Halloween 2011

Thursday, Oct 27th, time to finally carve the pumpkins or it's just not going to happen. With very little help from 2 small boys, Mommy braved a large knife with little fingers close by! One scary and one funny pumpkin. Kellan sitting by to make his own faces for the camera. Henry readily available to handle the slimy goo that comes out of the pumpkin! Thanks for your help boys!

Let's see how they look on the front porch. Love the picture with Henry and Harmony behind the door sadly looking out. Kellan happy to don his mask for the photo shoot.

Henry, our little "cheeser". Happy to say cheese anytime the camera comes out. Now if we could only get Kellan to play along so nicely! Oh well, it will have to be Iron Man and Henry this go round.

Mon, Oct 31: Open Arms's annual Halloween Parade. They had it at 930am this year, so we stayed indoors due to the cold temps. Monday isn't Kellan's regular school day so I took him and Henry, both dressed as Spideys.

We sang a couple songs, danced around and that was that. Short and sweet.

Now for the real trick or treat time! Kellan decided to utilize his other costume and go as Iron Man. Henry was happy to stick with Spidey. My 2 superheroes!!

G'ma and G'pa Lanz joined us. G'pa pulled the boys to the parade in the wagon. We all bundled up for a chilly night. We found a good spot to watch the parade.

G'pa, G'ma and Iron Man. Mommy and her Spidey

Spidey is feeling strong and trying to pull G'ma in the wagon. Kellan eagerly waving to all the parade participants. He's learned, the nice boys get more candy!

Henry eating thru the paper on his candy and Kellan with a very full candy bucket. For Kellan, it's all about the amount collected, then the sorting of the candy. I think he really only ate 2 pieces that night. For Henry, it's all about how many and how fast he can shove it in his mouth! To each his own, right?!

Wild and Wonderful

Sunday morning we packed up, visited the horses one more time and got one last photo of the Tyner's and boys. Thank you for a great, fun-filled weekend!

We stopped at the Virginia Safari Park on our way home. Wow! We weren't sure what to expect by looking at the website, but it far exceeded our expectations as soon as we pulled in! We bought a large bucket of food to feed the animals, so had our windows down in anticipation. Whoa! The animals came a runnin as soon as they saw us (its a drive thru park). We soon realized that the llamas will do anything to get at the food. They had their heads stuck all the way into our car. It was so funny! Then Henry let out a loud scream and we decided it'd be best to leave the windows closed!

The aggressive llamas! They ran alongside the car eyeing our food that was inside the car. We couldn't stop laughing!

Henry gnawing on his hand in nervousness, and Kellan just plain covering his face at times.

The llamas would just stand in front of the car so we would stop, then they'd run around to the window hoping for a nibble. They definitely had tactic!

The sign for the camels said, "We like to steel and eat buckets of food, feed us anyway!" That's exactly what they did with our bucket.

A very majestic looking animal. Kellan and Henry liked the wild zebras.

Oh my!! The buffaloes were as big as our suv and they didn't move. After a bit of nudging with the car, they eventually moved away, but not after staring us down with their enormous eyes!

Love the very large 2 hump camel

After driving thru the park, we stopped at the petting zoo to give the little goats and pigs the rest of our food.

Smile my little safari guys!

Time to feed the birds. They too were not shy and landed right on our shoulders, arms, wherever they could find a perch. Henry was brave enough to go into the bird house.

Happy 11th Anniversary to Us!

It's been 11 years of many ups and a few downs that have only made us stronger! I've been so blessed to have this man in my life. Tim is an amazing Daddy to our 2 boys, but mostly a kind, gentle, loving, generous and caring husband! He makes my life complete and I love him dearly! Happy Anniversary!

Barb kindly invited us to their home a few months ago for this very weekend so that we could enjoy a date night out while they watched the boys. We celebrated an evening later to a great dinner out at the Red Hen in Lexington,VA, followed by dessert and some wine at the quaint Brix. It's nice to be able to actually taste your food without inhaling it and to hear your partner talk without 2 boys shouting in your ear! :) Great night out!

Life at Wicklow

We took a weekend trip to Buena Vista, VA where good friends, Barb and Rich Tyner live. Barb recently retired from nursing from the hospital Danisa works at and is now really enjoying life on their beautiful property outside the Blue Ridge Mts riding her 2 horses, Gus and Dante. She invited us down a few months ago as an anniversary getaway. The fall leaves were no longer in peak bloom ,but there was still lots of color.


Kellan helping Miss Barb take the bridles back to the barn after letting the horses out of their stalls. Kellan and Henry were both pretty shy in getting too close to them. They love them from a distance!

Kellan getting a lesson on mucking a stall!

Kellan having a conversation with Gus, and Gus is eagerly listening to what he has to say. Even making a few grunting noises in response. Very cute!

Henry hugging Daddy close. Not so sure about those big, big animals. Now Dante has joined into the 3 way conversation with Kellan and Gus.

A few beautiful pictures of what Barb and Rich get to look at everyday!
Kellan and Murphy(their terrier) enjoying the wide open space!

We took a drive to Natural Bridge and the area. A large gift shop their that Kellan loved browsing in. Big black bear for sale, we'll just take a picture!

Miss Barb, need some help? 2 little boys for rent! We enjoyed some yummy home cooking!

After a day of cold rain and sleet, the sun came out in time to take a hike down to the river.

The boys climbed up for a picture.

It's always fun to throw rocks and sticks in. It was really chilly!