Halloween 2011

On Sunday, October 30st our church had their annual picnic at Rose Park. The kids loved the bounce houses and big slides. It was a beautiful day for this fun- filled afternoon spending time with our friends from church.

That night we did our 1st ever pumpkin carving with the kids. In the past I set our pumpkins out in October and left them through Thanksgiving. We figured Morgan would enjoy craving one so we started the tradition this year!

Pops was the carver and Morgan was his big helper!

Graham wasn't too sure about the big mess. He kept his distance from it!

Morgan drawing a face on the pumpkin...

Check out her drawing...

Then she worked on writing her name while Pops carved the pumpkin...

Graham was busy playing while everyone else worked on the pumpkin...


She was so excited about Pop's carving...

The finished product...

On Halloween morning Morgan woke up ready to Trick or Treat. She didn't understand why we had to wait until the end of the day. Thank goodness we had another activity planned. We went to Country Critters with MECPTA and spent the morning there. It is super croweded with field trips, etc. I guess we should have expected it since it was Halloween. The kids still had a good time!

Chasing the billy goats


Picking out a pumpkin


The kids with the turkey...


Listening to the storyteller...


After a good nap it was time to get ready for Trick or Treating. Our sweet neighbors in our old neighborhood invited us over for a cookout and to Trick or Treat. It was good to see all of our neighbors and their kids. We miss them like crazy and we've only been gone from the neighborhood 2 months.

Our little golfer and strawberry stortcake!

The kids (Lauren, Abby, Macy, Graham and Morgan)...The bigger boys were playing ball so Graham hung with the girls

Borrowing someone's trike to go for a spin...

Precious girl!

Cute boy!

Trick or Treat?

Daddy and his girl!

Me and my cuties!

The best family photo we got. The kids were busy enjoying some of their treats.

It was a very Happy Halloween for us and we hope it was for you too!!

CALL ME CRAZY!!!

After nearly three months of house hunting we weren't having much luck at all. We still haven't heard anything about the offer we put in on the short sale. I truly believes everything happens for a reason. We just needed the time to continue to search for our perfect home! Last week we found a house by the golf course that we thought we liked and walked through it twice and we decided to make an offer. It was a good location but it needed lots of updating. Ughh! This is what we found in all the houses we saw around the golf course and I wasn't really on board with it. On Thursday morning we were going to make an offer and I just woke up nervous and unsure about it. I wasn't sure I would be happy there until all the updating was done and who knew how long that all was going to take. I have always been drawn to two neighborhoods, The Lakes of Creekwood and Kings Mill. These are neighborhoods with newer, more updated homes in the area of Mansfield we wanted to end up in. So, that afternoon I really got motivated. I searched on Zillow.com in these two neighborhoods for all houses that were NOT for sale but met our criteria (in good locations (cul-de-sacs/low traffic areas), desired square footage and right numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms). Then I made little notes stating that we were interested in the neighborhood and if they would consider selling their home to call and signed Bryan's name and number (after getting his permission, of course). I dropped 22 notes in mailboxes between these two neighborhoods. I know - Crazy - right?!?! Well, Bryan got a call from a realtor that evening saying that the homeowner got our note and she had been at their house that day and the house was coming on the market on Saturday. She asked if we wanted to see it on Friday before it listed. We got with Micah (our realtor) and we went over to see it Friday afternoon. We walked in and fell in love with it...this if the home we both felt like we had been waiting and searching for...it is perfect for us!! It is in a cul-de-sac, great size, doesn't need one bit of updating(yay!!), backs up to a greenbelt and pond and I could go on and on. Bryan and I could sleep that night...we were so excited about this house. Early Saturday morning we send an offer over to the seller's realtor and just waited nervously all day to hear back. It was the most nerve wracking day ever!! That evening we got great news...the offer was accepted and we had a signed contract. We are SOOOOO excited about it. So, my note leaving strategy paid off. Since then we have received about 4-5 other calls from people that are thinking of listing their homes in the near future or would consider selling if the price was right. SO--it was a bold move on my part and I am SO happy I did it! We have the inspection scheduled for Tuesday and we are set to close on November 29th if everything goes as planned. We are praying it all works out. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Safari Park

Last week my friend, Jennifer and I took our kids to Safari Park in Southlake. It was nice because we had the place to ourselves and the kids were easily entertained by all the activies.

They had a blast playing in the Jungle Gym and ball pit!







They got to go on a thrilling robotic animal ride. Morgan picked the pretty zebra....It was super cute!

Clayton picked a wild rooster and it swung him all around. He held on tight and did great!!

Graham opted out of the animal rides. He was perfectly content just watching all the excitement!

Clayton LOVED the train tables.

Morgan had fun time jumping around on the trampoline.

Clayton and Graham spent a lot of time on the miniture golf course.



Clayton, Morgan and Graham on a safari ride through the tropical jungle

What a fun safari indoor adventure!