California here we come right back where we started from

5

2011-04-23T20:07:00.001-07:00

This post is so bitter sweet. Here we are at birthday number 5. I know it seems silly but it feels like we've hit some sort of milestone. Obviously we knew we would be here someday, but it feels like it just snuck up on us. You are no longer that little baby boy. You have become a "big" kid. We are overwhelmed by God's love and grace in our life that is made so clear by the blessing that is you.

Everyday with you is an adventure, and we are so happy to go along for the ride. As we watch you grow we are constantly amazed and the person God has created you to be. We are so proud of the boy you are becoming. You are so smart, and loving. You are so kind hearted and conscience of others feelings. We love watching you play and learn. You have become quite the creative thinker, and your imagination knows no bounds. We are constantly in awe of the things you come up with. You are always laughing and you bring so much joy to everyone you are with. You are very much a perfectionist and want things done the right way.It's amazing to watch how you learn and understand new things. We are daily thankful for you and all that you bring to our family. We are excited to see what this new year has in store for you. Happy birthday Sawyer boy we love you so much!!!!!!

4-23-06.... The day you were born

4-23-07.....Your 1st birthday

4-23-08.....2 yrs old

4-23-09.... 3 years old

4-23-10.... 4 years old

4-23-11......5 years old

Goodbye 4

2011-04-22T22:59:00.001-07:00

Sawyer, today is your last day as a 4 year old :( I can't believe how fast it has gone. Daddy and I implored you to reconsider turning 5. We had hoped that you would agree to remaining 4 for another year. Sadly, you were adamant about being 5. You explained that when you are 5 you get to be like a grown up and thats what you wanted to be. We talked about it and decided that it didnt matter how grown up you were, you'd always be our little boy. We love you so much Sawyer, and we are excited to see what this new year brings. Here are your favorite things about being 4!

The day you turned 4

Almost 5

Sawyer Calvin Balcombe

Height: 48"

Weight: 42

Favorites:

Book: Lego Pirate Learn to Read Book

Movie: Short Circuit

Color: Blue

Shape: Circle

Food: Phineas and Ferb Macaroni and Cheese

Toy: Legos

Song: Close Your Eyes and I'll Kiss You

Game: Toy Story Operation

Place to go: Wil and Thaddeus boy's houses

Animal: Dinosaurs and Dogs

Speed Boats in the Bay for the Birthday Boys

2011-04-22T22:13:00.000-07:00

Paul's dad and brother have birthdays 2 days apart, so we usually end up celebrating them together. This year we wanted to do something special, more then just the normal family dinner. Pauls brother came up with the idea to rent speed boats down in the bay. It was one of the most fun things we have ever done in San Diego. Being out on the water really makes you appreciate the BEAUTIFUL city we live in. It was a pretty cold day for San Diego in the middle of April, but the sun was out and shinning. We all bundled up in our hats, coats, gloves, etc and headed out for our adventure. We split up between 2 boats and spent the next hour out on the water. After our hour was up we went for lunch in sea port village. It was a great way to spend an afternoon celebrating the 2 birthday boys.

The Birthday boys checking out the boats.

Safety first.

The boats

Sawyer and Wil

Auntie Buggy and Sawyer

Josh was our captain

Hanging out in the front of the boat

The Coronado bridge

The other half of our group

Wil

Having fun

Beautiful San Diego

This is what happens when you are in the front of the boat and you hit a big wave

He was sitting in the front of the boat too

Sawyer and Daddy

Julie and I

Disneyland Day 3

2011-04-22T21:49:00.001-07:00

We spent day three going from park to park. We started in Disneyland, then went to California Adventure back to Disneyland and finally back to California Adventure. Champa and Grammy came up for the day to surprise Sawyer. He loved having them to spend the day with.

Mr. Toads again

Tea cups

Bert

Woody

Champa and Sawyer

Champa and Grammy as toys

Playing games on the Midway

Winner

Max

Storybook land

Jungle Cruise

Toy Story Mania

Disneyland Day 2

2011-04-22T21:31:00.001-07:00

Day two was spent at Disneyland. It was perfect timing. The lines were short and the weather was beautiful.

