happy halloween!

How fun is Halloween? 

I have always loved October... pumpkins, fall colors, the first smells and the cool air of football season always come around Halloween.  Not to mention, one of the finest ladies I know was born on the 7th of this beautiful month (love you, D).  This year Halloween was as rushed as it could ever be... I barely got the garland up around the door, I completely overlooked putting up orange twinkle lights (*sigh*) and some of the decorations didn't make their way out of the attic, but overall with our crazy travel schedules lately, I'd say it was a strong effort! 

This year we did Halloween a little different... let me explain...

Every year I buy bags on bags of candy and 3 (count-'em-THREE!) kids come to the door.  And every year, I am so disappointed by the lack of trick-or-treaters on our street. So, to circumvent my inevitable sadness, I decided (at the VERY last minute) to throw a "drink in the driveway" party with the neighbors on Halloween night.   

it. was. awesome.  

My super sneeky plan is to hopefully teach our neighbors that they can bring their kids to our house next year and all things in this earth will go back to normal when I get my trick-or-treaters.

Unfortunately, I was too busy hosting our friends that I forgot to get the camera out.  Let me paint you a picture: tacos, wine, beer, lots of small children running around cracked out on candy, screaming.  I thought it was great. 

...by that time of night, Travis was on his 3rd Halloween outfit.  This, I do have pictures of (at least I have pictures of outfit #1 and #2.) 

Here's my favorite:

See that little smile, don't be fooled, he kind of hated being a chicken.  And Jason kind of hated it too... he said, "seriously, a chicken? he couldn't be a cow?" I love that man.  But, Travis was my Fresh Egg!

  T's school threw a mid-morning parade where they lined up all the kids and walked around the building.  It was one of the coolest things I've witnessed.  Baby meltdowns, teachers dressed in all sorts of fun outfits, and lots of super heroes.

The mommy or daddy of that hulk gets a big gold star for the awesome green face. 

Babies on Parade

Mrs. Kat, one of Travis' favorite teachers

and here is the beginning of the baby meltdowns... it was so funny. 

that's horrible to say, but it was so bad you had to laugh!

Smile at the birdie :)

Travis' first outfit was all about getting to school without spitting up on the fuzzy chicken suit, so the FIREMAN appeared more out of necessity, than crazy mom-ness.  But, once I got it on him I couldn't help but go nuts about the pictures.

"they call me a fireman... that's my name..."

The last and final outfit was a train conductor.  It was just a little striped overall set that lived in the closet just waiting for this day.  There just happened to be the perfect conductor hat to go with it.  So cute. No one really needs to buy their kid 3 Halloween outfits, don't get the wrong impression, we only bought 1 and we just happened to have a couple backup options.

All and all, it was a great great day (and night!)

Love you all, hope you had a safe and happy Halloween!

xoxo, cyndy

Practicing walking

Here is Travis at school practicing walking 

(1 day after he did it for the first time!)

He's getting it! 

1st steps!

Today Travis gave the family a great 10 month old birthday gift... 

he walked!

3 or 4 very unstable steps in the middle of Cindy & Bills living room. 

I literally screamed with joy.  

Kids are amazing and the joy they bring - wow.  It really is hard to explain. 

- a blessed mommy.

Pumpkin Patch

Hello Pumpkins!!

Jason said today "can you believe it, it's almost been a year..." - it is unbelievable how fast time goes. A year ago I was very pregnant and digging through pumpkins to find just the right one, and this year, we went to the same pumpkin patch we always go to and we had a new little friend with us to share in the fun. 

 Aren't pumpkins just the prettiest thing? They make me happy.

my pumpkin.

Travis is standing these days and will walk with you if you hold his hand... 

or he'll hold himself up if he's got something to lean on. 

what a turkey. 

Happy fall, everyone.  Halloween is right around the corner! 

(just wish this heat would let up so it would actually feel like fall!)

xoxo, cb. 

Travis' new favorite past time

silly kid. 

Mu-ah-ha-ha-ha!

Beach baby

This weekend was such a nice getaway.  We did a ton, but managed to keep it slow and unplanned :) On Friday, Jason, Travis and I headed down to Rockport to get in some good old fashion family time.  We spent a lot of the time driving around looking at lots and properties - dreaming of the day we might have a little cottage of our own. Who knows if we'll ever actually do that, but it was fun to look!

