Fall!

This fall has been a fun and busy one! I'm so glad we've been able to have so many fun experiences together as a family. Here are some pics of what we've been up to :)

Picking out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch! 

 

                                                Sam really liked the "ghost" pumpkins!

                                                                    Jane had fun too!

                       Sam has been pretty antisocial so we've had lots of fun staying at home ;)

                                                               Trip to Gardner Village!

                                                         Throwing rocks into the pond

  We told Sam he could pick out any treat he wanted and he chose an apple beer....he's definitely his daddy's son!

                                                         Jane got a fuzzy new coat!

                                                             The Scarecrow Festival! 

                                                           Sam loved riding the train!!!

                                                                         Happy Jane :)

                                                                    Sleepy Jane :)

 Hiked to a fun river.......I lost Sam 3 times on this excursion......needless to say we are NOT going back, BUT we had a fun time when we were all together ;)

                      Me trying to wink and drink at the same time........still lovin my orange bubbles ;)

                                  Love my boys when they are zoned out on their devices.......

                                                          Jane playing in the bumbo!

                                           My favorite part of fall...........Carmel apples!!!

                             Halloween!!! A cat and mouse went trick or treating at daddy's work!

 This silly black cat didn't want to go trick or treating so we played at Grandma and Grandpa's house instead ;)

                                                    Cutest little mouse in the world!

                                                           Aunt Shelly and baby Jane!

                             I LOVE when Sam does this and talks to baby Jane........so sweet!

                                                      She sure does love her big brother!

                                        Accidentally wore the same outfit as Sam.......awkward!

                                                        Sam working hard in the yard!

               Sam went to the Dentist for the first time and was so brave! We were so proud!

                          No cavities!!! (no cavities for mommy and daddy either.......nailed it!)

                                                Picking his prize out of the prize drawer :)

                              Speaking of teeth, it's a good thing Jane doesn't have any ;)

 Kevin sailing!!! Check out that hottie ;) No one should be able to make a life jacket look that good!

 Kevin went to San Fran to a conference for work and crushed his presentation......wish we could have gone with him! So proud of you Kevbev!!!





Oh and we got family pictures taken and they turned out so cute! We are giving them away as Christmas presents so I can't show them all, but here are just a few that we took :) 

 

                                        Cute huh?!? ;) Happy Fall and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!

Sam's Birthday!

We had a fun time celebrating Sam's birthday this year. He turned 3! Can't believe it! We spent the weekend at the Davis family cabin and and when we got home we had a big surprise for him. We decided to turn part of the basement into a playroom for Sam. Kevin and I stayed up past midnight putting it together before we left so that when we got home from the cabin (on his bday) it would all be ready and waiting for him :) I wish you could have all seen his face. He was SO excited! He couldn't believe it was all for him! It was a very special moment for all of us :) 

That night we had cake and ice cream with the Davis family and it was a blast! I took tons of pictures so I'll let them do the talking ;)

              At the cabin! I like this pic because it looks like Sam is saying, "Go America!"

                                                     Taking a walk down by the river

                                                             King of the Mountain!

                                      Jane eating her socks.......it's her new favorite thing :)

                                   Sam slept on the top bunk! Look how excited he is! haha ;)

 Steven and Siena......love them! This picture was taken right at the moment when Siena zinged Steven and totally put him in his place. Never knew how feisty she can be ;) hehe!

 I tried to take a cute pic of them lying on the bed together and believe it or not, this was the best one........

                                                            Still not very cute.....lol ;)

                                                               Before picture............

                                                                     After!!!!!!!!!!

                                                              Soooooooo happy!!!

                                                            Opening his presents :)

                                                 Having fun with his cool new helicopter

                                                        Random, but cute, pic of Jane :)

 Sam loves to build towers and show them off by saying, "See!" and gesturing with his hand....so funny!!!!

 

                                                               Blowing out his candle!

                                        Papa D with Great Grandpa and Grandma Davis

                                                       The wonderful Scott and Sheri :)

 Sam eating two pieces of cake (because it is his birthday and he can do whatever he wants!)

                                                         Opening more presents!

                 I love how excited my dad looks here! He's on the edge of his seat! bahahahahaha!!!

