Veteran's Day Parade 2012

Aunt Jan & Grandma Jackson invited the boys and me to join them today at the Veteran's Day Parade in El Dorado. Since Steve had to work today it was the perfect opportunity for us to get out of the house. An added bonus was that Cousins D.J. & Makenzie joined us too! It was an extremely windy day. The fall leaves were blowing all around us, and I was nervous that Reece would blow over in the wind! But overall we had a fun outing.

Waiting patiently for the parade to start...with goldfish crackers in hand!

The boys with cousins D.J. & Makenzie. We had the perfect spot to view the parade!

Check out Rosalia's new Pink Camo Tanker

Yay! The El Dorado Fire Trucks! Looks like Reece is about to blow away!



Garrett loved waving his new flag...showing his pride in the Red, White, & Blue!

Birthday Time

Happy Birthday to Steve!

Our family had something to celebrate on election night - Steve's Birthday! I rounded up all of his favorites: Cherry Cheesecake, Oklahoma Boys BBQ, and his Wonderfully Rambunctious Boys (plus Grandma Jackson was there to help celebrate too)!

I think he enjoyed the evening almost as much as his boys enjoyed the cheesecake!

Happy Birthday Smiles! Reece left some of his BBQ on his shirt!

Daddy had some assistance blowing out his candles.

YUM!

More cherries, please!

PEEK!

Somebody's in the kitchen cabinet...

...who could it be???

PEEK!

It's REECE!

This series of pictures reminds me of another cute little man from a few years ago...Click Here!

K-State Saturday

 Last Saturday Steve & I joined his brother & sis-in-law, Billy & Donna, on a trip to Manhattan to watch the K-State Wildcats defeat the OSU Cowboys. Billy & Donna have season tickets in the end zone, so we were able to get some great close-ups of the team & Coach Snyder. It was also fun to watch the game from our seats that were practically on the field - especially when the teams scored! Though we used to claim we had OSU-orange running in our veins while Steve coached there, it's been fun to be back in Kansas, and root for the "home" team!

Coach Snyder

This was the view from our seats - I am not using my camera zoom at all!

Team Unity - coming in at the half.

Before the game, we wandered around Bramlage Coliseum, which is next to the football stadium...We look forward to seeing a basketball game here someday - but I need to see my Jayhawks inside Allen Fieldhouse first!! (Rock Chalk!)

Inside Bramlage we  had our picture taken next to the BCS trophy - Hopefully it will find it's place at home in Manhattan on January 7, 2013!!
(Yes - we are wearing our Butler gear to a KSU game...it was either our Butler Purple, or we'd have to choose between OSU-Orange or KU Crimson & Blue!)

After-Halloween Sale!

I hit the Wal-Mart Day-After-Halloween Clearance Aisle and found some fun costumes for the boys to play around in. FYI - I was very good and avoided the half-off candy this year!

Choo Choo! All Aboard!

This picture makes me think he's saying, "Well, hello there, ladies!" HA! My little ladies man!

Somebody is NOT happy!



Clown Baby



Garrett especially loves this Spiderman costume (though, it's clearly too big!) He is demonstrating his web-blasting skills. We have determined the older boys at daycare must play "Spiderman", since I don't think Garrett has ever even seen the cartoon...yet he loves all things Spidey!

Happy Halloween! 2012

Garrett is fascinated by everything firefighter-related...so this year there was no doubt about what he would dress up as for Halloween: a Firefighter! He also decided that Reece would make a perfect fire dog. So a phone call was made to Grandma Nana, and a few weeks later a package arrived in the mail with the PERFECT costumes for the boys!! Thanks, Mom!

Our little Fireman, his fire dog, and a scarecrow...along with about 100 boxelder bugs! The boys were more interested in the bugs than having their picture taken - so this was as good as I could get.



Our first stop: Grandma Jackson's house! Trick or Treat!

Isn't he a sweet li'l fire puppy??

Aunt Pat was doing some redecorating, and her ladder led to the perfect photo opportunity!

Happy Boys on Aunt Jan's front porch swing.

Chilly Fall Day

Last weekend Steve had to work on Saturday, so we bundled up and headed out to Grandma Jackson's house for the afternoon! The Jackson Cousins joined us for some fun outdoors.

Reece is on a mission!

FOOTBALL! With Cousin D.J.

I overheard Garrett telling DJ to tackle him. DJ responded that he didn't want to tackle...and then Garrett proceeded to explain to DJ, "You HAVE to tackle - it's Football!"

Rosy Cheeks

Reece found Garrett's old wagon & pulled it all over the yard. A new favorite!

Garrett vs. Cow - I think they are both a bit skeptical of each other!

I LOVE this beautiful little boy!

2012 Maple Leaf Festival

It's that time of year again...Fall Crafting Season!

A few weekends ago Garrett & I loaded up and headed for Aunt Ginger's home in Olathe for a weekend of fun, crafting & food! Once again, we spent Saturday at the Baldwin City Maple Leaf Festival. It was a beautiful day - the temperature was just right & the fall colors were amazing!



Drinks? Check. Snacks? Check. Happy 3-Year-Old? Definite Check!

Our close friend, Darci, made the trip from Iowa for her 2nd Crafting Weekend! She wasn't alone...Baby Boy Bangert was along for the weekend adventure! Can't wait to meet him in person next March!!

CHEESE!

Garrett's Cousin Colt (Cousin Shelly Scotten's oldest) and Garrett had fun together. They look like they are ready to roll!

I didn't make very many purchases this year. But I could not resist this sock monkey hat for Garrett!

This festival is definitely a great family outing opportunity - complete with pony rides!

What a splendid day!



There is also a parade, complete with...FIRE TRUCKS! Garrett was especially excited to see the many different emergency vehicles go by, lights flashing & horns blaring!

...and what fall outing would be complete without a super slide ride??