Crazy Crave Costumes

We recently had our annual Halloween Party and costume contest at Crave - the college ministry at Metro Community Church.  Josh and I always try to come up with unique ideas rather than just buying costumes, so this year we were bags of Jelly Belly jelly beans.  The costumes were a huge hit and were much more comfortable and easier to wear than I expected.  Here are some pics from the evening...

My crazy jelly bean nail polish and bling

Brody just kept staring at me and Landon said, "OOO,cool girl!"  Later he told me, "Mommy you're pretty, but girls aren't supposed to wear balls in their hair."

Holly and McKenzie AKA ipod girl and raggedy ann

Landon really liked their costumes

Group Shot

Winning pumpkin...old man from the movie UP - soo creative!

Pumpkin contest runner-up

Another group shot...winners of the costume contest were the
Mad Hatter and Alice in the back row far right

Happy Faces!

Brody is currently eight months and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this stage of childhood.  He is so happy and expressive with his face and hands.  He literally squeals every time I go to get him from his crib in the morning.  So nice to have the equivalent of a standing ovation from your child.  This in stark contrast to the 3 year old stage when Landon tells me, Maaoom get out, I am still sleeping!! 

Love Landon's dark eyes...sometimes you can hardly see his pupils

because his irises(spelling?) are such a dark brown.

AM Fun

It seems like we have been really busy lately going here there and everywhere, so it's really nice to have those quiet mornings just playing at home.  We recently have had some really fun mornings playing with this fire truck ball pit.
 

Hi mommy!

Landon shows Brody how to drive

Beep, beep!  Crazy Driver!

Loving the balls!

Ruppert Wedding

My cousin Richard recently got married, so our whole family attended the affair.  This was Landon's second wedding and Brody's first, but they both did great!  

Best attempt at a family pic

My dad officiated the wedding

During the prayer, I opened my eyes and caught Landon holding up a Bible. 

They do a pledge to the Bible at school, so maybe he was practicing holding it.



Boys watching the ceremony



Brody worn out from all the fun

Landon and Papa excited about cake

Cousin Max and Landon on the dance floor

Landon busting a move on the dance floor.  He had so much fun dancing and did not want to leave!

My Aunt Sarah and Cousin Richard....thought that mother and son looked so sweet and happy dancing together.  Watching them dance made me a little sad thinking how fast the years will go by with my boys.  I have to remember to cherish each moment during this precious time...even when they drive me crazy!





WHEEL of FORTUNE!

Cue Music...Don don don don da da da!  Well you all know I can be a little lot competitive, and I would love to be on a game show.  Ironically the day after I shared with my Crave bible study group that being on a game show was on my bucket list, I found out Wheel of Fortune was coming to St. Louis.  I figure it MUST be a sign, so I decided to try and audition. 

There was a huge crowd and each person filled out an application to be entered into a drawing in order to audition.  Unfortunately my name was not picked that day, but the whole process was surprisingly entertaining.  Josh and I had a lot of fun watching the auditions and hoping to win.  Plus they are going to do another drawing in the next month for some more available spots - so my dream is still alive! 

Filling out an application in hopes of winning a chance to audition

The golden basket of chance....all the applications were dropped in and drawn by a stand-in Vanna White

Enjoying the auditions

"W" for WIN....was so pumped up to hear my name.  So many people that were called just waltzed up to the front like they weren't even excited.  Excuse me, but could you please show SOME emotion!?!  You could be on the Wheel!

Pat and Vanna replacements...the host was hilarious and really made the auditions fun!

I figured I would auditon for Vanna since I didn't get a chance to be a contestant :) 

No Girls or Babies Allowed!

Landon got to go on his first "manly" adventure with his daddy and pops.  Pops' cousin Wayne lives near Vandalia and owns a huge area of land near the Kaskaskia River.  The guys took a four-wheeler and Rhino vehicle and went exploring all over the property.  Landon had a great time and Brody and mommy got to have some quality alone time.  I was a little sad to miss Landon's big outdoor adventure, but he continues to tell me all about it!

Davey (Pops) and Cousin Wayne

The entrance sign to Wayne's property

Landon proudly displays his hiking stick

Landon, Josh, and Cousin Wayne by the Rhino

POPS & LANDON

Grant's Farm

We hadn't been to Grant's Farm this season, so we decided to take advantage of this amazing weather and take the boys.  We had a great trip and enjoyed seeing the shows.  I'm not sure if it's because we don't visit there as much or the boys' ages, but I much prefer Grant's Farm to the zoo.  I always feel that is way less stressful and not as overwhelming. 
Landon had much more fun than this first pic suggests - he was a little traumatized when they took Brody's stroller, because he thought we wouldn't get it back.  He has become VERY protective over Brody and his belongings.

Some of the animals we saw on the tram ride - this horse was gorgeous!



My happy Brodster enjoying the ride



Landon enjoyed brushing the goats more than feeding them - they were a little crazy over the food.   At one point there were five goats surrounding me with their hooves on my waist.  It's like feeding time at my house!!
Elephant show was very cool - here's the elephant blowing up a balloon!



Silly boys in line as we wait for our lunch!

Landon's First Job

Josh wanted to wash his truck, so we told Landon if he worked really hard and helped daddy, he could have $5 to put into his piggy bank.  Landon was so excited to help and did a fantastic job!  I was impressed by his attention to detail and trying to clean every spot.  He loved "working" and during his bedtime prayer he told God thanks so much for his awesome job!