Autumn-azing Memories

I love fall. It is definitely my favorite season. There is something about the smell in the air as the days slowly get colder that I can't get enough of. It is amazing to be able to turn off the ac, open the windows, and let that sweet smell in whilst enjoying the sound of the breeze rustling the leaves that will soon be decorating the ground. I also love the nostalgic feeling I get every year as the holidays approach. Wonderful memories come rushing back when I step outside and feel that chill in the air, and I find myself enjoying Autumn even more now that I can make new memories with my sweet boys. Like I said, I LOVE fall!

This fall is still young (not many open window days, yet,) but already I have made some wonderful memories with Owen and Caden. They are both in such wonderful stages right now. Owen is so inquisitive. I am amazed, everyday, at how much he is learning and how quickly he can recall the smallest details. He is becoming such a bright little boy, but he has a silly side, too. Currently, dog poop is just about the funniest thing ever! Caden is so positive and playful! His little giggle can cure my foulest mood, and his sweet kisses melt my heart. I love his love of the outdoors, and I am amazed at his budding athletic abilities. Anyways, they are pretty special! Now, on to the memories.

I mentioned in my last post that we went to the pumpkin patch to pick out some little pumpkins.

Here is Owen with his,

and Caden with his.

Once we had the pumpkins home I handed each boy a carving knife and said, "Go to town!" I'm kidding, of course! We did the predictable little kid pumpkin activity, pumpkin painting. Since the weather is still warm, I stripped the boys down to their diaper/undies, and we did our pumpkin painting in the yard.

Caden ended up with more paint on himself than on his pumpkin, as I expected. This kid is the MESSIEST eater in the world. I knew what kind of mess I was in for when I handed him a brush and some paint. Especially without the restrictions of a highchair!

Here he is giving the paint a taste.

Owen was painting with a brush in each hand.

I still don't know which hand is dominant! He may truly be ambidextrous.

The finished pumpkins.

As I mentioned before, we haven't had much cool weather yet. So, to get the boys cleaned off I turned on the sprinklers and filled up the water table. I got to sit on the backyard swing and just watch them play. I don't think a smile left my face.

Lately I have become addicted to pinterest. I am obsessed! I have found so many great ideas, recipes, crafts, quotes, etc. I have really enjoyed trying out all the great things I have discovered on there. One of my boards is dedicated to preschool ideas, and I have pinned some great fall crafts. The boys have really enjoyed the ones we've tried, and I can't wait to try some more.

This fall tree that Owen made was inspired by many different ideas on pinterest. 

I started by cutting a tree shape out of scrapbook paper and gluing it to a 12x12 piece.

Then I put some red, orange, yellow, and brown paint on a paper plate, handed Owen some q-tips, and let the little artist create.

I love this tree! I am going to frame it. I look forward to it gracing our walls for many falls to come.

We also made spirit jugs like the ones seen here, and footprint ghosts like these. Like I said, I am obsessed with pinterest! I will probably never have an original idea again. Not when there are so many great ideas available for me to just steal, I mean pin.

So, as you can see, our fall is off to a great start! I have more fall-bulous things to share, but I am having picasa issues. You will just have to be looking forward to more pumpkin patch photos, some firetruck fun, and Halloween costumes!!!! 

Thanks for reading,

Back Blogged!

Okay, okay, I know it has been way too long! I have some great excuses, but I'll try not to bore you with them. We've been super busy the last couple of months! Here is a quick update!

In July we took a family trip to the beach! We stayed in Rockport, but spent most of our beach time in Port Aransas. Owen had a blast playing in the sand, and he thought the seagulls were hilarious! Caden didn't get the memo that babies only take a bite of sand once. I guess he just liked the way it tasted. He loved playing in the "baby hole" I dug for him on the beach. He also really started walking all over the place during the trip.

In August, Sean had to go on a business trip for 9 days. This was the longest time we had been apart since we started dating! He also hadn't been gone for more than one night since we had kids. I was a little nervous about how things would go! My sweet friend Allison and her son Cole kept us busy! We went to the Austin children's museum.

Owen and Cole on the cow in front of the museum

We went to Zilker Park.

Owen and Caden on the firetruck.

We stayed at Allison's sweet Aunt Kathy's house. The boys had so much fun! It was their first sleep over with a friend.

All three boys on the swing at Aunt Kathy's

Later in the month, the boys and I headed to Galveston with Allison, Amy and their little ones. Things got a little crazy at times with 6 kids staying in the same house, but we still had fun. 

We went to Rainforest Cafe,

and the beach, of course.

Back in the "baby hole!"

My sweet boys.

On September 7th my sweet Owen started back to "school." He is really enjoying it, and the structure of the day has been really great for my independent little guy.

Posing with his monkey backpack.

Owen got to go to many fun birthday parties in September! Here he is in the real firetruck at his buddy Landon's birthday party!

On his way to rescue a cat

We also went to the Comal County Fair and Rodeo. On September 23 we took the boys to the rodeo for the first time. Owen LOVED seeing the cowboys getting thrown off their horses, and Caden loved to join in when the crowd cheered. Owen also rode a pony for the first time! He named his pony Jack. He didn't look super excited while on the pony, but he is still talking about it! I guess we have a little horse lover on our hands. We went back to the fair on the 25th to pet the baby goats and chicks. Owen got his face painted. We had to talk him out of the butterfly or flower that he wanted, and we finally settled on a very masculine looking sun. He also rode a few fun fair rides. His favorite was The Wiggly Worm, but he called it a train because it ran on tracks. Oh, and Owen rode "Jack" again.  I would show evidence of all the fun we had, but all my pics are still on my phone, doh!

This past Saturday Sean and I took the boys to the Gruene UMC pumpkin patch to pick out a couple of little pumpkins. Caden loved stomping on the pallets, and trying to pick up the pumpkins that were as big as he is. Owen found a little pumpkin he liked pretty quickly. He didn't really want to be in any pictures, but I snagged a couple anyways. The sun was a bit bright (the boys were squinting a lot) so we will probably go to a different pumpkin patch for more pics and a hayride soon.

Woohoo! I am caught up! We O'Connor's are going to have a super amazing fall, and I can't wait to share it with all of you!

Here is one last pic of the three silly guys in my life.