Halloween Night!

Well, at this age it's more like Halloween afternoon.  And since Joshua was still having issues with putting on the policeman uniform, it turned into an afternoon at home.  Joshua had a chance to help Grandma hand out the candy to the other trick-or-treaters, which turned out to be lots of fun!

Swinging with Grandma...


Grandma and Joshua...


Grandma and Alyssa...


Rolling around in the grass...


Deep thoughts...


Halloween hugs...


Making a getaway...


Man down!  You're on your own, Alyssa!


Both looking at the camera... how about a couple of smiles?


There's one smile...


Yes, I suppose that makes two smiles...

Pumpkin Carving!

After last year's fun little family pumpkin carving turned into the masterpiece that was "Tigger," a few ground rules were stipulated this year.  Joshua helped design the first pumpkin.  He chose the shapes to be used for the eyes, nose, and mouth.  Eyes were oval, nose was circle, and mouth was square.  He also said he wanted a "scary" pumpkin.  The second design was chosen out of a book where difficulty was rated anywhere from 1 to 5 stars.  No design above 2 stars was allowed.  The rules were followed and a good time was had by all ;)

Let's get started...


Thirty second later.  "Keep up the good work, Dad!"


Scary!!  And for those sticklers... Uncle Andy... the teeth are squares and the mouth is a rectangle...


Heather was putting Joshua to bed one night in his pitch black room.  She was quite spooked when she opened her eyes to find the Grim Reaper hovering over her... Joshua thought it was funny...


Family picture!


Family picture take 2!

Playin' with Pumpkins!

Joshua and Alyssa each had their own pumpkin this year.  Here are a few pictures of them playing in the backyard before we carved them up!

Hugs for the pumpkins!


That pumpkin is as big as you, Alyssa!


Wow!  They're both smiling!


Crazy Joshua...


Sweet smile, Alyssa!


This is nice... but I feel like I'm forgetting something...


Ah yes, there it is.  Now here again, he looks like he's being sweet, but the second that camera turns...


Body slam!  Good thing I set up that hidden camera!


All's well that ends well...

Halloween Party!

One of my partners at work had everyone out to his ranch for an annual Halloween Party.  They put on a great party!  The kids had a great time!  Here are some of the pictures...

What a cute ladybug!


Lookin' good, Alyssa!


Joshua was going to dress up as a policeman this year.  He was very excited... he pointed out every police car for weeks and told everyone he was going to be a policeman.  But when the time came and we were getting ready for the party, everything changed!  In the end, he agreed to go as an undercover policeman as you can see in the picture below.  It turned out to be a good costume... no one suspected a thing ;)


Checking out the haunted house with Dad!


After a few times he was brave enough to go on his own...


That ladybug costume is HOT, HOT, HOT!!

Planting Jasmine...

We decided to take on the ailing trellis as our last home improvement project in the rental house.  Luckily we had lots of help pulling up the old roots, repairing the trellis, mending the fence, and planting some new jasmine!  For those greenthumbs out there, we ended up planting a combination of Star Jasmine and Carolina Jasmine.  Here are some photos...

Diggin' in the dirt wagon...


Planting some jasmine...


Good helper!


I don't know about this dirt, Dad... it kind of stinks!


Project manager...


Lookin' good!


Break time!


Finishing touches...


A job well done!


Good work, everyone!

Happy Thirty-*!$*# Birthday, Mom!

We kicked off birthday season with a family party for Heather!  Here are some pictures from the festivities...

Mom and Alyssa...


Happy Birthday, Mom!


Look at those gifts... what a thoughtful family!


Mom and Joshua


Celebrating with some milk...


Birthday steak dinner!

A Lunch Date with Alyssa...

Things are FINALLY starting to cool off in central Texas.  Since it's been cooler, we've been able to spend a little more time outside exploring!  Before we get to the outdoor pictures, we'll start this update off with a glimpse of "Alyssa the Entertainer" eating her lunch...

It's time for lunch time with Alyssa!!


A unique take on how to use a plate... and yes, she eventually managed to eat that little bit of food...


Ha-ha!  Success!


Alyssa smiling for the camera... look at all those teeth!


Oh my goodness!  What happened over there...


Hmmm... looks like I need to work on my distractions... how's a girl supposed to take care of things when there are cameras everywhere?!  Maybe we should see what Joshua is doing right now...


Thanks for the distraction, jelly face!


More crazy smiles!


Thanks for lunch, Alyssa!