Mr. Toads Wild Ride

Buzz Lightyear

Rockets

Haunted Mansion

Small World

Toon Town

Mickey's House

Mickey Mouse

Goofy

Buzz Lightyear

Building his own light saber

Disneyland Day 1

2011-04-22T20:59:00.001-07:00

We spent the first of our three days at Disney, in California Adventure.

Ready to go into the park.

Toy Story Mania.

Best Ride

Sawyer the action figure

Monster Inc

Stitch

Jessie and the Army Man

Sailor Mickey

Fro Zone

Mater and Mcqueen

Jumpin' Jellyfish

Pluto

Bug's Life

Chip and Dale

Lego Land for Nana's Birthday

2011-04-22T17:39:00.001-07:00

We took Nana to Lego Land for her birthday this year. We had the best time having her all to ourselves. Sher is the coolest Nana ever. She will try anything, and will ride everything. Lots of special memories.

Waiting for their first ride

Beetle Bounce

We ate the sports restaurant

The kids meal was a little buffet. It was so cute.

Buddies

Cupcakes for Nana

2011-04-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

Cupcakes for Nana

Ready to take them to her

Happy Birthday Nana.

Transportation Day

2011-04-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

Sawyers school did a unit on transportation in March. One of the days the kids brought their bikes and scooters to ride during their time on the playground. It was adorable. Each child was given a drivers license, and they had the playground all set up for the event. They had a gas station, a snack shack, a car wash, and a repair center. It was so fun to watch the kiddos act like adults. What a fun day!

Safety first

On our way to school

Car wash

Putting air in his tires

Snack break

Saying hi to mom

Sawyer's drivers license

Getting some gas

Sawyer Gets a Letter

2011-04-22T16:56:00.001-07:00

We decided to take a mini family vacation to Disneyland. Paul, Sawyer and I spent 3 days at the happiest place on earth in March. Sawyer got a special letter in the mail from Mickey Mouse inviting him to the park. The letter included a puzzle/game for Sawyer to put together to figure out where he was going. There were 10 different pictures of Disney characters in a bag, each with a number on the back. Sawyer had to put them in number order and then write the first letter of the characters name underneath it. When he had all the letters written out it would reveal his destination. This made it extra special for Sawyer and he was so excited when he finally finished putting the puzzle together.

Letter from Mickey

Daddy explaining the game to Sawyer

So excited!!

Thinking

Working hard

Writing the letters

He figured it out

So excited!!!!

Disneyland here we come

Museum Day in Balboa Park

2011-04-22T16:39:00.001-07:00

Tuesdays in Balboa park are free museum days. They have 3 different ones to choose from each week. We went to the Hall of Champions, and Air and Space. I know there was a 3rd but we didnt go to it. The kids loved exploring all the different stuff in each museum. It was a fun day of learning and and enjoying our city.

Cousins

Padres seats

Checking out the airplanes

What a fun day

Valentines Day

2011-04-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

Sawyer gave these to his teachers

I made his valentines this year

I cut out star wars pictures and taped them onto Hershey kisses

Ready for school

Writing his own name

Valentine basket from Daddy and Mommy

Goodies

New Mario shirt from Grammy

Our day at the wild animal park

2011-04-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

Our tour guide

Riding the safari bus

Hanging out with the lions

Talking to the elephants

Petting zoo

How far can you jump?

3ft for Sawyer

Christmas Morning

2011-04-22T08:16:00.001-07:00

Christmas morning was it's usual chaos. Paper flying as everyone is tearing open their gifts. It was fun to see Sawyer light up with each thing he opened. After presents we enjoyed my favorite part of Christmas morning, breakfast. my sweet mother in-law makes the most beautiful and tasty spread for us. As the morning went on the other pieces of our family started to trickle in and the chaos would start again. It was a wonderful day full of memories.