                                          Sam's favorite present of the night......a flashlight!

                                                        Baby Jane enjoying the party :)

                                                              Sam's birthday cake! 

                  The next morning after his big day we both ate cake for breakfast.......delicious!

           Happy Birthday Sam! We sure do love you and your big smiley happy face!!!!!!!!!!!

Too afraid.......

So I know my last post was kind of a downer, but I've got huge news! Have you ever been too afraid to do something? I'm sure everyone has in one way or another.... I'm not talking about bungee jumping or sky diving here, I'm talking about little everyday things. Like free samples, for example. For some reason if I'm alone I am too scared to go up and take a free sample at the store. Not exactly sure why.....I guess I think they'll judge me..... "Wow that girl took a free sample! She can't control herself....she has to eat everything! Watch out for that hungry girl!" ....... I guess I lack confidence when I'm not with someone. Weird. Hmmmm...... but anyways (sorry random tangent) I had a break thru today! It will probably sound silly to most of you, but I am so proud of myself I just had to share! Ok here I go......

You know how they have drive thru's when you go to the bank? Well I've been wanting and WANTING to use one since I've got two kids now, but I was too scared! How do you do the suction thingy??? Will I be able to get it open? Will they have deposit slips? Do I need to have my own pen? Will it suck my hand up there??? So many unknowns! I talked to my mom multiple times about what to expect and what you have to do, but for some reason I've been too afraid. Once I even had all the checks signed and the slip filled out and I pulled up and completely panicked! I ended up unloading both kids and dragging us all in and I looked terrible because I hadn't planned on getting out of the car and the guy that helped me said, "You do know we have the drive thru if that's easier for you...." HA! If only he knew.....

So today we were out running errands and it was such a beautiful fall day and I had just had a wonderful conversation with my amazing sister and for some reason, I'm not exactly sure what happened, but I knew.....it was time..... I could do this. I would do this. I purposely missed my freeway exit and headed straight to the blasted bank. I pulled up, filled everything out, stuck it in the tube and shooooooom! I nailed it! I dominated that suction thingy! Everything went smoothly and it was so easy!!! I feel like I could run a marathon right now! I DID IT!!! Boo yah! In your face scary suction tube! Haha!!!

Big news huh?!? So exciting :) What a great day! Phew! Who knows what tomorrow will bring?!? Maybe I'll go cliff jumping, or wrestle an alligator, or take that free sushi sample at the grocery store I've been dying to take for weeks now.......who knows?!? All I know is the day is mine and I couldn't be happier :) 

Conflict

Do you ever have days where you feel like you are letting everyone down and every person in the whole wide world is upset with you? Even yourself? Well today is totally one of those days for me. I don't know why but I feel like I keep getting in situations where I end up getting in trouble and disappointing people. Bleh! It's the worst feeling ever! 

It is so hard to feel like you are excelling in your calling at church, with household demands, with personal goals.....physical and spiritual, taking care of your kids, taking care of your spouse, being healthy, serving others, being kind, being outgoing, being a good friend, being a good mom....... I seriously feel like I'm going to explode!

It's hard when you feel like you are failing at everything. Now this is NOT a post where I am fishing for compliments. Not at all. I'm not even sure why I am writing all this. I guess it's kind of therapeutic. I think right now it's just the perfect storm. I just want to find a good balance and well basically be a better person. Does anyone else struggle with any of this? Am I crazy??? I just want to be one of those people that you see and you think to yourself, "Wow. That person really has it together." "She is so kind." "You can always count on her, she is so dependable."

There is a lot of pressure to be perfect in the world, especially the "mommy world."I don't want to be perfect, I just want to be someone who is always there for someone no matter what. I want to be someone who has a desire to go above and beyond in everything she does-not just gets by. Sheesh. I guess I have a lot of work to do.....lol!

 Anyways, on to some upbeat news......Baby Jane had her four month appointment today! She is still off the chart in her weight category (skinny little thing!) but she is in the 75th percentile for height! Tall and skinny......I'd say she has a good chance of becoming a ballerina if she wants to be ;) She is so much fun. I'm excited to bust out the rice cereal and have her try some new foods! She is such a sweetheart. I absolutely love her!

                                                              Our little keebler elf :)