

Last Saturday we participated in Walk Now for Autism Speaks. My mom flew out from California to walk with us and Kelly and Shane and the girls also walked with us. It was a really fun experience and we appreciate everyone who supported us by giving donations. It meant so much to Chris and I and Payton that we had so much support from our family. Even though it was freezing outside Kelly still brought all her girls and braved the weather to walk with us. Payton loved that we all had shirts with her picture on them but she did not love the cold you can tell by how happy she looks in all the pictures. This is such a great event and I can't wait to participate in it next year I just hope it is a little warmer.

Fall Autism Carnival

We got to go to the Fall Autism Carnival yesterday and all the kids had so much fun. Payton went last year with some friends and this year the whole family was able to go. She was so excited the whole time we were there. She loved all the little carnival games that they had. Logan also had a lot of fun playing all the games. Payton also enjoyed the train ride and the bounce houses. Jaxson and Carter loved the rock wall and they had a trampoline with bungees attached to it so you could jump and do all sorts of tricks they both thought it was so fun. At the end of the day we asked Payton what she liked best and with a huge smile on her face she said "Everything!". We all had so much fun this is such a great event we can't wait to go again next year.

Happy Birthday Jaxson!

Jaxson turned 9 on Friday and I think I heard him say it was the best birthday ever 20 times. Since he turned 9 Chris thought he needed another gun I am not sure who wanted the gun more Jaxson or Chris. Jaxson was very excited to get the gun and we even went out on Friday and watched him shoot it for the first time. I don't know much about guns but this one can either be a 22 or a shotgun and for some reason this is very exciting. So we spent 2 hours looking around for a rabbit to kill. This is really not how I pictured spending his 9th birthday but all the boys seemed to be loving it. Since Jaxson is obsessed with all spiders, reptiles, fish and basically any animal we had a tarantula party. He was so excited about all the spider stuff. Chris made a web for a bean bag toss and all the kids loved playing it. Sarah saved me again and made a tarantula birthday cake Jaxson was so excited and could not believe how big and heavy it was. We also did a treasure hunt to find the treat bags. The kids all seemed to have fun and Jaxson says it was the best birthday ever. Jaxson is such a fun kid he is always willing to help me around the house and he is a good big brother. He is a very thoughtful kid and is nice to everyone. He is very easy going and loves to be outside playing with friends. He loves learning all about animals and spends a lot of time reading books about reptiles and ocean animals. Before he started watching Swamp People he wanted to be a marine biologist now he says he wants to hunt gators when he grows up, but I am hoping he will decide to become a marine biologist. He loves going out shooting and hunting with his dad and from what I hear he has pretty good aim. He is a great kid and he helps me so much I am so lucky to have such a great kid. Happy Birthday Jaxson!

Carter Turns 7!

Carter turned 7 while we were in California. He was so excited since this meant he would get to have two birthday parties. They all loved the party at my parents house because there was a big bounce house. When we were leaving they all told me that they wanted to have their birthday parties at Grandma's house. When we got home he had a party with friends and they all had tons of fun. One of the kids got him a magic 8 ball and they had so much fun asking it questions. Chris was having just as much fun as the kids with the magic 8 ball. Carter has been such a fun kid. He is my kid who is always happy and nothing really bugs him. He loves to help with things around the house and is really patient with Logan and Payton. He loves collecting bugs and playing outside with his friends. When he grows up he says he wants to catch gators I blame this on Chris for letting them watch Swamp People. He is a great kid and makes the house so much fun. He loves to tell jokes and when he smiles it always make you smile.

California

At the beginning of August we all got to go to the houseboat for a whole week. This was the first time in the last couple of years that Chris has got to stay at the lake with us for the whole time. All of the kids loved it this year Payton and the boys lived in the water and they all did something behind the boat. Jaxson and Carter both skied this year and Payton and Logan loved the hot dog that you could pull behind the boat. Chris and the boys went fishing every night and caught something almost every time. It was so fun to be there together and to get to relax and have some family time.

My dad let Jaxson drive the boat all by himself for the first time this year. He thought this was the best thing ever I just have to keep reminding him he is not ready to drive the boat quite yet.