Sawyer's train table from Santa

Stockings

Stockings for the dogs

Checking out whatt Santa brought

Christmas Morning Continued.

2011-04-22T08:04:00.000-07:00

Cookies for Santa

2011-04-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

Before we left Texas one of my friends had a pottery painting party. This lady was AMAZING. She took Sawyer's little feet and turned them into Santa's. It made the most adorable cookies for Santa plate you have ever seen. It was so fun to get it out and put some cookies on it for the first time. Its something I will treasure forever. Something to remind Paul and I of just how little our boy once was.

Sawyer and his plate

Making sure all the cookies were on just right

Can't have cookies without milk.

Reindeer Food

2011-04-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

After We opened up our pj's it was time to start getting ready for bed. This year we added something new to our routine. Sawyer and I were out shopping one day and we found a package of reindeer food. Sawyer said we should get it because," it's not fair that Santa gets all the cookies and there isn't anything for the reindeer." I couldn't argue with that so we bought it. Before bed we took our reindeer food outside and sprinkled it all over the grass for the reindeer to eat while Santa was inside.

Sprinkling the food

All done

Christmas Pj's

2011-04-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

Paul and I both grew up opening one gift on Christmas eve. Each year we would get new pj's to wear for Christmas morning. It made for fun pictures. Since we both grew up with this tradition it was a no brainer that we would continue it with our family. This year we stayed at Paul's parents house Christmas eve so we all got open or pj's together. For Sawyer's first Christmas I got he and Paul matching pj's and have done so for every Christmas since. The last couple of years we decided to make it a family affair and have all of us match. Sawyer loves it and I plan on taking advantage of it while he still thinks it's cool.

Sawyer helping Champa open his pj's

Sawyer helping Grammy

Daddy's turn

Uncle Lance's turn

Sawyer's turn

My matching boys!

Christmas Eve.....Part 2

2011-04-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

After we left my grandpas we headed for my parents house. We celebrated Christmas with them on Christmas eve. We had a wonderful meal, opened gifts and watched a Christmas movie. It was low key and relaxing, the best way to spend holidays. Sawyer was completely spoiled and had a great time. We love being home and spending the holidays with the people we love most!

Sawyer's tree and all his gifts

Ready to dig in

So spoiled :0)

Christmas Eve....Part 1

2011-04-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

We spent Christmas eve morning with my grandpa and his wife Betsy. It was so much fun for us to have time with just them. We spent the morning chatting and eating and enjoying each others company. Sawyer's favorite part about great grandpas house is his train set. My grandpa puts them out every year at Christmas around his tree. I loved them as a child and now Sawyer is enjoying them. I love that Sawyer is getting to enjoy his great grandpa, it's such a blessing.

Sawyer and great grandpa

Putting the train together

Great Grandpa showing him how to drive the train

Moving the tracks

Being a tunnel

Checking out the other side

group shot

Great grandpa, Betsy and Sawyer

Cookies and Gingerbread House

2011-04-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Sawyer and I spent the day at my moms making Christmas cookies and a gingerbread house. Sawyer loved having free range over the frosting and sprinkles and my mom and I loved watching him. It's fun to be back home and get to do so many fun Holiday things with both sides of our family. There is never a shortage on fun activities for Sawyer.

Sprinkles

A little taste test

Sawyer and Grandma's messy hands

Why wash when you can lick?

Sawyer's handy work

Gingerbread house

Sawyer and Mommy

Snow on the roof

Having fun.

Painting Cookies

2011-04-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

Painting Christmas cookies is another of our Christmas traditions. This one comes from Paul's moms side. Instead of frosting their cookies they paint them. The paint is a mixture of egg whites, powdered sugar, and food coloring. It's a really fun and tasty way to get beautiful sugar cookies. The family was already planning to get together for dinner because one of Paul's cousins were going to be in town. Since the extended family was already going to be together we thought it would be fun to have everyone over to paint cookies. It was a blast. We had tons of cookies from our baking day, beautiful paint colors and about 2o ready and willing painters. It's so fun to see the different generations of cookie painters. I love that the same things Sawyer's great grandma and Grammy were doing when they were kids at Christmas time are now the things Sawyer and his cousins are doing. I love family traditions.

