Halloween Stuff

So we've done a lot of halloween stuff since I've posted last. A pumpkin patch with pony rides, which the kids loved. Austin couldn't stop reaching down and petting his pony and didn't want to get off! I was so fun to watch him on a pony, he has amazing balance for his age. Makes me think he might be a horse rider, okay maybe thats more for me LOL. Madison did good too and rode the pony all by herself, which I think is a first. She also loved it :) We got some pumpkins and brought them home and carved them. Madison chose daddy to help her with hers which I must say turned out amazing. Good Job Garrett! His pumpkin even photographed better than mine. I tried something new by using the flat side of the pumpkin and it didn't really pop like I thought it would, oh well right. It took Austin a few minutes before he reached in to get some goop out of the pumpkin but he did it. Madison even reached in the pumpkin this year. We got some snow on Wednesday and Madison insisted we make a snowman. He was a little guy and Madison was sure proud of him. So cute! Thursday was her school party. Garrett and I got to go help and watch her parade. She was so happy that her daddy was able to come and during the singing she sang directly to him the whole time. I got video of it, but should have had Garrett hold the camera...She didn't take her eyes of him. It was neat to see their connection. She did pretty good, but wasn't really into it. Not sure if she was tired or if there was just too many people there. Yesterday we took the kids to the Mall for trick-or-treating since we had a high chance of rain over here. It was fun. The kids enjoyed it, but towards the end it was really crowded and the kids were tired. We almost didn't make trick-or-treating around the neighborhood because it was so cold and rainy, but we got a break and I took the kids down our street with Kesler and his daddy. At first Austin didn't know what to do. He wanted to walk, but with his bag; or I had to hold his hand, but not his bag. Really confusing for me, but once we got over that he had fun. It's so cute to hear him say "trick-or-treat" and "happy halloween". He's such a big boy!! I ended up having to carry him halfway through and was so exhausted by the end of the night! But worth it of course. The kids had so much fun and got so much candy. So thats it for October! Wow that went by fast. We won't do trick-or-treating over here today because its Sunday, but honestly I'm so tired, I couldn't do that again!! Now its time to get Garrett off hunting and work on Austin's 2nd Brithday Party!! Happy Halloween Everyone!

Scouting Trip

Ok it's time!!

So it's been awhile.....ok a long time since I've posted an update so here I go. I'm going to attempt one, just know that the kids are awake and will be yelling at my feet very soon!!
As most of you know Garrett went on his first Elk hunt last week. He wasn't successful but ended up having a great time in the good old outdoors. He goes again in two weeks to a new spot. I'm very excited for him and hope he brings home some meat for my freezer. He's hoping to get a few of his buddies to go with him, which I think is a good idea. I don't like that he is going out there all by himself, but we did go scouting on Wednesday so at least I know where he is going. Speaking of Wednesday we took an afternoon drive to his spot, looked around the area for a bit, went for a small hike, and cooked hotdogs and marshmallows over a fire. It was so relaxing and free. Just what we needed!! The kids enjoyed running around in the mountain air, playing in the dirt and picking up cow pies!!! LOL Madison pretended to be Darby looking for Tigger and Pooh. Such a creative imagination she has. And Austin enjoyed being her shadow, going everywhere she did!!
Speaking of those kiddos..... Madison is doing so good in school. She doesn't get upset anymore and really enjoys getting to see her friends and read to her teacher. She is doing awesome with her reading and knows about 10 "sight" words. (Words like I, see, run, said, and, this, look, like, is) She has a Halloween party coming up that Garrett and I get to help with. (Garrett has to work Halloween weekend so he's gonna come see her at the party. Luckily we get to go, just the three of us, so that will be really special for her. Austin will be hanging out with our neighbor.) We are working on a few things with her at home, such as hitting when she gets upset and talking disrespectfully to us. That's been changeling but it will be worth it! Its really hard to put her in time out when she's throwing a huge fit when daddy's sleeping, but it's what I gotta do I guess.
Austin is growing up way too fast. He is such a smart little boy. He loves doing puzzles and beads. He's talking in sentences now, here and there. He went from only saying one word at a time to sentences literally overnight!! He's got a mouth full of teeth and knows how to use them unfortunately. He loves to do what his sister does, from dancing to playing. He loves to help me with the laundry and dishes, which can be a pain sometimes!! His new thing is going "potty" which he just likes to sit on the toilet 20 times a day!! He hasn't gone yet, but tries. And he had two different personalities, one when sister is in school, and one when she is home. Its funny to see the difference. He's more laid back and chill when sister is in school, but the moment shes home it's defense mode it seems. Really funny.
I've just been hanging out doing the mommy/wife thing. I did get to escape for alittle bit yesterday and do some crafting with some new friends of mine. Finally I found someone who is into it as much as me, it only took umm, well awhile :) So thats about it. Getting ready for Halloween and then Austin's 2nd birthday which will be Barnyard theme. Can't wait!!! I found some really cute/simple animal cupcakes that I can't wait to try out!! Hope everyone is well and enjoying life!!

