Adventure Guides Camp

Brant and Brian went on their first Adventures Guides campout this weekend at Camp Grady Spruce. It was a little bit of a challenge for Brant because he is a home body and most comfortable with the familiar, but I think he started to adjust and enjoy himself and will hopefully be better able to enjoy the spring campout even more than this one. They stayed in a large cabin with bunk beds and had so many activities that they could participate in . . . sounded like a lot more going on than I remember from Girl Scout camp back in the day. They had fishing, horse back riding, archery, BB guns, etc. Brant chose not to go horseback riding, but did try out the BB guns and fishing and loved the fireworks the last night and I know he loved spending the weekend with dad. Brian said he was the first one in their group to start playing with the other boys in their cabin and they chased, wrestled and had light saber fights just like you would expect from a group of young boys.

Chillin'

Two of Brant's friends from school, Michael and Shmuli and their flashlights.

Some of the dads and sons fishing on the lake.

Brant on the beach.

The horse barn.

Our group preparing to ride horses.

Some of the boys out by the lake. (Brant is on the far left).

Brant and daddy.

A little touch of home. Playing video games on daddy's blackberry.

Girls Trip to the Dallas Arboretum

Brant and Brian went out on their Adventure Guides campout this weekend, so I decided to take the girls on a little outing to the arboretum. The girls loved running around looking at the flowers and playhouses and seeing the Koi fish. It was such a gorgeous day and I was so happy that we were able to get out and enjoy the weather. What a great way to spend a Saturday!

Right when we got there the girls were running up and down these paths acting like airplanes. So adorable.

Looking over the bridge at the fish.

Claire crying because she had to share her popcorn with Cate. Drama!

Cate enjoying her popcorn.

Cate giving her sissy a kiss.

My two sweet girls. Love'em so much.

Tossing leaves.

Enjoying their lollipops and checking out the house made out of pumpkins.

They loved going in all of the playhouses.

Ahhh. Having a little lemonade after a tiring trip.

Hunting and Fishing at Bay Flats Lodge

Brian just got back last week from a trip to Bay Flats Lodge in Seadrift, Texas. He and Bruce took a client Ty and his brother Lee for a few days of duck hunting and fishing. Although the morning start time was a little early for Brian they had a good time and caught a lot of fish and ducks.

Bay Flats Lodge

A self-portrait of Brian and Bruce.

Showing off their catch of the day.

And all of the ducks they caught.

Brant-my favorite boy.

Sometimes I feel like I don't include quite as many pictures of Brant as the girls, but truthfully he is a little resistant to posing for pictures right now so it isn't always easy to get a good one. We have had a good fall and love his teacher this year. His speech really seems to be coming along and he is still taking Tae Kwan Do. Love this little guy so much.

Brant in a rare willingness to pose in the circle in front of Target. I got him a Power Rangers costume the day after Halloween and he has been wearing the mask ever since.

A quick shot through the window at Rick's Kicks. Yes, I'm the crazy mom trying to capture a quick pic with the iphone.

HalLoWeEn!!! Boo!

We had a great Halloween this year. It was so nice having it on a Saturday so there was no rush after school and work. We went over to a friend's house around 4 o'clock and hung out with friends and their kids. The kids really enjoyed playing and seeing all of their Halloween decorations. We went back home a little after 6 o'clock to start trick or treating in our neighborhood. The kids LOVED trick or treating. Of course, Brant knows what is is all about now and this was the first year the girls were really able to walk the whole way and stay out a little later. We all had a blast and then came home to crash and enjoy a little of our loot.

Princess Ariel and Princess Jasmine ready to go to the party!

Here, let me adjust your crown.

The girls loved this little ghost that plays music and dances.

Brant looked so grown-up as an X0Wing Pilot.

Brian with Andy and another friend he knows from work.

Brant playing. Why are other people's toys so much better than your own?

Andy, Natalie and Melissa

Brian and I.

Mommy and Claire having a little candy corn snack.

Claire modeling her Jasmine costume.

The girls playing with some of the yard decorations.

Trick or Treat!

Brant having so much fun.

Dad trying to control the "wild bunch".

Ahhh--home at last. Costumes came off and it was time to watch a show with a little candy snack.

Everyone was good and tired and Brant even shared a little with daddy.

Oakhill Halloween Party

Brant's school party at Oakhill was a lot of fun. They got to wear once piece of their Halloween costume, so Brant wore his X-Wing Pilot suit, without the chest piece and helmet. It was fun wearing something besides a uniform to school. At their party they painted Halloween masks and had snacks. It was a nice warm-up to the weekend and nice to have a chance to celebrate with his classmates.

Brant before school in part of his X-wing pilot uniform.

Some of his classmates in their costumes working on their masks.

Brant and Ellie painting their masks.

B showing off his pumpkin mask.

Modeling their costumes.

The Fall Party at Sonshine School

The girls had their Fall party at Sonshine School on the Thursday before Halloween. It was so cute because all of the kids and their teachers wore their costumes and the kids were so excited. Somehow I got put in charge of the craft for the group, so we brought in orange helium balloons and glued on Jack O' Lantern faces. Despite the loss of a few balloons it went pretty well. Daddy surprised us by showing up at the party after he took Brant to school. The girls were squealing and excited to see him and have him at the party.

Claire in her Jasmine costume. She had to hold her princess harp (not part of the costume).

Cate hammin' it up in her Ariel costume.

Claire was over the moon to wear her Jasmine costume. Just beaming.

The girls with their teachers.

Brian and Claire

All the kids in their costumes at the table.

Cate with her balloon Jack O' Lantern.

Cate with her cookie and balloon.

Dad visiting with Cate and Claire.

Mom with her girls.

The princess castle was a huge hit--everyone wanted to play with it.