Carving Pumpkins

Last week on Friday we finally sat down and worked on carving the girls' pumpkins that they had picked out at the pumpkin patch - nothing like waiting til the last minute I know. Both boys were sleeping so I thought that we would at least start working on them. Once I got the tops cut off, I had the girls work on scooping out the insides. They tried with a spoon, which didn't work that great for them. Then they used their hands for a while until they lost interest. Once I finished scooping everything out, I had them come back and draw on the faces they wanted cut out. Aubrey did a great job drawing a face that I could actually cut out, while Chloe's face consisted of lines. I had her pick out the shapes she wanted instead, which worked better. The pumpkins even had eyebrows! :) Later that evening after it was dark, we put a candle inside them and turned out all the lights. The girls loved it and Coye was mesmerized by the lights coming from the pumpkins.

Chloe and her pumpkin

Aubrey and her pumpkin

Digging out the insides

Using her hands

Drawing faces

The finished product

Complete with eyebrows - Aubrey's teeth were a drawn a little close together so her poor little pumpkin lost some teeth during the carving process

Kitties!

Last winter must have been really hard on cats because we went from having about thirteen to only having one left this spring. The girls were pretty bummed when their favorite cat, Orangie, from last year couldn't be found. So when one of my friends was getting rid of some kittens this fall, I jumped at the chance to get some more cats. (We've got plenty of mice outside that need to be eaten!). As an added bonus, the four kittens that we got were tame. The girls, of course, were scared of them at first, because the kittens would follow them around. They gradually warmed up to them and I finally got them to hold them a few weeks ago. Chloe went first (she usually does - she's a tad braver than Aubrey). I put the kitten in her arms and she just stood there for about 30 seconds before asking if she could walk around while still holding the kitten. When I told her she could, her little face just lit up. I think she's so used to me telling her to sit still while she holds her brother that she just expected to not be able to walk around carrying anything alive. :) Aubrey loved holding the kitten too and walking around with it. Sadly, one of them has now disappeared. The girls will occasionally ask where Layla is, and then say that she's probably just hiding, since she wasn't as tame as the rest. I don't have the heart to tell them that something probably happened to her.

Peachy and Smoky



Coye swinging

Aubrey holding Goldilicious (Goldy for short)

Chloe holding Goldy - doesn't she look so excited?

Day with Dani

Danielle stopped by for a quick visit. We haven't seen her for a while so it was nice to spend some time with her. We made caramel apples and some baby food for Coye - sweet potatoes and carrots, finished laundry, and played. The girls had a fun day and were sad to see her go. 

Playing "church" - Aubrey made papers that told them what "hymns" to sing

Watching the girls on the steps singing songs

Watching mommy make lunches before bed

Making Caramel Apples

As a kid, we used to make caramel apples around this time of year. I haven't made them in forever, but thought that this might be something fun to do with the girls. My sister Danielle stopped by to visit and helped us make the apples. They were delicious!

Unwrapping the caramels

The apples all ready to be dipped in caramel

Getting ready to dip the apple

Putting caramel on the apple

Chloe took a turn too

The finished product

Checking out the caramel covered apple

The first bite

Yummy!

Chloe was excited

Her first bite

Delicious!

Curtis Orchard

On Saturday I took the kids to Curtis Orchard and met my parents there. One of my friends recommended it, and the girls were very excited. It was beautiful outside, and we had a great time. We went on a wagon ride first to see the orchard and learn some history. Then the girls went on the inflatable maze and slide, playground, and pony rides. We then headed out to the pumpkin patch to pick some pumpkins. The girls were hoping to find some big pumpkins and were excited to find some. We came home with pumpkins, squash for Coye, apple cider, apple doughnuts, and apples.



Getting ready to go into the orchard

Waiting for the pony ride

Chloe and Grandma

Aubrey on her pony

Chloe going down the inflatable slide

Aubrey and Chloe

Chloe and her pumpkin

Aubrey and her pumpkin - she can barely hold it!

In the pumpkin patch

Swing of Things

This past week we've been getting things figured out with two babies and their different schedules, plus driving to school twice a day. It's been nice going to school every day in the sense that we do the same thing every day and have gotten back into the routine of it. This week they were back in the field, so I've been on my own for much of the week. On Wednesdays I have handbell rehearsal at church. Everyone was in the field, so I had to take the kids with me. I was a little nervous about how Coye would do, but I didn't have any other options. The girls were awesome, and Coye did pretty well too. He sat in his car seat for a while and stared at the ceiling fans, and then played on the floor for a bit. Towards the end of rehearsal he started getting tired, so one of the ladies held him so we could finish practicing. It all worked out. On Thursday, I decided to take the kids to my niece Abbi's basketball game since it was at St. Paul's. I had Logan (the other little boy I babysit), so he came with us too. Thank goodness my in-laws and Calvin's aunt were there to help out. While the kids were good, it was definitely exhausting keeping track of all of them and keeping everyone happy. I am so happy that it's Friday today. I'm looking forward to hopefully sleeping in a little bit later tomorrow and staying home. Last weekend was so busy, I'm hoping that this weekend will be more relaxing.

Waiting for mommy to get ready for bed

In Aubrey's book order this month was a diary. I usually let them pick one or two books out, but she really wanted this diary, so I gave in and got it for her. She's been anxiously waiting for it to come and was so excited to bring it home today.

Chloe's sad face - she wanted a diary too.

Coye's typical position on his stomach - arms straight out. He has yet to figure out that if he puts his arms straight in front of him, he could roll over.

Being silly before bed

Wagner Family Pictures

Last Sunday we had family pictures taken with the entire Wagner clan, all 48 of us. It was a beautiful day - sunny and warm. The kids did great! We were also able to get some with Calvin's immediate family and some of just our family. I can't wait to see how they turned out. Here's a few that I took while we were there.