Some of the painters

Nana and Quinn

Silly Boys

Daddy and Sawyer

Uncle Tim, Aunt Shelly, Paul and Sawyer

Hard at work

Our little painter

Some of our creations

The aftermath

World's Greatest Mom ;)

Christmas Cookies

2011-04-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

It wouldn't be Christmas without cookies. The girls all got together for a fun day of baking and being together. This year I made everyone Christmas aprons to make the day a little more festive. We had a great time laughing, and baking together.

Some of the girls with their aprons

My favorite

Master baker

Working hard

The girls and their aprons

Silly girls

Cutting out the sugar cookies

Waiting for the oven

We dont mess around

Some of the finished cookies

Christmas Program

2011-04-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

Our kids program at church put on a kids choir for Christmas this year. The 5th grade and below sang and did bells for our Christmas service. It is always such a delight to see the kids in their Christmas clothes singing away. My favorite of course is the pre school age kids, they are so adorable up on stage, looking completely clueless and usually doing there own thing. This year was wonderful because we were back home with our family/church family where Sawyer got to take part. Here are some pictures of the kiddos.

Trevin and Sawyer

Little buddies.

Lunch With Santa

2011-04-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

Saturday was Sawyer's lunch date with Santa. The event was put on by the community center. You bought a ticket for your child and it included lunch and pictures with Santa. As well as Christmas crafts and games. We had no idea what to expect, and Paul and I were a little nervous. We headed out for Sawyer's big day, and boy were we surprised. It was great. The community center had been all decorated for Santa. They had tables all set with Christmas plates, and adorable chair covers. Activity tables all around the room with different things for the kids to do. They even had a special corner just for Santa and the kids to have their picture taken. We couldn't believe it. The kids played and did some coloring and then it was time for lunch. The kids were each given a happy meal and a juice box. While they were eating Santa showed up, and all the kids were so excited/stunned to see him. After they ate the kids were each given a stocking and fun stuff to decorate it. Not only did the kids each get their picture taken with Santa, but they were each given a special present from him too. It was a wonderful experience for Sawyer and I'm sure the first of many. Here are some fun pics!

Sawyer with the chair covers

Coloring

Waiting for lunch

So excited to see Santa

Santa's corner

Decorating his stocking

Working hard
\

All finished

Picture time

Sawyer and Santa

Sawyer Gets a Letter

2011-04-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

Sawyer received a very special letter in the mail during December. It was invitation to have lunch with Santa. He was so excited!!!!

The letter waiting for him to get home

Ready to open it

Daddy reading him the letter

So excited!!!!

Christmas Misc.

2011-04-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

Here are few Christmas misc. pics that didnt really fit anywhere else.

Sawyer gaves these to the kids in his class as a little Christmas present.

I wrapped up a baggie with M&M's and the poem above.

Looking cute with his chocolate calendar.

Letter to Santa

2011-04-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

Every year we write a letter to Santa from Sawyer letting Santa know what he'd like for Christmas. This year Sawyer wrote his letter all by himself. It was a bitter sweet moment for us. So proud of him and excited to see how he's growing. Yet, sad to see our little guy growing up so fast. He enjoyed writing his list and addressing the envelope all by himself. What a special memory for us.

Sawyer with his letter.

So cute!!!!

Working hard

Addressing the envelope

Licking the envelope

Ready for the mailbox

Sticking it in the mail slot

He needed a little lift from Grammy

Off to the North Pole

Grow A Tree

2011-04-18T17:04:00.001-07:00

While I was out Christmas shopping I stumbled upon this cute little Christmas tree kit. It came with all the things you would need to grow your own tree. I was sold. I love this kind of stuff. I love kid friendly holiday crafts. We had one of Sawyers cousins over for the night so I brought it out for them to do. The boys really enjoyed it and it really worked. Unfortunately I didnt get a picture of the end result. Use your imagination.

