Pumpkin Patch 2011

On Columbus Day, Drew was out of school and I couldn't resist taking all three of my bunch to a pumpkin patch. We had so much fun just us enjoying our morning surrounded by orange pumpkins and play time. It was cloudy and muddy from the rain the day before, but my kids didn't let that stop them. This is why I stay at home - to create these memories because I can! and I loved it and needed it.

Best picture of the day - Drake at his first pumpkin patch. I was huge and pregnant last year when we went to the pumpkin patch in Maryland, and I had Drake two days later.

Our first stop was Handy Manny

and then the pumpkin patch

No sitting down because the pumpkins were "wet"

Our hay ride which was a really good one

My oldest - love him!

The maze which was a huge hit - they went through it over and over!

At the end of the maze, the kids slid down a slide

Bounce houses with very muddy socks at this point

On to the train...

and the jail house where Drew is showing his face but Dilan is hiding...

...to being a sheriff...

and then, we discovered they had Strawberry Shortcake which is Dilan's Halloween costume this year!

TX/OU weekend - Drake's 1st birthday celebration

If you are a Texas football fan, TX/OU weekend is big, really big. So, we decided to travel home to Houston to be with family for the game and to celebrate 4 October birthdays in the family. Drake is one of those October birthdays now (and David too!) and so we had his first birthday celebration with my side of the family. It's great to be able to do that - have I mentioned how happy I am to be back in Texas? :)

We are so grateful to have Drake in our family. Ever since we had Drew, I knew we were going to have another boy and his name would be Drake. Dilan came along in between (and knocked our socks off) but when it was time for Drake to come, boy did he ever! He came out at almost 10 lbs with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, blue, and not breathing for almost a full minute. He made his entrance memorable and he's been a joy ever since. A very happy baby, cuddly, our first pacifier baby, and one who loves to follow his brother and sister around. He loves to dance and it's hilarious to watch him stand up and start bouncing to music.

For Drake's first birthday, I went with a longhorn theme. It turned out fun and very cute. Here were my party supplies:

Us with our birthday boy (2.5 weeks until his actual bday)

Dilan and Drew with their cousins and my mom eating fajitas for lunch

The "boys" - Drew, Drake and cousin Landon

Oh boy! cards!!!

Drake opening his presents - he did pretty good with the wrapping paper!

Got me a lawn mower...

and a cool lady bug...

... and cookie monster (and lots of much needed fall clothes and pjs).

Our family with Drake and his cake

Drake was more interested in the helmet on his cake than the cake itself

Got sticky fingers and wasn't interested - just like my other two!

Ice cream? Now, that is more my style.

I ate all of that and now, I'm a happy kiddo!

Our picture with Drake after his ice cream and before his BATH!

Texas State Fair - Games and Rides

We played many games and rode many rides at the state fair.

Here's Drew trying his first game out

Drew won a sword for his efforts

Riding the sky high

Drew and Dilan looking at the view

Sam, Drew and my mom on the first ride of the day

Drew doing the bumper cars

Dilan's first ride - the swing. She loves to go high when she swings but this swing got a little intense for her...

...to where she covered her eyes. It was actually pretty funny and when she got off, she told David and me that "it was scary." No tears though and she moved on with ease.

Drew riding a car ride

Dilan's next choice - this whale and she had a lot of fun - it blew bubbles!

Trying to pop the balloon with this ball

David's turn - he nailed each one...

... and won all three kids a prize!

Texas State Fair 2011 (an overview)

It's been 10 years since David and I have gone to the Texas State Fair in Dallas. We went together the first year we were married. And now that we live in the Dallas area, we had beautiful weather and family in town, so we couldn't pass it up. It was a lot of fun!

The fair is on the grounds of the Cotton Bowl

This is Big Tex and he talks to you and waves his hand. He is an icon of the state fair of Texas and the ginormous ferris wheel in the background as well.

Our family photo with Big Tex - we had to strategically use him to cover up the sun in the picture.

Drew, David, Sam and my mom walking the fair grounds

Here we were listening to the international music

This one is for my brother - we had CORNY DOGS!!!

my mom and Drew massaging their feet

David and Drake watching the bigger kids do the rides

Special Friends Lunch

My mom and her husband came in town to see us this weekend. It was Special Friends lunch on Friday and my mom really wanted to be there for Drew. He was totally surprised and didn't even know how to react. It was too cute how happy he was that they were there just for him. We picked up McDonald's happy meals (being a special occasion and all) and brought them with us for his school picnic.

My mom and Dilan outside McDonald's while we were waiting for them to start serving lunch

Popo and Drake

Around the fountain we go

Our special friends lunch

My mom and Drake

Drew and me