Happy Halloween!

The Vermillion Tribe had a great Halloween with friends and family this year.  No,  it was not my idea for everyone to be Indians!  It actually originated in the upstairs playroom by Corynne and Lauren.  Tyler was NOT happy to say the least, but the girls idea fit into our Halloween plans.  All we needed was a costume for Tyler, so it fit in the budget.  3 out of 4 kids were happy, so the majority wins!  Democracy at its best.  The kids bagged a rather large loot between trunk-or-treat at the church, a hot dog party at a old friends house, and trick-or-treating around the neighborhood!  

This year we started an exchange program which I have intended on doing for years but just never have.   The kids each turned in their candy at the end of the weekend for a special treat.  This year everyone got a new Webkinz.  Wow!  The candy is all gone just like that!

Our little Holy Roller

It was a normal Sunday morning in that we were running late!  Strangely, JM was actually here with us and we were all headed to church in the SAME CAR!  Tyler was fussing because he was almost late to his class, and why did we always have to park all the way over by the preschool and make he and Corynne walk.  So to try the calm the waters, JM pulled up to the children's building entrance to drop T, C, Lauren and me off.  As we were jumping out of the car, Lyndsey starts screaming "I want some JESUS. I want some JESUS!"  We were all laughing which made her scream and cry even louder.  By the time JM got her to her class she had calmed down because she got to go inside and "get some JESUS and Bible"!  Jesus did say, "let the children come to me."  We try our best not to exclude the 4th child!

3 Piggy Opera

My sweet Lauren was the Mommy Pig today at the ECS Kindergarden production of The 3 Piggy Opera.  It was a really cute musical, and the kids did a great job.  I was so nervous for Lauren when I realized she was the first one to sing her solo.  She did it with no problem!  She definitely gets that from her Dad, because I do not "perform" in front of an audience much less sing!  

This is just what I have been doing the last few days!  Planning and cooking for this reception!  It turned out cute and everyone had plenty to eat!

It's your serve!

 
Tyler is playing in a tennis tournament here in Montgomery today.  This is just the first of many things to keep us busy while Jm is gone.  He lost in the first round this morning 6-7,6-4,8-10.  He did a great job and I was proud of his sportsmanship and endurance.  We are playing again in a few hours.  I pray that he does GREAT so the attitude will not be gloom and doom all day tomorrow!  BUT...I am not sure the girls (or I) can handle another 2+ hour match!

Out to the mission field!!

John Mark left this morning with a group from TREC International headed for India.  This is his third medical/mission trip with them.  This trip is planned to be more like the first one- a two shower trip!  One shower when he lands in India.  Then up into the mountains.  Another shower before he leaves to come home!  (Thank goodness!) He was excited to go, and I am more relaxed about him leaving than I have ever been.   Let's just pray that it is a fast 9 days!  It will be...with all that is on the calendar between now and then!

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze

We had a great family day today.  Our first stop was the The Grand 'Ole Pumpkin Patch in Canton, AL. 

 

 The girls were really excited about going.  Their favorite part of the pumpkin patch is playing in the hay stack, riding the ponies, and jumping in the inflatables.   The actual pumpkin patch is just pictures for Mom that they endure for the fun!  Lyndsey was such a big girl.  She kept pace with the big kids without missing a beat.  She loved the ponies and watching the helicopter land and take off.  Maybe next year we will she JM and Tyler ride in that helicopter!  

 

We ate lunch ate the pumpkin patch before driving east to the Corn Maze.  We had seen this advertised in a parenting magazine so we decided to give it a try!  It took us a while to get there and we almost lost Lyndsey since it was past nap time!  All the kids enjoyed running through the maze until we found our way out.  It was quite simple to navigate through.  It was not the challenge I faced 5 years ago with my mom, Tyler, Corynne, and infant Lauren in Pennsylvania!  I thought I would be lost in that maze until the rescue squad came in at dust!

Again, the maze was not the highlight of the afternoon.  Lyndsey loved the animals.  They had a goat, pig, calf, rooster with hens and ducks.  Lyndsey would sit and "oink" at the pig.  She pet everything, including the hen who "pecked" her pack.  That was so funny to see.  She was completely taken off guard that the hen did not want her to pet it!  The girls enjoyed to feeding barrel of corn kernals to bury themselves with.  John Mark and Tyler's favorite thing was the shooting range with an airgun that propelled corn cobs into targets.  

Needless to say by the time we finally got home, the kids graciously took baths and were ready for beds.  We were all exhausted from fun!

Take me to the AL National Fair! All my friends go!

 

This is what we have heard for a couple of years from Tyler.  This year we decided to give it a try on Family Faith night which was a Thursday. We did not get out to the fair until 6:30pm so we were glad that the girls did not have school on Friday and Tyler was going on a field trip!  It was the perfect night.  The crowds were minimal and continued to decrease as it got later.  The kids enjoyed the rides, animals, and food.  We closed the rides down at 11 pm.  Time to get home, baths and bed!