Pumpkin Patch, take 1

Erin and I decided to take Lachlan and Liam to a pumpkin patch last week while Reef and Jonas were in school. I thought it would be a good time to get some pics of Lachlan without having to chase the other 2 too. He had a great time!

The tongue out is a pretty common look these days

Best friends!

This is the one I want, Mom.

Liam wasn't a fan of the corn pit but Lachlan would happily have one of these at home!

Don't worry, I'm taking all of them tomorrow, so Reef and Jonas will get to join in the fun too!

Family Retreat 2010

Last weekend was Northside's annual family retreat. We had such a great time last year that there was no question that we would be there this year. Several other families with young kids ventured out this year, too, so we knew it would be great! We headed out Friday afternoon and got to HEB camp just before dinner. The boys were so excited to be there and to play outside. After checking out the cabins and setting up beds, we had a picnic dinner and the boys enjoyed playing with their friends in the sand volleyball pits.
The first night was pretty rough as far as the sleeping goes. Lachlan and Caden took turns crying throughout the night, and Lachlan ended up in bed with me. But it was worth it for the couple of hours we got to spend playing games with our friends! Bruce did a great job putting our cabin next to the Zimmer/Torres cabin, so we set up a game station in between!

The next morning started bright and early (actually, it wasn't even bright when Lachlan got up!) After some breakfast, the boys were ready to play!

Lachlan loved this car that Isaiah shared with him.

Ethan and Reef loved riding bikes together.

Jonas preferred to hang out by the river.

The big boys enjoyed their annual canoe trip with Troy.

While Lachlan was annoyed that he didn't get to go!

Liam came over to cheer him up, though...

and he found a boat of his own.

After lunch and a nap, it was back on the bikes.

And down by the river

We went on a nature hike with the kids. Aren't these 2 cute!

Jonas and Ethan needed to join the hand-holding.

On the balance beam.

In hopes of a better night, we let the boys stay up for the whole talent show, and Reef and Jonas got to stay up for the bonfire too. We weren't sure if this was a good decision but seeing their wonder at the fire and the stars and the singing, confirmed our decision. All 3 went straight to sleep back in the cabin while we stayed up for night 2 of games!

Saturday night was much better in the sleep department, but Sunday still started early with clean up, breakfast, and church. Then it was on the road again. A great weekend! We can't wait to go back next year!

Our "little guy"...

won't be the littlest for much longer! That's right, Lachlan will be a big brother when baby #4 comes in June! We're all super excited and Reef's response when we told him was, with eyes wide and lit up, "COOL!" He can't wait to share a room with Jonas and is sure that this baby is another boy.

October in Pictures

October is flying by in a whirlwind of busy-ness! These pictures pretty much sum up how we've been spending our free time-outside, enjoying this beautiful weather!

Most afternoons find us on the driveway. Riding bikes, buses, and rockets...drawing with sidewalk chalk...and racing cars. We especially love it when Liam joins us!

Lachlan has mastered the rocket riding.

Jonas decided to join Reef in bike riding. He really loves this balance bike.

Reef gets faster and crazier everyday on his bike. He even tried it without training wheels one day. It didn't last long, but we're impressed with his willingness to try!

When Jonas get tired of his bike, he drives this bus like a crazy man! He likes to collect the chalk in the back.

We spent a Saturday morning at a new park a couple weeks ago, and it was loved by all!

And after all that playing outside, you gotta love a bath full of boys!

Movie Time

This is what happens when Lachlan wants to watch the movie too!

Houston Aquarium

A couple of weeks ago, we visited Conroe so that Troy could lay some flooring for my grandparents. While he was hard at work, my mom and I took all 4 boys to the Houston Aquarium. They all had a great time except for Jacob, who was scared the whole time.
We got there really early, so the big boys splashed around during the wait. Sorry, Taylor, but this is the best shot I could get of Jacob.

This boy was very excited!

This is a petting area at the very end, where you could reach in and touch stingrays and baby sharks. Reef was so brave and loved every minute of it! Jonas warmed up to it after a quick lunch but was very careful to only touch the stingrays. Jacob got brave enough to look but had a major meltdown when one of the sharks tried to jump out to see him!

After all the fish, there were some beautiful white tigers. One of them was even named Reef! Jonas was upset that there was no Jonas, so he just named the other one Jonas.

After the doing the inside stuff, Gigi braved the train with the 3 bigger boys.

We had a great time! Thanks for taking us, Gigi!