Jack-o-Lanterns

We carved pumpkins the night before Halloween this year.  The kids had great ideas they were excited about it, and each reflected them well!  The kids are sitting behind their creations!

Boo at the Zoo

I've been feeling lately like I've slacked in the captruing moments of our family on photo.  It's been especially rare to get hte kids together.  So when we got to the zoo, in case we didn't get another one attempted, I had to force them to stand together and "smile" for a photo.  It didn't work out so well as you can see.

I did manage to get this nice one later though as we were walking around the zoo! 

I do love the outtakes though too.  It's who we are and a reflection of our kids.

Zoo Animals

The afternoon and evening we spent at Boo at the Zoo were chilly.  It was about 50 degrees that day, if we were lucky!  And it was damp and there were some sprinkles that fell on us too while we were there.  It kept the crowd away though, so we had a good time.  I think the weather was favorable for the animals because they sure were out!  We saw some great animals views. 

We saw other animals too, but these are the best photos I have.  The bear was super cool!  The lion's male mate was pacing around by the window so we could see him well, but he didn't photograph well. 

One downside to the cool damp weather at the zoo.  It really smelled like a place where a lot of animals live!  It wasn't always pleasant smelling!

Weirdest Zoo Exhibit

Over the weekend Keith and I took the kids to the Akron Zoo for Boo at the Zoo.  While I have more to share about our time there, the weirdest zoo exhibit I've ever seen was a part of our trip too. 

 

 

Yes, that's Caleb lifting a tail on a picture of an animal to smell their excrements. 

 

He even convinced Daddy into trying it too.

 

 

The photo is blurry because I had to act VERY quickly to get a photo of it before he moved.  He certainly didn't stay there for long smelling that!

Elinore the Elephant; A Comparison

2012

2013

In 2012, Elinore fell asleep at the Akron Zoo during Boo at the Zoo and I snapped this picture when I layed her down on a bench, so my arms could have a break. 

In 2013, Elinore slept through our dinner at a burger joint after our trip to the Akron Zoo, and remember the photos from 2012, I couldn't resist snapping another to compare. 

2013 Pumpkins

 

Each of the boys carefully planned out their pumpkin designs.

Daddy helped them create them.  

Elinore even got in on some of the cleaning.

Then we had jack-o-lanterns!

We used a tattoo on Elinore's.

Halloween 2013

Keith dressed up in costume for a Halloween party this year.  He dressed up as his brother. 

He got a lot of laughs!

Halloween Party 2013

Boo at the Zoo

Caden & Caleb

Caleb & Caden

Caden, Caleb, Elinore & Mommy

Sleeping Elinore

Daddy, Mommy, and Baby

Elinore & Mommy

Caden

Sleeping Elinore

Caleb

The Pumpkin Patch - 2012

We went to the pumpkin patch this year and had a lot of fun!  We played int he corn, walked the corn maze, took a hayride, played on the playground, rode pedal bikes, saw the goats, drank cider, and of course picked our pumpkins. 

2012 Pumpkins

Caden, Daddy and Caleb Carving

Caden was really into the carving this year and did a lot of it with little help from Daddy!

Mommy helped Elinore wit hers.

Elniore's Pumpkin, Caden's Pumpkin and Caleb's Pumpkin

Halloween & Christmas

The boys have already started asking for things for Christmas.

While I'm home working on a paper for graduate school today.  Hubby took the boys into town to run errands.

I received and email from hubby while I'm working away.

Subject: "This is what Caleb wants for Christmas."

Content:

A year ago this costume terrified both of those boys.  We were at a Halloween party last year that scared them so much we couldn't be in the same room as the werewolf at the part.  This year, they want to be the werewolf.  Time sure does change things!

Pumpkins 2011

Caden drawing/tracing his happy face pumpkin.

Caleb drawing/tracing his scary faced pumpkin.

Caleb making the cut.

A happy pumpkin and a scary pumpkin.

'

Two very happy boys with their "lighted up" pumpkins.

It's a good thing we took pictures the day we carved them, because they are already rotting!

You're Pretty

Last night as I tucked Caden into bed, we were talking. He told me "mommy, you're pretty like a witch."

Thanks...I think?

2010 Halloween

We didn't go trick-or-treating this year.  I know, bad mommy.  I've never liked Halloween.  I don't mind dressing up and school parties and such assuming that the costumes are child appropriate and fun, not scary and evil.  Instead we did go to a Halloween party hosted by some family and friends.

That's my husband, the wiener in a bun.

Since I'm not a fan of Halloween, I wore the costume my husband decided on as little as possible.  (Trust me, that is NOT my Halloween costume.)

This, however, was my Halloween costume.  

We finished up the evening on a haunted hay ride through a neighborhood.