Thaddeus and Sawyer ready to start

Pulling the "branches" apart

Pouring the magic water

Waiting

Cute boys
\

Starting to grow

Christmas Tree.....Part 2

2011-04-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

After the tree was all set up the decorating began.

Sawyer and Uncle Lance taking a break.

Uncle Lance helping Sawyer put the star on top.

Just a little adjustment

Hanging ornaments

So beautiful

Christmas Tree......Part 1

2011-04-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Christmas trees. I Love spending the day looking for the perfect tree. I want to open them all up and shake them down to see how they fall. Paul prefers to play Christmas tree lotto. Pick one and see what you get. Being back in San Diego and Paul being out of commission with his broken collar bone it was a lottery year. We got our tree at Costco this year. They had fresh cut noble firs delivered each day. The guys pulling the trees out of the truck were so kind. I told them I wanted the fullest, tallest tree they could find. They went through about 5 or 6 trees with me before I finally settled on one. They loaded it up in the car and off we went. We got it home and all set up, it was beautiful. So happy that we were winners this year in Christmas Tree Lotto.

Sawyer outside the truck of trees.

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Loading it up>

Daniel and Lance putting it in the stand

Helping uncle Daniel tighten the screws

Helping Grammy open up the tree.

Uncle Lance.

Lights

2011-04-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Every year my sister and brother in-law cover their house in Christmas lights. These two spend days covering anything that will stand still. After they have worked so hard they invite family and friends over for the "house lighting ceremony." After a yummy dinner we all bundle up and head outside to see all their handy work. This really kick starts the Christmas season for us and we look forward to it every year!

Waiting to see the lights

Beautiful lights

Thanksgiving and a Little Bit of Christmas

2011-04-14T06:52:00.001-07:00

Thanksgiving and a Little Bit of Christmas

We learned early on in our marriage that having two Thanksgiving dinners in one day was not the way to go. It was to hectic trying to get from one family to another on time and it was way to much food. We do Thanksgiving twice and its a wonderful way to really enjoy the holiday with both sides of our family. This year we had Thanksgiving with my family the day after Thanksgiving and it was great. We had great food, great company and a wonderful time just reflecting on God's goodness to us. We really have so much to be thankful for. My grandpa and his wife Betsy came for dinner. It was wonderful to spend time catching up with them and to watch them enjoy being with Sawyer so much. I was so busy with dinner and just enjoying my time with everyone I forgot to pull the camera out, so enjoythe few shots I got.

Ready to eat!

Grandpa taught Sawyer a new trick.

Grandpa, Betsy, Dad, and Paul.

Great Grandpa and Sawyer

Grandma and Sawyer cutting the pie.

The fam!

The weekend after Thanksgiving is when Christmas starts at our house. We pull out all our stuff and spend the weekend decorating and getting ready to enjoy the Christmas season as long as we can. My mom got Sawyer his own little tree and ornaments this year. We decided to let him open it and decorate after dinner. He had such a good time putting the ornaments on. He loved having a tree his size. It was so cute. Here are some pics of the boy with "his" Christmas tree.

Hanging the ornaments

Putting the star on top.

Daddy had to help a little.

So cute!!!

All lit up.

Every time we go to grandma and grandpa's house Sawyer and grandpa "divide." Sawyer really looks forward to this special time with grandpa. My dad takes all he change out of his pockets and he and Sawyer divide it up. Sawyer groups all the like coins together and then divides them into two piles. They each have their own piggy bank too. It really is so cute to see them together.

Sawyer dividing up the money.

