Friday, October 17, 2014

Learning How to Monkey Around

Mitchell took some time to help Derek figure out the monkey bars. Derek wasn't too excited about the prospect of falling, but he was definitely excited when he moved his hand to the next bar. That was where he got stuck, but improvement is improvement! He loves spending time with Dad.

It's quite the climb to the top. Mitchell is 6'3" for reference.

 Swinging to get the momentum to move to the next bar...

 Just like a cat, Derek always lands on his feet

 Bank left! Bank left! Cover fire! Pew pew pew!

 Bryce wanted to try buuuut.... he's definitely not old enough yet.

 Daddy is so handsome!

 I love Texas. I love the sunsets in Texas. 

Wide open sky means vast displays of beautiful color. This photo doesn't even do it justice.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Derek's First Field Trip

Derek's preschool class had their first field trip today! Turns out Amy's kindergarten class was going to the same pumpkin patch at the same time on the same day. Derek was so excited to learn we were going to meet Aunt Amy AND see pumpkins. His class met up at the Big Orange Pumpkin Farm in Celina. Fortunately, Aunt Lizzy was so sweet and was able to watch Bryce and Clara so Derek and I could make it a special Mommy and Me trip. The unfortunate part was that we spent two hours driving all over North Texas (from Celina to Weston to McKinney to Prosper) trying to find the pumpkin patch. We arrived just in time to have lunch with the preschool class before they all left. Derek and I, however, made the most of it and had a blast feeding the animals and enjoying the hay ride. We walked and talked and had a great time. Aunt Amy had to focus on keeping her kindergartners in order, but we were able to steal a few minutes with her before we had to go home. I love spending time with my Derek!

Derek loooooves longhorns!

He was afraid of the cow's tongue, but eventually he got over it.

Let me give you a kiss...

The black cows preferred to watch from a distance but Derek was intent on making friends

Derek thought it was hilarious that the sheep had to kneel down to eat the food

Derek loves animals...

...and tractors!

Hundreds of little pumpkins, all in neat rows

I told Derek to pick any pumpkin in the patch. He was so excited to have an open invitation to express himself. :)

He found the perfect one!

So excited to be riding on the hay ride!

I thought Aunt Amy would love the pig hay bale

Derek loved the spider!

As we rode the track for the hay ride, there were little signs that told the tale of a farmer who had gone out to check the hay and never returned. We found him. :)

I love being mommy to this awesome little dude!

Derek loves his Aunt Amy!

Derek mimicked the faces on the pumpkin hay bales

This one is my favorite - more of a popeye, lol

This is great stuff!

Even the hay bales were startled when Derek decided to crawl into a small tunnel, haha.

He definitely has a love of adventure!

What more does a young boy want than a beckoning hallway and permission to run?

And there he goes...

Derek loved this little white church we saw from the hayride. He begged to come back to check it out, but the door was locked. We contented ourselves with taking a few pictures around it. 

Derek always has a soft spot for trucks. :)

Birthday Pizza

Usually we get birthday hamburgers when the kids have a birthday, but Tammy surprised us with birthday pizza! Yum!! Liz and the kids came over to help us celebrate and eat it. Thanks everyone! 

Oakley is unfazed 

 Cousins!

 These brothers are too cute!

 Tammy remembered my favorite pizza - chicken spinach alfredo with bacon/chicken bacon ranch. YUM! Here's to 27!

 Derek, Isaac and Andrew helped me blow out my candle.

Emeri and Bryce were content to help eat it. :)

Friday, October 10, 2014

Out in Force

 There is enough room for everyone to play!

 These two are such good friends. "Eme" and her "Byce"

 Best. Picture. Ever. The boys quickly figured out how to work together to get the most height, but they bonked heads a couple times in the process

Andrew called dibs on this swing right from the start

 Even the adults got to play on the fort

 Emeri climbed all over the fort

 Stinker!

 Emeri taught Bryce how to "fly" on the swings

 Super Bryce!

 Dinnertime!

The first of so many wonderful memories!