What a Busy Month

Wow October brought so much excitement to our family. Karter was so young last year we didn't do much and I still felt like we did a lot. But this year Oh MY! It first started with the Orr Family Farm pumpkin patch. I still don't have pictures from that so it'll have to be a later post. Then it was Memorial Road's Trunk or Treat celebration. I had no idea this actually meant decorating the trunk or you car (I thought that was pretty cool). We dressed Karter as "Eldo" aka Elmo. Not my first choice on a costume but Karter loved it. We went from car to car collecting one piece of candy. Karter thought this was great. However we are going to have to coach him next year on the "correct" pieces of candy to grab.
Karter checking out the goods Waiting in line

Daddy teaching him the snickers are the way to go

I couldn't resist. I love that little fury toosh

Helping himself
Our next event was the Story Book Forest. We had lots of friends go last year and every one of them told us it had to be on our list of things to do with Karter this year. I must say Arcadia Lake recreated the nursery rhymes very well. They had the Three little pigs, Pinocchio, Rapunzel and many other stories. We went around to each of the stories and grabbed a piece of candy. Karter wouldn't stay still long enough for me to read the excepts from the stories. He could have cared less. He was there for the sugar. After the trail had ended we took him on a short little hayride where Karter let us and the other riders know he was DONE. It was time for bed.

About to go through the forest

Us at Story Book Forest

Karter hated Pinocchio

But he loved the three little pigs. We could've stayed there all night.
The next thing we did was dress up for Body&Soul. Rachel made goodie bags and "dirt" for the kids for Halloween. Karter loved everything in his goodie bag especially the stickers(we are really into stickers these days) He also loved the dirt. According to Luke, Karter had dirt EVERYWHERE. I later found out that Luke was helping Karter by feeding it to him. He's a big helper that Luke.

Karter and I at B&S

We carved our pumpkin.

Karter only helped long enough to cut the top off and get two scoops of seeds and he was finished. He'd rather play with daddy

He's not one for getting his hands dirty.
The last thing we did was take Karter trick or treating. Our neighborhood is too small and the houses are too far apart for trick or treating so the Soper's asked if we'd like to join them since they are in the same boat we are. So us and the Soper's went to supper at Panera (where Leta kept trying to take Brandon's bowl and would give him the best scowl I've ever seen because he wouldn't let her have it) and then to a near by neighborhood for a night of goodie gathering. Karter would let Luke go up to the door and get his piece of candy and then he'd walk off. He thought that was plenty of fun. But don't worry we'd collect for him.

Luke the cutest Toddler Monkey (because Karter was the cutest baby Monkey last year) and Leta by far the cutest banana I'd ever seen. And Eldo. Oh Rachel and Brandon are cute too.

Karter getting his candy

We ended October with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. I don't think there is a better way to end such a busy month.

About Dad and Mom

Believe it or not, Brandon and I actually do things for ourselves once in a while. Brandon started rowing for OG&E corporate rowing team in the spring of 2010. They have two regatta's a year. The first regatta was in June where they placed 2nd and the last one they just had was Oct. 8 where they placed 3rd. They were mere seconds behind boats one and two. They rowed a 1.51 this time. They do their practices on Friday nights, which I am not a fan of due to him being away during the evening. But other than that Brandon and I love it. OKC is building a bunch of new things on the river so it's actually become a really neat place to go and enjoy. I'm so proud of Brandon and his new hobby.
He is also going to be starting on a basketball league this winter while rowing in on a break.

As for me I have been working out with Body and Soul for over a year. I am so passionate about this group of women I get to go worship with and workout with. Everyone is so encouraging and uplifting. I don't know what I would do without it. I workout M/W/F from 9:15-10:15. My instructor approached me early this summer about auditioning to be and instructor. I told her I'd have to do a lot of praying about it. I am not naturally a leader or so I think anyways. Well she approached me again about a starting a class at the church I attend. So after talking to a few people and praying extra hard about it I finally decided it was the right thing for me and our family to do. So after submitting an application, having an hour long phone interview and a "video interview" I was excepted. I am now a Body and Soul instructor. My class will start on January 18th on T/F from +:45-10:45. I was just CPR certified and now I have to start studying for my ACE exam that I'll take in a year. (Never too early to start studying right?)

I am SO excited about the group of women I'll be working with. I can't wait to see where God takes this class and how many doors will be opened up for so many people. I can't wait to see Him work through this ministry. That's what's been happening with us along with work, managing a house and keeping up with a very very busy toddler.

Here is a link to the Body and Soul blog

http://www.okiepower.com/

Big Score

This year for consignment sale we did things a little differently. You see the last 2 consignment sales I have brought all the goodies home to show Brandon. I get so excited to show off all the great deals I had found, however; B doesn't share the same excitement. He doesn't like what I bought. Usually saying something like "it looks too worn" or "it looks like it's been washed a thousand times" So after hearing this one too many times I decided he was going with me. B really does like to shop so he wasn't uncomfortable going at all. Once we got there I noticed lots of men there shopping with their wives. So he wasn't alone.
We found so many great things. The one thing I noticed was Brandon's budget was way bigger than mine usually was. So of course we got some great stuff. I really like going with him so we may make this a twice a year tradition.
Here's the loot.
6 pairs of jeans
2 jackets
1 pair of pajamas
5 shirts
5 outfits
2 pairs of pants
1 sweatshirt
1 pair of boots
all for $161 This isn't his entire winter wardrobe. We still have a few more things to get to get him through "the not so cold" cold months.

