I love these girls!

A couple of weeks ago, Jill and I took our NEON girls on our first ever camping trip! Jill is an expert camper and did a great job planning our trip. We only had 3 girls since Lindsey got sick at the last minute, but we still had a great time. The girls did a great job of roughing it! It was great to have a chance to reconnect with the girls since we've been so busy lately!

Emily, Rachel, and Katelin

At the river. Katelin, Emily, and Jill risked falling in to take this pic. Rachel and I were not interested in that!

In an effort to cross the river in a different spot, Emily lost her shoe and had to swim for it. What a good sport she was!

While Emily was swimming, we spotted a rope swing and decided she at least needed to try it since she was already wet. Rachel and Katelin joined in too. We definitely should have packed swimsuits.

A group shot in front of the tent.

Another group shot, in front a huge tree.

Halloween Fun

On Thursday, we carved our pumpkin. Jonas really loved this activity and would have played with the pumpkin guts all week if we let him. Reef, on the other hand, thought that this was way too messy.
This is the only picture of Reef during the carving. Once the guts came out, he was out of there!

Jonas dug right in! He took it out, put it in, and threw it around!

Reef thought Jack needed a little cleaning after he was carved. He still thought it was pretty yucky.

Reef was much happier with his mini pumpkin, which he decorated at preschool with stickers.

Reef currently is in love with these yellow mittens that were found in the pocket of his jacket. We had to wear them Michael Jackson style one day because Jonas also insisted on having one.

On Halloween, we went to Trunk or Treat at our church, which is where everyone parks their car and the kids go car to car for candy.

Here's our family pic as the Wiggles.

Reef was really not sure what was going on with Archer, and Archer just wanted to read Reef's shirt.

It did not take long for Jonas to figure out the trick or treating.

Finally a genuine smile in the bouncy castle! He kept climbing out, saying, "There's something going on in the castle."

One last super bounce before going home.

Overall, I think the boys had a great time, but we were ready to get them home and to bed. Of course, Reef thought it was time to eat the candy when we got home! We told him he could have 1 in the morning and spent a little time hiding all the stuff we didn't want him to have. He didn't notice and has been happy to just carry it around today. Jonas was a little fussy towards the end of the night; he's been fussy this week because he's cutting his top molars. He's also been pretty clumsy this week, with at least one bump on the head each day and 2 bloody lips! I hope this passes soon.

Early politics

We headed to library today to get some new books, and they were also doing early voting there. I told Reef I was going to vote if the line wasn't too long today. Then I asked him (beware this is not politically correct, but I couldn't think of another way to distinguish the candidates for a 2 year old), "Should I vote for the white man or the black man?" He thought about this for a little bit and then very seriously answered, "The white man."
I didn't get to vote today because the line was way too long, but I'll keep that in mind when I do make it to the polls. Thanks Reef!
Pumpkin carving pics to come later today...

Pumpkin Patch

We made our trip to the pumpkin patch on Friday since Troy had the day off. It was nice to just hang out as a family this weekend, without any real plans. The boys had a good time at the pumpkin patch but thought the pumpkins were for climbing on. Apparently all of the good ones were in the middle. They also enjoyed the hay maze. Reef contemplated face painting until he saw what that actually was! Neither of the boys was very interested in the camera, so the pictures aren't great.

Reef was prepared, just in case it was dark at the pumpkin patch.

You mean these aren't for climbing on, Dad?

Hmm...Can I pick that big one up instead?

They really liked this giant orange monkey.

Finally a smile!

With the winning pumpkin. We'll be carving him tomorrow.

Reef giving Jonas a quick ride in the yard after the trip.

Catching up

It's been a pretty hectic month at the Gibbins house since our cruise. I know, I know, I'm going to have to find a new excuse soon! Troy's dad left Oct 9, but we got to keep his mom another 10 days. It was really good to have the extra hands, and the boys loved having her here! It was especially nice since Troy went to Nebraska for 5 days. I don't know how single moms do this! After Troy's trip to Nebraska, I zipped off for a weekend camping trip with my Neon girls (another post about that later). This week has been an adjustment for everyone as we get used to our routines again. Hopefully, this month will be much calmer! Here's some pics of the last month.
Reef had a holiday on Columbus Day, so we went to the Children's museum with Oma. It was a lot of fun, but probably better to go on a non-holiday. It was very crowded with field trips from daycare centers.
First, Reef drove the trolley.

Then, we did some shopping in the HEB market. This place was really great, and Reef loved pushing the cart, picking out his groceries, and checking out.

Then we milked Alamoo. Reef told Troy, "I milked water into the bucket!" but was a little confused about milk coming from cows since he saw only water come out.

Jonas really liked brushing these big teeth. No cavities for this boy!

My mom and Grandma came for the church's baby blessing and stayed at a hotel with an indoor pool. The boys loved swimming in the warm water and did not want to leave!

Reef went under with Daddy and didn't even cry.

I couldn't resist some swimming lessons with Jonas. Once a swim teacher, always a swim teacher!

Before the cold weather comes, we had one last run in the sprinkler. Jonas really enjoyed it and wants to turn it on every time we go outside now.

Reef got in on the action too but didn't love it nearly as much as Jonas does.

While I was camping, this is what dinnertime looked like...




And finally, yesterday was costume day at playgroup. This is our third annual Halloween photo shoot. It seems like just yesterday we lined up all the babies on the floor and they just laid there for pictures since they couldn't move yet. Things have sure changed!

This is the best shot from inside. Jonas is missing because he would not stay on the couch. On the couch, Jayden (witch), Leyna (raggedy ann), Ayden (Dorothy), Colby (tin man), Ethan (scarecrow), Isaiah (cowardly lion), and Reef (yellow wiggle). Reef was not very thrilled to have Isaiah next to him. On the floor, Kamryn (fairy), Rylan (horse), Zach (Elmo)

We moved the photo shoot outside, hoping for better luck. Rylan, Jonas, and Colby were still not enjoying the pictures, but we did get a good shot of the the 2 year olds.

Then a plane flew by and really caught their attention!

Whew! Thanks for sticking with me. I'll try to be more regular from now on.

Sippy cup advice

We're really having trouble transitioning Jonas to the cup from the bottle. I didn't have this problem with Reef; he went straight to the cup. We've tried several kinds of cups with little success, although he will take water from any cup. Any ideas greatly appreciated!

13 hours!

Jonas slept 13 hours last night without a peep! Just had to share this accomplishment! I couldn't believe it when I woke up at 7:20 and realized he hadn't woken yet. I was even a little worried that something may be wrong, but he woke up on his own 30 minutes later. Thank you God for good sleep (and please let it continue)!