4wheeler Trip to the Towers!

We took a 4 hour 4wheeler ride up to the top of the mountains behind our house. Our neighbors came with up and took Austin while we rode with Madison. The kids did so good for being on a wheeler for 4 hours!!! Austin fell asleep a few times with Jen. We all had a great time. Rode to the top, at lunch, then rode home! Oh man I'm so sore this morning!! More pictures to come. Look for them in your email.

New Projects

a magnetic frame for fall
scrap wood and vinyl makes good decorations

my autumn blocks

the kids bathroom

austin's sweet dreams sign

countdown blocks!

Some Troubles

So last Tuesday I go to pick up Madison from Dance and her teacher stops me and say that she was upset and was quietly crying while working on her letter "s". She got out of it that Madison missed me and thats why she was crying. After we got home and I was looking at her schoolwork I noticed a tear stain on the paper and her "S" all wiggly and backwards and just scribbles. I called her over and she said, "that's when I was crying Mom, I couldn't do it". So at least we got the real reason why she was upset. On Thursday I went in early to tell the teacher what we figured out and that if she sees Madison getting upset to maybe help her alittle. She was fine with that and I said goodbye to Madison and left. When Garrett and I picked her up after school the teacher said she had a complete meltdown! I couldn't believe our little girl was getting so upset! It broke my heart :) She said this time it was because she missed us. I think it was because I was there with her in the morning, which I don't think will happen again. Hopefully this will pass and she can return to being the happy little girl at school! On a good note she did get her first book, so she's learning to read!

School and Stuff

So we've just been hanging out doing much of nothing but crafting. I've been in the mood to make so much new cool stuff for the house. I've got Christmas gifts going, countdown blocks, Halloween decorations going, and decorations for Madison's and my room. It's been fun, but I wish I had all the materials to finish the projects so I can get them up on here and show you all. I'm hoping to get some vinyl this week and some stuff at the expo this weekend and then I can start some new stuff. Got so much I want to do, just need to finish the things I got going on right now first :)
Talked to Madison's teacher today about her wiggly handwriting to see if it is something I should be concerned about, and she told me that she is just trying so hard to trace her name and keep it on the lines that why it's wiggly. She also told me alittle more of what they do in class and how Madison is acting. She said she is very timid at first and is such a good listener, which is also what her dance teacher said today. I was watching her dance and she was one of the only girls who really listened to what the dance teacher wanted and did it. I'm so proud of how "big" she is and how well she is behaving in school. And I'm also proud of how well she gets into her dance outfit all by herself after school.
This weekend we visited with my mom and had such a good talk. It's good to hear that she is getting better and wants to turn it all around. The kids had a great time showing her all their things and what they can do now. We had a really good time. Thanks mom for coming to see us.
Garretts got one more night of work and then maybe this weekend we can get some projects finished around the house too!