Indian Summer

We have been enjoying the unseasonable warm weather in Memphis by being outside as much as possible. We have had numerous trips to the zoo, the Big Backyard, playground, and just being in our own backyard. In fact we have been having so much fun that I have not been taking pictures for practically all of November. Here are a few of a fun trip the Big Backyard with my boys.

Everyday Heros

The neighborhood firemen came to Trey's class at school. They told the children about 911, stop/drop/roll, and they put on all their gear so the kids could see what firemen looked like when they are working. Then everyone got a chance to walk through the fire truck and talk to the chief.

Trey and two friends listening very intently to the fireman. Looks serious, doesn't it . . . they were talking about the fire museum:)

Halloween

Our Spiderman and our spider looked adorable . . . they didn't feel so good. We walked around for a bit but headed in early. They both have coughs and runny noses. We went to the doctor yesterday and Trey has an ear infection and a touch of bronchitis, and we will probably go back again tomorrow and get Robb checked.

Fall Photos

We met some of our friends at the pumpkin patch for a photo shoot. Aren't these some of the cutest kids you have ever seen?

It's Fall Y'all

I am a sucker for the change of seasons. All the exciting experiences that only come around during certain times of the year are always so fun to get out and try. These pictures are from a new experience for us this year and one we have enjoyed over the last few years.

The new one is the corn maze at the Agricenter. While the maze was fun, Trey and Robb had their eyes on the jumping pillow, a probably 50 ft. long, yellow bubble coming from the ground (sort of like a bouncy house). Trey loved it from the first bounce. The man taking tickets said Robb might be too young. Will thought he was definitely not too young . . . I was a little skeptical. Of course our little monkey had no trouble getting in the direct middle of the bubble, smiling the whole way. He stood in the middle and pseudo-jumped, he was bounced by the older kids running by, he rolled around as Trey encouraged him, and he laughed and laughed and laughed. Needless to say both boys were thrilled.

The next two pictures are from our favorite pumpkin patch at Second Baptist Church. We frequent their playground year round, and when they start setting up their pumpkin patch we head that way. They are always so nice to the boys and help us gather our pumpkins.

Looking forward to our other fall adventures . . .

Chicago

Fall Break in Chicago!!!!

It was great to be able to spend time with the Turner family as well as get out and about in Chicago. The boys and I drove to Chicago with my parents. There is no question that it is a long drive...but not horrible. On the way there we were all super excited to get to see Hank, Happy, and Craig and on the way home we were super excited to get home to Will...so when you are exciting coming and going the drive doesn't seem so bad.

We had wonderful weather while we were there. Happy's house is in a cute neighborhood that is very convenient. We were able to walk to her playground, cute coffee shops, and Trey's favorite-the El train. Our trip was a great mix of everyday things that Happy does to touristy things some of which they hadn't tried yet. The Museum of Science and Industry was a highlight. The boys climbed on real tractors, used pulleys to move blocks, and Trey belted out Jesus Loves Me and Hotty Toddy while pretending to be a Jim Henson puppeteer. Navy Pier was a high point of the trip. The boys, moms, and Poppy enjoyed the ferris wheel and the carousel. There is a great Children's Museum. In the water room, the boys got dressed in brightly colored raincoats and splashed through the water activities. We also got the visit the zoo. Trey, Poppy, and I went to the John Hancock building. It was Trey's first taxi ride and first time to an extremely tall building. All through the city Trey was singing Mr. Joe (his and Robb's music class teacher) songs. If all these things make is sound like we were busy, we also fit in a ukulele class, playgrounds, a farmers market, and lots of fun restaurants!!!!!!!!

We cannot wait to go back for another visit, and of course we are looking forward to Thanksgiving when the Turners will be in Memphis.

Mom, Momma, Mommy

Recently a friend said Robb got a bad rap at the beginning because of his behavior in the car...he cried in the car for the first 6-12 months of his life...pretty much every time we got in the car. It was stressful for me while I was driving, and I always felt for Trey who could not get a word in over the screaming. He is much, much better now. In fact he just finished a road trip to Chicago and back happily. I am so proud of my little guy for learning to ride even when he would rather not be. I took this video a couple of months ago when he was first realized being in the car wasn't so bad because he can babble, sing, laugh with/at Trey and call out to me.

This video is music to my ears.