Fall fun

It looks like October has finally brought us a little reprieve from the Texas heat! Of course it is still a little warm to be called fall in my book, but the mornings are perfect and the afternoons are perfect for going to the park and playing outside. In shorts, of course, but still -- it's progress!

We have been busy! It's always crazy to me how busy our fall seems to be -- it's just such a great time of year to take advantage of all kinds of fun stuff around town. And then we threw in a surprise trip to Nebraska -- fun!

October always brings lots of festivals and fun stuff to town around here. About five minutes from our house there was a small art festival that we went and checked out one weekend. It was pretty neat -- and the highlight for all the kids there was definitely this art car. Will was fascinated -- he would have stayed there all night. He is always so observant and he kept finding little things that Todd and I hadn't see until he pointed them out.




Thanks to having very generous people in our lives, we were able to make a surprise trip to Omaha the first part of October. It was a super quick trip, but we managed to fit in some fun. Of course Will's fun started as soon as we hit the airport -- he loved the bus that takes you from the parking lot to the plane. Now we know what to do on a rainy day...we'll just pay to park and drive back and forth from the airport. :) Then he got to ride in his own seat on the plane for the 1st time -- which he loved almost as much as the bus. He was a perfect traveler -- he truly loves everything about the experience, so he makes it easy on us. Of course we're driving at Thanksgiving -- we'll see if all of us have such a good attitude after that trip!

The highlight of the trip was probably our trip to Vala's pumpkin patch -- an Omaha tradition. None of us had ever been, but we figured that Will would like it so we went and checked it out. Will was so excited to go with "AJ, Grandma, and Nick!" and I don't think the experience disappointed.

One of his favorite exhibits was the bunnies -- he kept asking Grandma to take him back to see them again. And again...



Then we watched the pig races. In my mom's defense, I did cut all the other people that were also breaking the rules out of the picture - but I still thought it was funny that they we right next to the sign. :)



And of course there was a train -- which was a huge highlight for a little guy who loves dinosaurs and trains pretty much equally these days. When you got off the train you got to play in all kinds of kid-sized train stuff, including this pumpkin train -- so cute!



There was also the storybook area for the little people so Will of course had to check out all the ins and outs of those too.



AJ and Will checking out the Ernie pumpkin. Will was really perplexed when he saw that Ernie was flat.



And for all the farmers -- here's Will on the tractor. I loved this one -- he looks like he's taking it so seriously!



And we can't forget the fun we had at AJ and Grandpa's house! Jess bought Will this tackle dummy -- and I'm not sure who was more excited to get it out. :) Will wasn't quite sure what to think about it at first, but once he got the hang of it, he loved it! I'm sure it Will be the favorite toy waiting for him when he gets back to AJ's house!



So much fun in such a short weekend. It was so great to see everyone but it made us even more anxious to get back and spend more time at Thanksgiving. We should be there pretty much the whole week -- so those of you around Omaha, make sure to come see us!

So back to life in Houston...and the fun isn't over -- the Big Texas train show was in town! It's a model train expo that comes through town. Both Will and his friend Elyse are really into trains, so we thought they would have a good time -- and they did! There was tons of model trains to watch go "chug chug" and "choo choo" -- and they really were pretty amazing. Will also scored a pretty nice Thomas train table. :)

Here's Will ready for his day -- he insisted on wearing his conductor hat to go to the train show. He was definitely not the only little boy with that idea there.



Will and Elyse checking out one of the trains...check out Elyse's hat!



This weekend it's the Sam Houston football game and trunk treats...the October fun isn't over yet!

September

Huh. It's seriously already October?? How did that happen?

I'm not really sure what my excuse is this time...we've been really busy, but that really should be even more of a reason to have things to post. Except, sadly, I have not been so hot at taking pictures this month. So, you'll have to rely on the written word for the most part -- and a promise to do a better job this month.

We started off September in St. Louis for my friend Mary's wedding. Will stayed here and had loads of fun with Nana and Grandpa while Todd and I enjoyed a great weekend with some of our favorite friends. Remember the mention of bad picture taking?? Well this weekend was no exception. I have very little to offer...but here it is!

Leesa and I enjoying a little girl time on the wedding bus...

Todd and I all dressed up and ready for a little adult time...

Two of my most favorite people in the world -- too bad they have to live so far away. :(

Love ya Lees and Scott!

And as an added surprise, Mom and Nick happened to be in St. Louis the same weekend! We were able to spend a few hours with them on Sunday before we had to fly home and took in a few sights. Who knew St. Louis was such a cute place? We went to a really cool (and HUGE) sculpture garden (which of course Todd loved) and then checked out a little of downtown St. Louis. And again, I didn't do such a good job of picture taking. Mom had a few more than I did, but I don't have those digitally. So, just take my word for it. They were there. And so were we. Together. :)

Downtown St. Louis

As far as the rest of the month, Todd did his Tour de Cure bike ride a few weeks ago. He didn't tackle the 100 miles this year, partially because he's been fighting with his knee most of the summer. But Todd and Chris did go out and participate in the shorter ride. Melissa and I opted not to join them this time, so again, no pics. Sorry!

We've also been all about the potty at this house lately. I know, just what you want to hear about, right? We have started down the potty training path at our house and it's gone pretty well. Will does great as long as you remember -- just don't count on him telling you that he needs to go. But he is all about the treats and toys that have come along with doing a good job! And did you know they make dinosaur pull ups? Throw in some football underwear and you have a little boy who thinks this potty thing is not such a bad idea.

Here's the little guy with his biggest prize (read, Mom is a SUCKER), his own dinosaur train! He is still infatuated with all things trains AND dinosaurs, so needless to say the PBS show Dinosaur Train is a staple at our house. And now he has his very own train...can it get any better??

And to show you that we do just hang around the house, here's my guys enjoying a lazy Sunday morning -- complete with paper reading. :)

October really starts the festival season around here -- it's finally not crazy hot and there are all kinds of things to do during the beautiful fall weather. So I hope to do better and actually take pictures when we're out doing things...I know, crazy idea. But to start you off, here we are at an art festival in the town square by our house. Will loved the art car and kept finding things on it that Todd and I didn't see -- he doesn't miss a thing!

Oh yeah, and Todd turned 40 this month! And of course, I have no pictures. That is partially because we really didn't do anything -- just relaxed with a few friends and some football. Happy birthday Todd!

So here's to the start of fall. Football, cooler weather, and all kinds of fun picture-worthy activities! See you soon...I promise. :)