Thanksgiving

2011-03-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving started out just like it always does. The guys up at the crack of dawn to play football in the annual Turkey Bowl, Val in the kitchen cooking, Pumpkin pie and raw stuffing for breakfast. A typical Thanksgiving for us. About 8 I ran out to take Nana some stuffing for breakfast. We had extended family in town staying at her house so I stayed a while to visit. We were having a great time catching up when the phone rang. It was Val calling to let me know that Paul had been taken to the emergency room with what they thought was a broken collar bone. So off I went still in my pj's to meet Lance and Paul in the emergency room. Paul and I sent the next 3 hours there waiting on x-rays and medication. It wasn't the ideal place to spend our Thanksgiving morning but what are you going to do.

He got released just in time for us to make it to the church for communion. Something our church does every year. The church is open for a few hours with all the pastors available for you to have communion with your family before the days festivities begin. It's a wonderful time for our family to be together and to remember what we are most thankful for before we are caught up in the hustle and bustle of the day ahead.

After communion we headed home for showers and to get ready to head up to Julie's for the day. We enjoyed a day full of family, delicious food and being thankful for all we have. As you will see we did get caught up in the day and the photo department suffered. Maybe next year i'll remember to slow down and savor the memories a little more. Happy Thanksgiving!

Lance and Paul ready for the turkey bowl

Paul, Grandpa and Daniel

Food coma

Evan and Addison

Aren't they the cutest things ever

Peyton and the boys

Ananbelle, Faye and Sloan

Julie

Athena, and Daniel with Wyatt

Wyatt

Josh and Zac

Oreo Turkeys

2011-03-12T07:55:00.000-08:00

I love holidays and everything that goes along with them. I also love crafty things especially ones that kids can get involved in. I had some of the cousins over for the afternoon and decided to do some holiday fun crafts. We decided on oreo turkeys. They are so cute and the kids loved putting them together.

Faye and Sawyer working away

Wil and his turkey

Having fun

Sawyer's turkeys

Aren't they so cute.

Paint me a Story

2011-03-12T07:32:00.000-08:00

ur local Color Me Mine has a class once a week for preschool age kiddos called "Paint me a Story" The kids get listen to a story and then paint something that goes along with the story they just read. This month they made a turkey hand plate in honor of Thanksgiving. It's so precious. It's something that will always remind me of just how small Sawyer used to be. This month our friends Violet and Blaire joined in the fun. Augie and Owen were there too. The kids had a great time together and really enjoyed the painting. Here are the pics of our time together.

Listening to the story

Blaire, Owen and Stephanie

Augie, Erin, and Violet

Sawyer's hand

Violet, Sawyer and Blaire

Lunch at Chipotle to finish out our special day

Halloween

2011-03-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

We had a very low key Halloween this year. We were just about a week away from our move so we thought it best to keep it simple. After dinner the 3 of us got our costumes on( yes, you read that correctly. We all had costumes this year.) and headed out for some trick-or-treating. I didn't get any pictures of us while we were out because I stupidly forgot our camera. So you'll have to make do with what I had. Enjoy!

The costumes

Our little Mario

Princess Peach and Mario

Luigi and Mario

Off we go!

Harvest Festival

2011-03-12T07:05:00.001-08:00

Sawyer's preschool puts on an amazing harvest festival/carnival every year for Halloween. It has tons of games, arts and crafts, bounce houses, costume contests, food, all the candy your kid could ever hope to get, etc etc. I really could keep going but I think you get the idea. We got Sawyer all dressed up in his costume and headed out for some fun.

All ready to go

Playing some games

Candy

Our friends the Palmers joined us for the fun

We're Back!

2011-02-26T20:20:00.000-08:00

It took us a little time to settle back into our new/old life here in San Diego. It seemed at times like we were here for vacation. We spent the first few weeks trying to see everyone and fit in all the things we love to do here. Getting Paul's office all set up and our living arrangements in order. We were busy to say the least. The blog definitely took a back seat. When I would get ready to post, sometimes things would come up and other times it was just to hard to see the old memories. I just couldn't make myself get into it. I even considered weather or not to keep the blog going. After some thinking I have decided it is time to get back to it. I'm finally ready. I don't know if anyone stills reads it or not but that doesn't really even matter anymore. All that matters is that one day I will have these blog posts to remind of what we were and what we've become. How Sawyer and our family has grown and all the memories in between. I'm even hoping one day that I will get motivated enough to turn them into books. I have a lot of catching up to do so please be patient with me. I'm hoping to be all caught up in a couple of weeks. If any of you are still out there I hope you enjoy catching up with the Balcombe's!

