Obligatory Pumpkin Patch Pictures

So, I get it, good Moms take their kids to the pumpkin patch and take their pictures.  I really wanted to be a good mom this year but I ran out of time.

So, with 2 days until Halloween and virtually no pumpkins left at the patch, we ended up going on the rainiest, wettest day of the month.  After trying to pick through the mostly rotten pumpkins, I forced the kids into a picture.  I want to be able to tell Jill we did it for her, just like we did with big brothers.

Jill is more interested in climbing on the pumpkins.  And yes, she did fall on her butt and roll onto her back all right in that beautiful soaking wet grass.

Cooperation!

Closer...

Almost....

Success!!!!

I believe Josh has had enough!

And now for your viewing enjoyment, my cuties over the past years!  (I have no digital pics before 2005)

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Trunk or Treat

So, in case your don't think your kids are going to get enough candy on Halloween, there is always the pre-Halloween party, Trunk or Treat. 

In theory this is a great way to safely get candy.  Plus there is the added bonus of playing games to win said candy.  The idea is that your park the cars in a circle with all the trunks facing inward.  Each car opens it trunk and has a game (in or out of the trunk - ours was out) for the kids to play.  Each play, whether successful or not, earns candy!

Our only problem is we now have so much candy, I might just tell the kids no trick-or-treating!  Not really, but ugh....

Josh, as usual, not wanting to pose for a pic.  He is Toad from Mario Brothers.

Jill's friend Jack (yes, for real) comes to give her the scoop on where to find the best candy.

They check to make sure the coast is clear...

Jack tells Jill again, this time with more enthusiasm, she just isn't getting it!

So here is our game.  Oreo stacking.  So much fun even the adults couldn't stay away!

One Year Approaches... Or should I say, Looms...

In honor of Jill turning 1 year old in 12 days (!) I am posting a montage of all her ages and stages. It makes me both happy and sad.  Happy because she is a beautiful, wonderful baby who has been a bigger blessing than I ever could have imagined and sad because she will never be this small again.

  

 

Newborn (4 days old)

1 month old

2 months old

3 months old

4 months old, Go Rodeo!

5 months old

6 months old

7 months old

8 months old

9 months old

10 months old

11 months old

More Jill Cuteness!

So here is cutie Jill in the bubble bath.  I let her get in with her big brother Josh a few weeks ago and now she is obsessed!  She loves bubble baths!

And here is a video of Jill "calling" the kitty.  It is the cutest thing ever!  She thinks she is saying, "kitty, kitty, kitty."  She does this every time she sees a cat anywhere!

Jill Walks!!!

So Jill has been taking a few steps here and there, but not without major enticement.  Today she finally decided to take a walk for real.  Here is a video of some of the fun!

Creative Breaking with The Hylands

So, I don't know if any of you out there have ever seen the creative breaking competitions on TV, but this past weekend Jake and Josh decided to have their own version.  Here for your enjoyment...

Fall Festival!

Last Friday was the annual Rummel Creek Fall Festival.  Basically, the school carnival.  The whole school looks forward to this fun, fun day!  Think confetti eggs, silly string, inflatable bounce houses and obstacle courses and carnival games. 

Here are some pics from that fun day.  PawPaw even drove Owen in from Austin so he could join in the fun.  Apparently most of the 2 1/2 hour trip consisted of PawPaw trying to explain what a carnival was!  I think Owen found out it was all that and more!

Josh running the obstacle course.

Owen in the bouncy house.

Jake carrying his booty.

Jill and PawPaw enjoy some of the yummy food.

Owen tosses at the dunk tank.  He hit the target but not hard enough.

Josh goes for it at the dunk tank.  He didn't get it this time,

but later in the day he tried again and dunked a 5th grader!

Josh shows off his winnings from the cake walk!  His personal fave!

Josh goes crazy with silly string.  I think this poor kid gave up trying to run.

Jake floats in the hot air balloon ride.  It was really cool and new this year.

(I know you can't see him but he is in the top window in a yellow shirt.)

And poor Jill just got worn out!

Jake and friends show off their invisible ink squirt guns and silly string.

Josh with silly string and a confetti egg.  I think he was trying to combine them.

Way to go, Jake!

Since Jake wasn't playing a sport this fall, we decided we would try Tae Kwon Do and see how he liked it. 

Well, it only took 1 time for him to LOVE it!  He is so excited to go everyday and he works so hard in class and has gotten so good.  Here is a pic of him with his 3 stripes on his white belt.  They are for blocking, kicking and form ( a long 20 step deal that he had to memorize and execute).  Huge accomplishments!

At the end of October they test the kids to move to the next level, so maybe in a month you will see a pic of him with a yellow belt on!