my little pumpkins

Today I spent the entire day on a special date with my two little men. Cutest dates I have ever had. We missed Daddy since he was working, but I loved every minute with these two. They've been clingy and whiny since I got back from my trip and I don't blame them one bit. I think it was good to just spend every single second of today with them. I spoiled them rotten and had so much fun doing it.

Kaden has been wanting to go to the pumpkin patch for weeks. I decided to surprise him today and he lit up when he found out where we were. I think seeing excitement on that little kid's face is one of the very best parts of my life. It makes any hassle to go places and do things totally worth it. I was worried about the weather because it's been rainy and cold the last few days, but today was great--crisp and fall-like.

Side-by-side last year and this year. The little man is sprouting like a weed.

The boys got to play in the corn pit, go down the slides, Kaden got his face painted, and we picked out yummy treats from the market. They had a fun little train ride and Kaden was beyond excited about that. Beckham loved it too and cried when we got out. I hardly fit in the little barrels and it about broke my back as we hit every bump. I couldn't help but laugh--it was worth it.

After the pumpkin patch we went to lunch at Kaden's favorite place and then shopping for stuff for our Halloween costumes. Kaden is SO excited about this. I hope I can pull it off.

I took these in Durango today. Wow. Fall is so beautiful.

just because he is so dang cute

He's 14 months old!

The little munchkin got his first real haircut the other day. I had trimmed it before, but this time I cut a good two inches off. He looks so handsome. It took me a few days to get used to it. The morning after I cut it when I got him out of his bed I was a little sad. He had the best bedhead I have ever seen. His hair was totally out of control in the mornings and we are always running late so morning baths just don't work out around here. I love the shorter hair, but am still missing the stuff I cut off. Man, he is just too adorable.

I love that little profile and the shadow on the wall. This little guy is so fun. He has quite the personality. I can't believe how feisty he can be. He has discovered his voice and the many noises he can create with his mouth. He says words, blows bubbles constantly, clicks his tongue and lips, and comes up with new sounds daily. He is constantly talking and making noise, or yelling and fussing over something. I love him to pieces.

I am so excited. He is traveling around the room and making his own messes. He is getting into stuff, dumping toy bins, and is all over the place. I love it. I can't believe how far he's come in the last month. Yesterday he was on his knees digging through a toy box. It was such a big deal and I was so impressed. Sometimes he gets frustrated and I think it's because he wants to move around and his mind is just so far ahead of his body. He is getting much stronger and braver by the day. He is trying to scoot and even army crawling a little here and there. I am proud of him and I think he is so happy discovering the things he can do.

He is a love bug! He kisses and hugs on everything. He says "hi" in the sweetest high pitched voice whenever he sees Toby. He gives me slobbery kisses and attacks me with his hugs all day long. Being a mom is more joyful than I could have imagined. Even though I go to bed sometimes feeling like I have totally failed for the day, my kids give unconditional love and somehow make me feel like a million bucks.

the best part

Today I returned from a four day girl's trip. It was so much fun, so relaxing and rejuvenating. I can't believe how much I missed my boys. The best part about coming home was being completely smothered by them all evening. They were climbing all over me, slobbering on me, pulling my hair, poking my eyes, asking to be tossed into the air, and giggling nonstop. Matt was cracking up and I love that he started snapping pictures. (I must be wearing off on him.) There was an endless supply of hugs and kisses, stories, and every "why" question imaginable. I felt like I hadn't seen them in a month and I am so happy to be home.

seriously yummy

This little family has accidentally made a Saturday tradition of going to Serious Texas BBQ nearly every week. We pick Matt up from work, head straight over for some deliciousness, then top it off with soft serve cones from Sonic. We're easy to please. Serious Texas has the coolest ambiance and we've loved our summer evenings there out on the back porch overlooking the river. There are hanging lights, tons of trees, and it's just beautiful. They have live music too and it's always great. The food is dripping in grease and so, so good. The kids love it too. We didn't go last week and Kaden asked about it for days. We didn't mean to start this up but it's been such a fun thing to do together as a family. The other day I had the camera along and decided to document this little outing. I think this might be one of those things the kids look back on and remember. I know I will. I had to take a lot of pictures of Beckham because he was being such a ham and I just can't get over how cute he looks when he chews.

pot-bellied gumby

I am such a sucker for a chubby baby in tight pajamas. I could just eat him up. And his expressions? His little face is moving all over the place. He has the most expressive eyes and mouth and is constantly figuring out ways to make new faces and sounds. He is a jabber-box and I love it. Every day I tell him he can't get any cuter and I swear every day he does just that. He gets cuter and even more lovable every second as his little personality develops.

This little guys cracks himself up. He makes the funniest sounds and his latest antic is the most adorable fake laugh. He just laughs and laughs because he knows it will get our attention and man it's the funniest thing. I think he just loves to hear himself because he is making noise every second he isn't sleeping. He is talking up a storm. He says several new words every day and tries to repeat the things I say. His favorite word right now is wow. "wOOOOWwww." I actually caught it on camera the other day but can't find the stinkin' usb so I can put it on the computer. His voice is so funny and his face is awesome. It reminds me of the green aliens on Toy Story. Kills me.

Beckham is Gumby. That little kid is so flexible I can't believe it. He just folds himself right in half. When he is mad that I put him down he will just fold and bury his face in the floor and cry. He just gives up. The other day he was bending in half like this, sucking on his toe.

He always crosses his feet when he's sitting. He also always has his toes curled up. I am still such a sucker for baby feet. Every millimeter of this boy is so adorable and perfect I can hardly stand it.

gotta get 'em early

while they still think it's fun.


Kaden scrub-a-dubbed the whole kitchen the other day and it was all his idea. He had soapy water all over the stove, fridge, glass door, counters, and floors. He was so proud of himself. He pushed the chair all over the place and kept turning around and saying, "I am such a big helper Mom. I am cleaning up so perfect!" Of course it was perfect.

Made me smile.