Pumpkin carving and haunted house decorating!

2011-02-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

We had our dear friends the Dickerson's over for dinner and pumpkin carving. Tre had never carved a pumpkin before. Crazy right? After dinner we got everything all set up and the guys got to it. Erin and I decided to get the kids a haunted house decorating kit to do while we did pumpkins. As you will see there are no pictures of the kids decorating the haunted house. This is for a number of reasons. 1) the kids were only interested in the haunted house to eat the candy. When we told them no more candy it didn't take them long to find something else to occupy their time. 2) Erin and I may be a little on the controlling side and we may have offered more help then the kids wanted. In the end I think it worked out best for everyone. The kids got to spread some frosting, and eat some candy and Erin and I ended up with a haunted house the way we wanted it to look :) Tre and Paul worked and worked and created some of the best looking pumpkins i've ever seen. We laughed and laughed all night. Hope you enjoy the pics.

I made these spider web cupcakes for dessert.

Cleaning out the pumpkins

Before

Carving away

Our masterpiece. (ignore the bottle of sprinkles)

Paul's amazing pumpkin.

Halloween Party

2010-11-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

What a fun Halloween celebration we had with our sweet friends! The food was exceptional! Everyone knocked it out of the park with their festive creations!!! It was fun to just be together and let the kids play. Here are some photos of our fun!

Oreo spider cookies

Candy corn cupckaes

Fruit cup jack o lanterns

We even had festive signs for all the food

Our drink cups

Fingers and dip

Deviled egg eyeballs

Yummy dip

Enough about the food, here are the sweet kiddos

Making mummy pizzas

Sweet Turner

The gang and Barney Bear

Having fun

Game time

Our sweet boy

Even Brinley got in on the action

10 little pumpkins!

Pumpkin Patch With the New Mr. and Mrs.

2010-10-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

We hit another pumpkin patch with our friends the Dickerson's. They had little baby ducks, chicks, and rabbits for the kids to hold and TONS of pumpkins to choose from. It was fun to spend time with them and let the kids play. Here are some of the pictures of our time together.

Sawyer and a baby chick

Mckalyn and the baby chicks

Mckalyn and Sawyer

Sawyer the rabbits and Daddy

Sawyer and the pumpkins

Our family

The Dickerson's

Celina Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

What a fun day Sawyer and I had at the pumpkin patch. We went with our dear friends the Palmers. The kids loved feeding the animals, going on the hay ride, and playing in the field of pumpkins. Here are some pictures of our trip to Celina!

Feeding the longhorn

Hay ride

Time to pick our pumpkin

Mommy and Saywer

Feeding all the goats

Feeding the sheep

Chasing the rooster

Ft.Worth Zoo

2010-10-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

We went to the Ft.Worth Zoo today. It was a wonderful way to spend a beautiful Fall Saturday. We saw lots of animals, walked a few miles, and just enjoyed spending time together. Sawyer loved "reading" the map, and being our tour guide. He loved seeing all the animals, (you can get surprisingly close to some of them). He said his favorite animal at the zoo was the giraffe, which is amazing since they happen to be the ONLY animals we didn't get to see. All in all it was a great day.

On our way in.

Our tour guide

Sawyer, Daddy and the elephants

Sawyer, Mommy and the elephants

The White Tiger

There is a Tiger back there

My Boys

Picture with the Lion

Picture with a bird

The reptile house

Sawyer and a bird

The kangaroos

Sawyer and the penguins

What a fun day!

