Presidential Advice from Kyra

So, today I head off to vote in what is a dismal election.  Dismal.  Lesser of two almost evils at this point, but I digress.

I ask Kyra who I should vote for and here is how it went:

Kyra: Obama!

Me:  Ok, so why should I vote for Obama?

warning: this is not politically correct

Kyra:  He's the brown one isn't he?

Me:  Yes, he is the brown one.

Kyra:  You should vote for him.

Me:  Why, Kyra?

Kyra:  Well, he would be the first brown president.

Me:  What if he sucks as president?

Kyra:  Well, they all suck at first, don't they?  

Words of wisdom from the 2nd grader.

Halloween Fun

I know this picture is fuzzy, but I love it!

So, as you know, Halloween is always quite the event in our house.  Larry has done his part in decorating the house with all the requisite spider webs and strobe lights.  The kids chose their costumes early enough to have them all here on time.  There are parties and trick or treating many days this week.  And last night was the first.  Our good friends and neighbors threw their annual Halloween Pumpkin carving/ petting zoo/ chili/ hang out in the culdesac until dark party and it was great fun. 

This is what Kierstin looked like toward the end of the night, playing with animals and chasing kids and eating all kind of treats.  She started out looking more like the last picture, though that did not last long.


Kyra looked beautiful in her fairy costume, though, once again, all of the extras did not stay on for long, as you can see in the first picture.  It turns out they were just too concerned about the fact that there weren't very many kids in costume.

Kaden was in his Indiana Jones costume for about 15 minutes until he realized that he was the only one of his age group in costume, and he promptly returned home to change.  He did have a great time taking pictures of all of the animals and kids on our street.   And then there was Kierstin.  She was so cute in this little costume, that in no way reflects her personality as she is just wonderful.  Kimball had NO desire to have his picture taken, but he did stay and hang out with us for the evening.  It was a great night and the perfect beginning to this week of celebrations.

Perspective

Good morning all.  So, I am trying to talk myself into making myself go to the gym, which is a despised act for me.  I sit down to check through some emails and filter through some blogs I keep up with and realize that I haven't checked in on Stephanie in awhile.  And then it hits me.  

c jane enjoy it: Guest Post by Sister-in-Law Lisa: Progress and Perspective

c jane enjoy it: Baby Sister

Perspective!  In a whopping, humbling, near tears dose.  Suddenly going to the gym doesn't seem so daunting.

Pumpkin Patch!

We made it!  It was a busy but beautiful Friday afternoon and Larry had flown in from Washington DC and we met up at the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch.  It has become a tradition around here and it was just as much fun as it always is.  There was enough to do to keep them busy and interested.  Kierstin thought that everything was exciting, of course.  Here are a few pictures to share of our afternoon.

Oh, that handsome boy who still walks up for hugs from his mom who will not be taller than he is for too much longer is now, as of this moment, 12 years old.  It is almost too hard to believe, but he really is.  

Big Weekend!

Well, I don't have any of my own pictures to post as I ended up without my camera, as did Larry.  We both forgot!  As some of you know, we ran the McAuliffe Fall Carnival again yesterday, which was the second time for us. It was so much more enjoyable for me as we knew better than we did last year. The team was incredible and it seemed to be just the right balance.  I am not sure yet whether we will do it again or not, but it was fun.  I will post pictures as I receive them.  

It is certainly Fall around here.  It is a pleasant temperature with leaves falling and pumpkins in every other yard.  Larry has pulled out Halloween decorations and the house looks great.  We are in for a few more busy weeks as we have Kimball turning 12 this weekend!!  Hold on, I have to catch my breath on that one.  

Ok.  Back to business.  12!  And then Halloween, which is a well loved holiday around here.  I may even dress up this year.  :)  We shall see.  We are going out to my parents house later today and that is always fun.  Have a quiet Sunday!!!

Apple Orchard sadness

So I just looked up the crop info for the orchard I want to go to next week and they lost their entire crop!  They are closed for the season.  I am in mourning now. Where, oh where, can we find somewhere to pick apples?  I mean, I know that we can go to cool places in Maine and Virginia, they are amazing...but where in the heart of Texas can you pick apples?!?  

Frankly, it may be time to drive our way up to Louisburg, KS.

Fall fun for all

Well, it's October and I have so many things I want to do for fun this Fall.  Of course we will make our annual trip the Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound.  I can honestly say that it is one of our favorite places to go.  Why?  It is all that Fall is in this magnificent place where you secretly feel a little bit of envy at the beautiful home they live in and the way that they live.  And then you go home and appreciate that you don't have to do all of that work.  Seriously.

And then, this year I have decided that I want to go to an Apple Orchard and pick apples and make something fun and yummy.  Pies, apple butter, baked apples...YUM!

Photo Gallery

This will at least show you what I mean.  I think this is the only orchard around, that I can find anyway.  I want to go there next week.  Larry will be out of town and has zero interest in the apple picking adventure.  So, if you want to do something a little different and don't mind the cost of the gas to get there...let's go.

What else?  Well, we have our Fall Carnival at school this weekend that should be lots of fun.  I am in charge of this little thing, so I am actually really looking forward to it being finished.  :)  It looks like everything is coming together really well, so I am now just hoping that we raise lots of money for the school.  

What do you do for fun in the change of seasons?