The Darn Pumpkin Patch

I had it in my mind that I wanted to take the boys to a pumpkin patch for the first time. We could pick out pumpkins, pet some farm animals, get apple cider donuts, etc. And, let's be honest, I just really wanted some cute pictures! Well, our pumpkin patch trip was a bust. Granted it was the nicest day (and Saturday none-the-less) that October had seen, but really, does a pumpkin patch have to have a ferris wheel and bounce house and hundreds of people? The pumpkins weren't even in a patch, they were dumped out in a small area. The puppies were locked up and we couldn't pet them. It was so crowed that I have people in the background of every picture. The boys didn't "get-it" or care. And we didn't even buy any goodies because the line was out the door. I did get a few pictures...unfortunately of a memory that didn't live up to expectations. Alas, there's always next year :)

Yep, this is the best family picture we got, yikes.

Just Tooting Around

Ben went hunting for the weekend (and got us a deer!). I really wanted to bake, but knew the boys would drive me crazy unless they were occuppied. So, I filled up the kitchen sink with water and soap bubbles, stood them on chairs, and gave them some toys to play with. One hour later, they were soaked, but laughing...and I was still baking. Woo hoo!  

I hadn't played with my camera/lense for a bit, and the boys looked so cute, I decided to take pictures one sunny afternoon. Sammy's sporting the purple mardi gras beads (a bit hit in our house as of late).

Finally, a picture of Sam's newest injury; I think this might be our best bruise to date. He fell down a steep driveway and had a instant bright blue goose egg.

Ah, Vacuums, How We Love Thee....

So my silly boys LOVE vacuums. It's a funny little fetish, but cute none-the-less. Recently, I have hated vacuums, because I've had two die on me in the last 3 months. And trust me, we need a vacuum around the house these days with how much dirt the boys pack around! So, I finally bucked up the cash and bought a new vacuum. I took the boys with me to the vacuum store, and initially was going to leave them in the car, but then remember how much they love vacuums. They were in heaven! They ran from vacuum to vacuum, pointing, squealing, screaming, jabbering. It was hilarious; I think the workers were quite surprised that kids would be that entirely enthuasic about vacuums!

Last Friday, I found the boys' dream toy: a vacuum. Although I thought $8 was a bit of a splurge at a resale, I couldn't help it! It makes the vacuum noise and everything. That afternoon, Seth woke up first from his nap and I showed him the vacuum: 40 minutes of playing by himself. Then Sam woke up, and Seth immediately rolled the vacuum over to Sammy to "show" him and give him his turn. I was so touched! What a good brother. That afternoon, while I vacuumed with my new "toy", one boys followed behind with his vacuum and the other with his broom. It was quite the family affair.

16 months (a little late)

Whew, Seth and Sam are 16 months old and we are busy! Here is what we are up to:
-They weigh 22 lbs. and are 31 inches; this was 50% for weight and 70% for height.
-The past 2 weeks they cut out their morning nap. Yikes. This makes for very LONG days for mama!
-On the obedience scale (1 being bad, 10 good) Seth gets a 9. Sam, on the other hand, scores a 3. Sam is definately much stronger willed; it is very difficult for him to obey.
-They continue to love being outside: playing with sticks, digging in the dirt, hitting mama's flowers (grrr).
-Ben has been buillding forts with them inside using blankets and chairs. It's been great! What a good daddy he is!
-They're talking more and more each day and have mastered many hands signals. It's so nice now that they can tell me if they want "more" or say "please" when they need something (instead of whinning).
-We purchased a zoo pass and have been 3 times. I think Ben and I are enjoying as much as them...but they'll continue to be able to see and understand more. Since we've been going, they've been pointing to their zoo pictures on their walls, and really into their animal books. Our newest animal noises are roaring like a lion and make the elephant noise (with hand motions of course.)
-They continue to love reading. We find them each in their own recliner reading.
-They love being covered by a blanket while sleeping now. It's very cute.
-Sam got 3 molars, Seth 1. Are we done with teeth yet?

The following pictures are from our neighbor's wood shaving pile. It's so great for them to play in, because it doesn't get them dirty like a dirt pile does...yet they can still dig! We have lots of fun in it!

Sam, Seth

Sam

Seth

Sam, Seth