God Gave Me You

I've been a walking heartache.
I've made a mess of me
The person that I've been lately
Ain't who I wanna be.
But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need You
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you.
There's more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You'll always be love's great martyr
I'll be the flattered fool
and I need you
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you
On my own I'm only
Half of what I could be
I can't do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I could baby, never undo
God gave me you, God gave me you, God gave me you.
I love you Brandon Hayes. You are my best friend and the best Daddy to Karter. Thank you for the last 5 years of marriage. Here's to 55 more.

recreation of our wedding cake. (top tier only)

My beautiful flowers

I Love You Through and Through

This has become one of our favorite books. We read it every night and many times throughout the day.
I love you through and through. I love your top side.

I love your bottom side.

I love your inside

and outside

I love your happy side,

your sad side,

your silly side,

your mad side.

I love your fingers

and toes,

your ears and nose

I love your hair and eyes,

your giggles

and cries.

I love you running

and walking,

silent

and talking.

I love you through and through......

yesterday today and tomorrow, too.

Learning everyday

I just wanted to jot down some of the things Karter is doing these days. He is now 14 months old and saying and doing so much.
Some things Karter loves are:
Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, hot dogs, grapes, strawberries, watermelon, M&M's (thanks Brandon), milk, water, water bottles, shoes (anyone's shoes), hats, Elmo (he doesn't watch tv he only knows Elmo from his books and the song I sing when we spot Elmo), going bye-bye, dogs from afar, horses and cows, riding on the 4-wheeler with daddy every night, snacks, eating with a fork by himself, his "I can push or pull" (his baby 4-wheeler; he knows it by the song it sings), any ball, pulling things out of the bathroom cabinets, throwing things in the trash that aren't supposed to go in the trash, going outside, vacuuming, sweeping, putting wet clothes in the dryer.

Some things Karter does not like:
getting his diaper changed, getting swats for not obeying Mommy, walking in the grass(but this has changed in the last few days), touching sand, swimming, meeting new people, taking food from anyone other than Mommy sometimes Daddy, Mommy leaving a room, Mommy cooking or even being in the kitchen at all, Daddy going outside without him, loud noises, veggies,

Karter does or says:
dog, Mama, Daddy, Ball (for anything that is circle. We are working on that), boat, book, wall, door, Where'd it go, water bottle, plays basketball outside with daddy can drop ball in hoop, I got him to say "No More Football" 2 times

He can sign: all done, please and more

He follows simple commands such as:
go get your shoes, take one more bite/drink, let's go change your stinky(go to your changing table), time for night night (get in mommy's lap for snack,book and milk), lets go bye-bye(go to laundry room and wait by the door), get the ball, Karter's first Popsicle

He loved it

Playing in the sprinkler. On the sidewalk because he will not step in the grass

Waiting for daddy to get his I can push or pull (4 wheeler)

His newest pose. We call it his down hill skiing pose

Going to Houston

The last week of July we took Karter down to Houston to see Aunt Bridgey. We packed up our little rent car and took off. I was worried about how Karter would do on this trip. This was his first LONG trip after all. He did really well. I took everything you could imagine. Books, cars, dvd's, cd's and lots of food. Karter took 2 really short naps on the way down there. About 45 minutes both times. It's better than nothing I suppose. His last nap was right as we were getting into Houston so it was cut short due to us arriving at Bridgey's house. Bridget was such a gracious host. She made us dinner ( and an oh so yummy birthday cake ) that night so we wouldn't have to get back in the car after our long trip. After supper we went to a near by outlet mall. We did a little shopping then went home to get some sleep. The next morning after a delicious breakfast we went to the Houston Zoo. Oh my goodness it was SO hot. I hate Houston's weather. No Fun At All! But the zoo was lots of fun and Karter had a great time seeing all kinds of animals. He's really into animals these days. After the zoo we went to an amazing restaurant called Pappadeaux's. Oh.My.Word. The best seafood. After supper we went home, had showers, put K down to sleep and watched a movie. The next day, our last full day there, we went to the Kemah boardwalk where we rode a carousal and Ferris wheel. I had been wanting to take Karter on a carousel for a while. He like it a lot. And when it was over he was trying to rock the zebra to make it go again. Too Cute. He didn't know what to think about the Ferris wheel. He held onto the sides until it was stopped. After the boardwalk we went to Galveston to see the ocean and put Karters feet in the sand. As I suspected he hated the sand. He won't even walk in the grass. Every time we'd put his feet down he'd cry to be picked back up or put on the blanket. He got used to the water and didn't mind it when we would go deeper. That afternoon we went to see Kyla's family who lives in Galveston. We visited with them for about an hour before we headed back home. We had a lot of fun in Houston and plan to make it an annual family trip. We miss Aunt Bridgey and wished she lived closer so we could see her more often. Karters first sucker. He knew just what to do.

That was all of the show?

This cracked us up. He thought daddy was going to put him down with the goats so he wrapped his arm around Brandon's neck.

I'll push Aunt Bridgey

He couldn't get enough water. It was HOT!

Kemah Boardwalk

My first Carousal ride

Daddy what are we doing?

Aunt Bridgey why are we stopped?

Kemah Boardwalk

Love Karter's smile. Aunt Bridgey is fun

oooooooo......

We made it to the beach. Finally

I don't know about this guys.

Aunt Bridgey help me.

I don't like all this sand.

My new toy Bridgey bought me.

Way too cute.