One of our first stops was to Big Tree in Lamar.  Jason and I love this spot. 

Travis ate lunch and we tried to avoid being eaten alive by all the mosquitoes!  Look at those eyes... they are so pretty. 

One of the most fun parts of the trip was our little improv trip to the beach.  We didn't plan (obviously, as none of us had bathing suits!) to stop by, but boy did Travis love it.  He is a water baby for sure.  It was a hoot!

First time in sand... 

He liked it!  Especially when he found out how it goes through his fingers. 

off to the water...

I love this picture. 

First toes in the ocean

Check out those legs! 

he loves the water!

SPLISH SPLASH! priceless.

Travis' new thing: jumping forward to get to the crawling position!

awww.... weightless. 

It was a great trip wrapped up with a pretty little bow.  On our way home yesterday, we stopped off at Jason's parents house and popped in on Evan and Meigan's baby shower.  It's so nice getting to spend time with the people you love.  Their baby, Emma, will be here sometime around November 10th.  It looks like they're pretty well set after the shower, WHEW!  Kristi and Keri did a great job throwing it.  Just beautiful. 

Enjoy your Columbus Day today! 

xoxo, cyndy

Enjoying the heat at Seafair... boy it was hot! 

Busy bee... and a wedding!

Is it okay to come right out and say I'm a little overwhelmed?  I am.  It is true.  I know these blogs tend to be the "best versions of one's self" but I think that is fake so I'll just be honest.  I am in a constant state of exhaustion these days!

I am in full swing right now with recruiting season, my little turkey is all over the place (though I feel like lately I haven't seen much of him or J because I've been on the road so much) and my volunteer life is getting busier by the minute.  

I need a vacation - wait!  I have one scheduled!  Jason, T and I are heading down to Rockport on Friday to get to the beach and enjoy Seafair for a long weekend.  Boy will it be nice to have some family time.  I swear I'm turning off that darn phone. 

Now, since I know you all love hearing about my woes, I should share some cuteness.  My friend Ashley got married last weekend - wait, 2 weekends ago.  I'm a little behind!   Travis was the ring bearer and boy was he cute.  I think this blog is a shrine to my kid.  I'm sure that's annoying to anyone/everyone other than Jason, me and the grandparents, but I love it and can't help but smile when sharing.  

Not to mention, writing makes me happy.  Happy is good especially when stressed and overwhelmed :) 

Now, on to the Wedding!!

Ashley and John got married! 

But first... 

a little marriage advice from my niece Lauren "A marriege wife takes 3 husband" - she was so diligently copying the advice from someone else that says "A marriage takes 3.  Wife, husband and God" but she is learning how to write and

I thought it was just the SWEETEST thing. 

The ring bearer and his Bride. 

Here's a close up in his mini-tuxedo.

Ashey (bride), Keri (maid of honor) and Travis (ring bearer)

my boys - so handsome.

The wedding party

Jason's sister, Keri

The vows

The amazing cakes

Decorations

 

my homemade sangria :) 

Jason, Travis and Bill stopping to smell the roses...

baby races...

Congratulations Ashley and John!  It was a beautiful wedding!

xoxo, cb.

9 months old

Our baby boy turned 9 months old today!

Hot dog, he's cute. 

This is our life these days, a bit upside down! 

It is REALLY hard to get our wiggler to stay still for more than one or two photos at a time.  

Thank goodness I have super daddy to help with our little family photo shoots!

And, when he's not trying to crawl over the edge, he is cruising all over the house.  

Sweet little stinker is into everything :) 

After all that action, he was pooped.  

I can't believe he stayed still long enough for me to get this one. 

But it sure is sweet. 

Happy birthday baby.  We love you, love you, love you. 

xoxo, mom & dad

WARNING: This might make you tear up.

Kiddo is officially sick with the hand, foot and mouth virus and...

 with Jason out of town, I've had quite quite quite a long couple of days.  

End on end screaming followed by tylenol makes a smiley baby followed by end on end screaming.  

So I called for backup (grandma to the rescue!) and this is what I came home to today after a meeting: 

Thank God for moms. 

Thank you mama. You're a huge help - you probably don't even know. 

Bye bye from our buddy... hopefully this will pass soon. 

xoxo, cb.

pitiful.