Happy Halloween!

Carving pumpkins was interesting this year. Of the 6 pumpkins that we had 3 were rotten and one was soooo hard that we could not get a knife into it.
So with the two remaining pumpkins the carving began. Peter was feeling brave this year and stuck his hand inside...but look closely, he is wearing his gloves. There was no way that he would do that unprotected!
We started by drawing the faces. I think Jamison's pumpkin is a spitting image...of who? I am not sure but it has to be someone right?
And the final product! Since the one pumpkin was uncarvable...we went to extreme measure to get the seeds inside. Ok, we had to promise the boys something crazy because they were pretty upset that we could not get the darn thing carved. Jamison had first crack at the pumpkin, then Peter. Still a no -go. So we took it to the next level....the barn! That did it! (BTW, we are not toasting those seeds)
This year Jamison decided to be the Flash, because "he is red from head to toe". Ok, not the toes, they are yellow but you get the picture. Peter decided to be Optimus Prime again. We started trick-or-treating and he became sad, because he did not have a new costume. A parent can never win. Oddly Peter was more shy this year T&Ting than he was last year. I had to go up to each porch while he quietly mumbled "trick or treat". I dont get that boy. And Jamison....i dont know about him either. We had a talk before we went out that if someone gives you candy that you dont like that you say thankyou and that will be the candy that you can trade with your brother. And wouldnt you know it....one house the lady handed out fruity snacks and he said "i dont like what is in that blue package, but my brother does". So the lady comes back with some skittles and Jamison said "I dont like those either" and on the third time she came out with M&Ms, those were acceptable for the king. We had to have another talk.

Happy Halloween!

H1N1 is in the houuuuusse!

That is what the doctor said, although I am not convinced. How do they really know?at least they can test for things like strep, which they did and Peter does not have. So in the mean time, poor Peter has been diagnosed with the piggy flu and we are excessively washing hands in hopes to keep everyone healthy. Rats

last trip to the farm

Jamison was fascinated with the gourds that he picked on his class trip to a farm. So we went out to my favorite farm for one last time before the end of the year to get some more gourds, potatoes and some beets. The beets were huge!



Remind me why we moved here??? it was not for the amount of leaves that need to be raked this time of year. At least this year the boys can actually really help! and they did a great job!
They even earned a couple dollars, and a couple lumps on the head...Jamison would not pay attention to where he was raking.



I had to get the smiley boy pictured in the leaves....arent they cute!
We are watching a friends dog, Bosco. Peter asked me if we could keep him and give them Wini....sadly I said no. He is cuddly, doesn't steal your food BUT I think gets to sleep in the bed. Jamison kindly requested that he gets out if his bed, and my kindly, I mean screamed until I came up and got him out. Sorry Bosco, but I would have to agree with Jamison.

Jamison Day

As a twin you always have to share. So we designed "Jamison Day" on Oct 19, his 1/4 birthday, as all his. Peter celebrates his day on April 19, his 3/4 birthday. Jamison picked out ham, noodles and peas for dinner with chocolate ice cream as dessert and I surprised him with a small present (which made Peter really sad but realizes he will get one on his day. "But that is sooooooo long away from now" says Peter)
The superhero coloring book had a hidden agenda. Jamison asked to be Flash for Halloween, because he is red from head to toe, ok not to his toes because he has yellow boots but you get the picture. When he tried it on...he freaked and not in a good way. Now he claims that he does not know what he wants to be. So...I am hoping starts liking and embracing the costume...because I am not going to buy something else.!

Jamison has made great progress in the art department, he is now coloring pictures with more than his red crayon. He even knew to look at the real picture of Flash to learn where the colors go! He then wanted to take a picture of what he did. We also colored Aquaman on the back of an orca! Peter still was feeling jilted...so Pat and he spent some time building some creations....and took pictures of them also! Happy Jamison Day!

The last hoorah! for the ole' knee

Well, it is Gpa Van's turn for a new joint. Tomorrow he gets a new knee and the boys and I decided to go up to GB for the weekend to give the old knee a final workout. Gpa took us to our favorite pumpkin patch for a hayride, run in the corn maze and we got to pick out our own pumpkin. They were all pretty big this year. We had the most fun jumping on the hay...who needs a rainbow system when you have hay! Seriously, I think I will need to invest in some...it took a long time to get the boys out of the hay. And then the hay could double as the barriers in front of the tree at the end of the neighbor's sledding run....but that will be later in the year, I can not start to think of winter. The corn maze was also a huge hit...Peter loved sneaking up behind you.....remember that Billy Mahoney reference from Flatliners....gave me the chills again!It was stinking windy and cold...what happend the to the beautiful fall weather??? Gpa had to stand behind the sign to stay out of the wind. Say Happy Halloween! The next day we went out to a wildlife area for a hike.... This was the sugar shack along the trail but it was not open. We should come out here in Feb! The windy was less bone chilling and we were able to see a lot of critters....Gma spoted a couple garter snakes...that was exciting. The colors were beautiful....hope the wind calms a bit so we can enjoy the colors a little longer! Good Luck with the surgery Gpa!!

Purple Viking Potato and random pics

So, in preparation for tonight's big game we are eating purple viking potatoes(got them at my favorite farm, we didnt name them, that is really what their name was)....just like how the Packers are going to devour the Favre lead Vikings. GOPACKGO! On another note, Peter was taking a long time in the bathroom and this is what I found..... Yes, that is a computer game in his hand. Pat was very proud! And finally, homework time! It is a lot of fun to watch the boys do their homework. They think its fun! noone tell them otherwise! GO PACKERS!

Germans! and apple picking

We were sooooo exited! Heike and crew came for a visit! Heike, Alex and Steffi rolled into town just in time to greet the boys off the bus. Oddly they were quite shy at first but then became very excited to show them everything! So we took them on a quick troll hunt and captured a few before it became too dark. The favorite activity to do after school is art...the table is usually covered with fabulous creations! and Heike herself made some wonderful creations! With such special guests in town, we just had to play hookie from school(and have chocolate for breakfast!) . So we took everyone to Blue Mounds State Park for a nature hike. We were hoping to have a little more fall colors but we were lucky that the sun was out and the wind had calmed down. The boys showed Heike et al their climbing ability....and I showed them my nervousness when the boy were really "rock climbing" I think some time at a rock wall with ropes will be in order when they are older...the boys are really good at it! In spirit of all the rock climbing...Steffi decided to climb a tree! and the boys wanted to follow! So how do you get monkeys out of a tree?? Here we are on top of the tower at Blue Mounds....say cheese! With the sun out you would see miles around! Thanks Heike, Alex and Steffi for coming for a visit! We love having you and you are welcome any time! Safe journey on the rest of your holiday! Earlier in the week we had a movie night. The boys settled in....quite comfortable... for them, not me! Its that time of year for apples! and boy did we pick a bunch!. Got to love apple pies and apple sauce and apple cake and apple porkchops and and and.. Pat realized that it is becoming more difficult to lift the boys up to get the ones on top! this will likely be the last year....we will have to settle on the apples lower on the branches.
Holy cannoli! It is October already!