Lydia's Thanksgiving Play!

Our little Pilgram girl!

Pawaw (Michael Matlock), Eli, and Daddy getting ready to watch Lydia!

Lydia and her classmates

Family photo op... minus Eli whom you will see in the next picture found something better to do and refused (screaming fit) to participate.

Eli finally getting a chance to play with Lydia's "school stuff"

Eli ... too impatient to get his picture taken, already reaching for the camera to see and approve his picture.

Lydia at Chucky Cheese... she may look terrified but she actually is watching the screen and racing a true horseman.

Lydia getting a present (BARBIE) from Papaw

Eli opening his Birthday present from Papaw... what better than to get Batman's Bat cave!

THE LINK TO THE VIDEO: Part 1: http://youtu.be/eQUU0hoHalQ

Part 2: http://youtu.be/Ln-D-t_aSs0

Lydia and been working so hard to get her lines down for her big debut. She is such a smart girl that she had them down after just a few days of practicing. After that we had to work on remembering that our lines are said at different points. In the first video you will see that we could have probably did a little more work on it, but I of course loved it. Michael Matlock (Michael's ex-step-father) was able to come down and watch the play too. Afterwords we went out to celebrate my and Eli's birthday... and of course we picked Chucky Cheese (actually I picked it since the kids had no idea what it was). Everyone had a great time and now we are ready for some TURKEY!

Halloween

Let me first say, I don't know why I didn't take more pictures. I carried the camera around my neck the whole night... and that is pretty much where it stayed.

This year we went to a friends house and the kids trick or treated with their friends. Of course before heading out we had to have chili, hot dogs, apple and pumpkin pie. (everyone needed their energy). The kids had a blast. Eli was cracking me up because once it got dark he would say "It's bedtime! Daddy you need to go to bed!". Then there was Lydia who would shout every time she left a new house that "she got more (candy)". Eventually it got to the point we were carrying the kids and we knew it was time to head home.

Eli (Spidey), Davey (his best friend he's hugging), Lydia (kitty in the back ground), and Kaitlin (the witch).

Here is Lydia and her best friend Kaitlin!

Trunk or Treat!

Lydia's preschool/church this year had a Trunk or Treat, and it seems I forget how much I dislike going to these from year to year, because again, this year I dragged the kids and Michael to it. It was pretty good this year, there were pony rides (seen below), jumpy inflatables, a balloon guy (VERY long line in a VERY hot church), face painting (no takers this year), and games to play. While the kids seemed to have fun, everyone (kids included) were a bit disappointed in their sad haul (of candy). However, the Balloon guy was big hit by the kids (not me or Michael), and the pony rides and inflatables were fun until big kids got involved.

Eli (spider man!) and Lydia (kitty... or cat woman??)

Eli riding his Pony!

Pumpkin Patch!

Eli and Lydia at the Oakes Farm!

Riding the tractor... or pretending.

Eli knows what to do with it!

This was the best... and its not that great of a family photo

Eli and Lydia!

Eli

Lydia

Me and Lydia

Eli and Lydia with their pumpkins!

The Boles Clan

Uncle D, Michael, and an excited Eli

So many to choose from!

Pretty Lyd!

Two of my three brother's graced us with their presence this fall and we were dying to get together with them. Unfortunately we had to be squeezed in between football and more football (maybe a little recovery time from the football celebration). We were limited on what we could all do with two kids in tow, so I gave a list of suggestions and we picked lunch and the pumpkin patch! Always a hit with my kids, and something we do every year. So the Cruze crew, Courtney (Aunt Tatey), Uncle Brian, and Uncle D (avid) all headed to the patch. A great time was had by the Cruze crew... and the verdict is still out on the Boles Clan.

Happy Birthday Eli!

My little boy turned three! I cannot believe we have had 3 wonderful years with this little boy. He is such a joy to be around. He is the most expressive kid and can melt anyone from 10 paces away with his eyes. He is so bright and I know my life would not be the same without him, so I wish him all the best in life and want him to know Mommy and Daddy are always here for him with love.

To celebrate Eli's birthday we had a party at our house with just a few friends and family. Eli once again wanted COOKIES for his party and not cake. We loved having everyone there to celebrate his birth.

Eli learning the importance of reading cards... who am I kidding, he just loved the pictures, but he did at least take the time to look at it before diving into the gift.

Eli!

Lydia with her great friend Kaitlin (not sure of spelling)

It seems our blog is always missing us... so here we are! ;)