Pumpkin carving FINALLY!!

We finally got around to carving pumkins, we had two that weren't frozen yet. They turned out good, sad that we didn't get around to it sooner cuz that means that there are 5 that were frozen. Brayden really enjoyed it, Braxton got to color a mini jackolantern pumkin, so he was busy and happy too tho he had moved on by the time I got the camera out.

Uncle Rob and Aunt Tammy came for a visit. I didn't get very many pics, but these the morning they left. Brayden was already headed for school so he isn't in these. We had such a wonderful time with them, sorry it was so short, but it was fun. We packed as much into those hours as we could. I hope they finally got some rest after they got home. :-)

Papa Great had a 90th birthday party at the end of October. We were so glad to be there and enjoyed our time very much. I have just these few pics to share. Was really good to be together and visit and see so many friends that we don't get to see very often. Though time was short, we did enjoy all of it. Seems every trip down is short, especially during school time.

Fall is here

Fall is here and the weather is cooling considerably. I find I am not ready for that. I was ready for the garden to be done...until I think about having to actually cook veggies again. That part of the garden being done I am not ready for. We still have some tomatoes to use, but the cucumbers are done, the lettuce and spinich are done and the summer squash are done. All that is left is the winter squash, oh and the carrots which are waiting for the final hard freeze. Need to dig potatoes as well. On the upside I did get to pick strawberries again, they are small but so very sweet. The boys still enjoy playing outside, we have had a bit of snow and some rain, they just wanted to wear snow boots and pants. They were covered in mud after an hour tho. A few days later I had to wash the boots and airwalks off and let them dry in the sun. It won't be long and there won't be anymore mud, we will just be cold and with a little luck we might have snow. The fall cleaning needs to be finished, I did get the carpet shampooed though so I got that much done. This month is really quite full of celebrating tho so cleaning might have to wait till I just simply can't stand to go outside. :-) Brayden turns 7 on Friday, we are taking a trip to Casper for the Reba concert and some swimming and shopping. He is super excited, can hardly wait to go. Then back home for a week and then we head down to Scottsbluff to help Papa Great celebrate his 90th birthday. That will be fun too, we have a hotel with a pool as well there so the boys will really enjoy that. Things are normal here, boys growing like crazy, time passing very quickly, Roger and I getting older...yup thats all normal. Not much else to report, perhaps that is why I don't get around to posting very often anymore. We are very glad for normal and wouldn't want it any other way. These boys are a wonderful blessing in our life, wouldn't want to live without them.

And our #1 Goof

And together we are goofy

What a cutie, growing up tho

Its been too long...

We passed the 5 yr mark

I have had trouble with the publish post button so didn't get a post done on August 18 which was our 5 year gottcha day mark with Brayden. It is fun to mark the time and realize that so much time has gone and yet it seems like yesterday we just got him and at the same time seems like we have had him for always. I will forever remember the little boy we picked up that day and am so grateful that he has grown into this wonderful little boy that loves his mama and daddy so much. Most of all I am so glad he has become a normal little boy with all the attitudes, misbehaviors, joys and activities that are expected at his age. We have been so blessed!!

And so it goes....Time that is.

Time marches on and summer is gone. It is amazing to me how quickly it disappears. Yesterday was Brayden's first day of school. He is now in first grade and is doing alright there, new classroom, new teacher, some new kids but lots of old friends from the last couple of years as well. He was a bit upset yesterday when it was time for me to leave but he came home bubbling over so it was fine after I left. He went to bed at 7:30 and was asleep by 7:42 so he was really tired. The rest of us have to get used to the school schedule too, up early, eat early and to bed early. I may have to biggest problem with that as I don't do well with early mornings. I learned last year tho that I don't have much choice, so best get used to it. This week will be a rough one as he has school all five days, then next week we have the regular four day week with a long weekend. Just have to be sure we get enough sleep. Its amazing how we can put healthy kids together in one room and in a week or two we have a bunch of sick kids. Hopefully Brayden will stay healthy longer than he did last year. The first img Brayden figured out I was taking pictures so he turned his fanny to me and began shaking it. :-)

Weekend continued

We visited Lake Minatare as well. And Miss America was also in the parade since she is from Gering NE...imagine that!!!

My 20th Class Reunion

Last weekend was my 20 year class reunion, in many ways it is very hard to believe it has been that long. We had a great time, the boys were very good and had lots of kids to play with. I got to ride a float in the Oregon Trail Days Parade that we used to go watch as kids, I used to think it would be so fun. In reality, it was VERY HOT not to mention long even with an umbrella. I don't know that I would ride in it again, but for one time down the street it was great. I remember there being a lot more spectators than there were, but there were plenty of kids lining the route. After the parade we went to eat in an airconditioned building, thank goodness for airconditioning. After that we took a drive out to the country where I grew up, past the school I attended K-8th grade. Lots of memories were shared and we had lots of fun doing it. We didn't get as much time with family and friends as we would have liked. There just is never enough time to do it all especially in one weekend. To those we missed, we are sorry and hope to see you sometime soon.

Leonhardt Reunion fun