Its The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

What a wonderful weekend!! We kicked the festivities off by meeting up with the Gradwhol's at Lexi's parents house on Wednesday night. It was so much fun to watch Hayden, Pierson & Michael play.

On Friday I did some power shopping with my parents, Jessica & Garrik came along this year to see what all the madness is about. Scott & Pierson have a tradition of going to Lowes & Home Depot with Papa Larry. Once they are shopped out they are off to breakfast!! I hope the tradition last them forever.

On Saturday we took Pierson to see reindeer at a local Plant Nursery. He was so excited...

This year we decided to get Pierson a new tree for his room. He had been using Scott's from when he was a kid. It was in pretty sad shape.

Happy Halloween

We have a tradition at our house. Scott cleans out the pumpkins and I carve them.  I always try to do a design for each of that represents who we are or maybe a special interest for that year.  For Pierson, I choose to do Snoopy.  He loves Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin!! Scott picked out an American flag for himself and I decided on a cat (mainly because the I wanted one with easy lines!!). 

For Halloween this year Pierson was Mr. PotatoHead.  We had the costume early in October.  Once he got a hold of it...game over.  He wore it all month long.  So of course on Halloween Pierson informed us that he wanted to be a Monster...of course he did!!  Why would he want to wear the costume he'd been wearing all month?  Ugh.  Luckily, Scott was able to talk him away from the ledge and he put on the PotatoHead costume. 

After we went to see my parents & Great Grandma B our dear friends the Jess' stopped by so we could see Michael.  These two are characters.  They were trying to shoot baskets in their costumes, not the easiest thing to do!!

I decided to stay home and hand out candy while Scott & Pierson went to a few houses.  As I watched them cross the street my eyes watered up, my baby is getting so big!!  They ended up being gone for a little over 30 minutes, "more treats" he kept saying.  Not bad for his first real go at Halloween
 

Must Love Music

Pierson has an incredible love for playing music, singing & dancing. He plays everything from his drums, guitar, keyboard books and even enjoys a wooden spoon and cooking pot.  Along with "playing" his instruments he loves to sing. 

Things like this are the simple joys of parenthood...the simple joys in life. 

Greenbluff 2011

Every October we head north to Greenbluff with Sarah, Jason & Michael Jess.  This year, the further we drove the harder the rain came down.  We decided to give it a shot in the hopes that the rain would pass.  Unfortunately, instead of passing it just go worse. 
Rather than torturing ourselves with two toddlers in the pouring rain we packed up and headed back into town for lunch.  Hopefully next year we'll be able to spend a bit more time picking apples, eating pumpkin donuts & picking out pumpkins.

Pierson let me get one token picture!!

Potty Training

This past Saturday we started potty training!! I am 110% impressed by Pierson's determination and progress. He's doing AMAZING!! He doesn't event want to wear his diapers anymore, needless to say I think he was ready. 

We've been making the potties as accessible as possible, to give him as much opportunity for success as possible. So one is in our living room. While finishing up the kitchen after dinner I hear Scott whispering, "babe get the camera" - I think you can see for yourself why...

The County Fair

My Dad has a long standing tradition of getting all the grandkids at the County Fair on the same day...the reason behind this is he has to get his photo button!! It is a small treasure he holds close to his heart & I have to admit it is a ton of fun to see how the group as expanded and how each kid changes year over year.  Garrik was playing in the band at the Lewis & Clark football game...I can't believe he's in high school!!

This was Pierson's third fair.  His first fair he was only 9 months old.  Last year he loved the animals...this year my baby wanted to ride the rides...ALONE!! He's lucky we have his daddy to talk mommy of the crazy ledge & help me let him grow up.

Pierson's 1st Solo Fair Ride

2nd Fair Ride



Cat Tails

Keeping a toddler entertained can be challenging. Keeping a very active "all boy" 33 month entertained can be near impossible. And knowing fall/winter is right around the corner we've been busy!!

One Sunday morning Scott & decided to take Pierson to Cat Tails to see the "big cats." Cat Tails is a small zoo that takes in orphans and is the only Zoological Training Center in North America.  I love going places and getting to see familiar experiences through Pierson's eyes. 

Zeus the white tiger.

After this fun filled to trip to the zoo we headed off to lunch. Nothing beats spending a great day with my two boys!!