OOOctober

I don't remember what we were doing, but we got to see Mimi&Grandpa in Keystone and had a meal at Johnny's BBQ. We usually try to take any opportunity to see our family!

Grammy&Papa came to visit as well, which was great. We missed having the time with them at the beach house, so we had a chance to have extra time. We take all of it!

Height check! James still has a way to go to pass Papa...

We decided to take Grammy&Papa and the boys to a local corn maze for fun. We had a lovely time running through the maze! It is nice to have an 'activity' to do together - usually our activity is soccer!

James had his height check with Anthony and woah! 

This was a seriously exciting post to see - Our boys both made the Lakeside Junior High Soccer team! It's not often that they play together, but I am hopeful for more opportunities as they grow older. Yiiippiieee! It was a really stressful try out for me, because you just never know how or why the coaches choose kids. So I was just really hopeful to not have a disappointed kid, and the Lord heard me. Thank you Lord for the opportunities to be chosen and not cut!

Again, I don't remember why, but Mimi&Grandpa came to town and watched the boys play soccer. It really is challenging to make games, but we appreciate their effort to come at least once per season. That takes a lot when you have four boys to see and live out of town!

Of all the haircuts, This one is close to my favorite for James. I love seeing the curls and waves and body in his hair. It really does remind me of McDreamy's hair from Gray's Anatomy. I can't help it; I am a product of my generation.

Calvin had his first quarter award ceremony for 5th grade. Way to go 'All As' Calvin!

David and I got invites to the Wood's Halloween party, and he said, "Let's-a Go!" I tell you what this mustache and hat were just the cutest! I went as a simplified Princess Peach because I could not find the pink dress I thought I had in my closet. I suppose one of those moments to purge helped me and hurt me whenever I gave that away.

The main event of Halloween came! Calvin was so ready to be Toad; he was fired up!

The boys had their Storybook parade at school, so here are some pictures of them walking in it! Or if you are David, maybe you are doing the griddy.

One more time for Toad and Mario! David was done with the mustache by this point, haha!

We let the boys carve their own pumpkins. Cavlin picked out a mushroom stencil and David wanted a Lego Ninja eye pattern. I think Calvin ended up cutting his hand, but not too badly. I suppose that is how you learn sometimes, even though momma tries to prevent it.

Had to display the pumpkins on our front porch with our decorations. The boys love decorating for Halloween, so I let them do it every year. We go to the dollar store and pick out whatever they want, and then we throw it out afterwards. It is a glorious system: they enjoy it for one day, and I don't have to be in charge or store stuff I don't want! win-win.

The moment for trick or treat! Our little Mario had some help getting out his Mario Kart from the garage, but then he just took off. I have no idea because I wasn't right there when they got his Kart out. I think I went to get a picture and he just took off! It actually made me quite a bit mad because we don't let the boys go trick or treat alone, especially not at 7 years old! Little Turkey! Tracked him down and all was well, thank the Lord.

David and Calvin's pumpkins.

Hayden and James' pumpkins - but I'm not sure which is which!

My little run away Mario. We did manage to get a group picture, but not with both of our 'shy guy's. Loved this family costume - I did try to convince Matt to sing the 'peach' song from the new Mario movie, to me (since he was Bowser) but no luck!

Thank you Lord for a lovely month of school, soccer, and visits from our kids' grandparents. Thank you for the tradition of Halloween where we see our neighbors. I know it has made our neighborhood feel like a part of our community. Thank you for the chance for James to go with some friends, and for the fun of a silly family costume. Thank you for all your blessings to us Lord; may we continue to recognize the ways you are present in our provision and protection. May we not fail to see your hand at work in our lives. Help us to see it more. Amen.