Barney Bear Comes to Visit

2010-10-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

We had a special visitor on Wed night. Sawyer's class bear, Barney came to stay at our house for the night. What a wonderful time we had. He and Sawyer hit the ground running, and didn't stop till it was time for bed. Sawyer did a great job taking care of Barney, he prayed for him when got in the car and asked God to help Barney not be scared, and to have a good time at our house. He made sure to include him in all the decision making about what they were going to do. It was so fun to watch them play. Here are some pictures of their adventures.

Sawyer and Barney when we got home from school.

They watched a movie together

Then we went to the park

Barney loved the slide

Then it was time for dinner

Barney met our friends Callie and Blaire

The boys in their pajamas

Barney Bear had a special recipe for cinna-bear toast

We made it for breakfast

Yummy!!

Park Fun

2010-09-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our first official fall day. The weather was so beautiful, and Sawyer and I were determined to take advantage of it. We called up some friends and headed to the park for a picnic. We spent about 2 1/2 hours, playing, having lunch and just enjoying the wonderful weather.

Blaire aka Jessie

Sawyer aka Sheriff Woody

Owen, Blaire, and Sawyer

Blaire and Sawyer

Owen

Buddies

Eli stopped by for a few minutes

Chapel Angel

2010-09-11T06:06:00.001-07:00

Sawyer was the chapel angel at school this week. The kids got to chapel once a week and they choose a child each week to be the angel. This child gets to pray at the end of chapel. They get a little certificate at the end that has a little "angel" and the prayer they prayed on it. He was so proud! So are we.

Sawyer with his certificate

The angel is a loli pop wrapped in a coffee filter

His prayer, so sweet

So proud of our little guy

Our Bear Cub

2010-09-11T06:00:00.001-07:00

Sawyer made a bear hat for his bear class. We think he's the cutest little bear we've ever seen!

First Day of School

2010-09-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

Sawyer had his first day of school of last week. Despite the crazy storm outside we made it in one piece. Sawyer was so excited for school, he ran into our room at 6:30 to tell us it was his first day of school. We got up, had breakfast and got all ready for the first day. He is adjusting well, and seems to be happy with his class. He has mentioned how he misses his friends in the Frog class, but i'm confident he will have plenty of Bear friends in no time.

Paul and I are thrilled to be at SPP again. We love this program so much and can hardly wait to see how Sawyer grows this year. Here's to a new year!

Sawyer checking out the storm

Showing off his backpack

Ready to go and brave the storm

His buddy Macy

The spot for his backpack

Sawyer and Mommy

Mrs.Jenn Sawyer and Mrs. Betty

Time To Meet The Teachers

2010-09-09T16:03:00.000-07:00

It's that time again. Sawyer is about to start his second year of preschool at Stonebriar Preschool Pals. I went a week ago to parent orientation where we got to meet Sawyer's new teachers. Sawyer is in the Bear class this year, and has 2 WONDERFUL teachers. He was so excited when I got home, and couldn't wait to hear all about his new teachers. The teachers sent us home with a letter to give the kids. Sawyer couldn't wait to open it.

Here is the letter

Opening up his leter

It was picture of his teachers with a note about how excited they were to meet him!

Green Snakes End of the Season Party

2010-09-02T05:48:00.000-07:00

The Green Snakes celebrated the end of the season with a little party at Dunkin Donuts. The kids got to eat yummy donuts, while Coach Chris handed out their trophy's. They also got a very special gift bag with lots of fun snake and soccer stuff inside. What a fun way to say goodbye to the soccer season.

Sawyer and Macy always together

Yummy donuts

Macy Sawyer and Logan

Getting his trophy

So excited!

The Green Snakes

The team and coaches!

Sawyer's Soccer Season

2010-09-02T05:26:00.000-07:00

Sawyer played soccer through the YMCA ankle biters league this summer. He loved it! Here are some pictures from the season.

Our last night

2010-08-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

We spent our last night having dinner and playing games with the family. It was a wonderful way to end our vacation. We had the best time. We love being with our family and miss them so much when we in Texas. Thanks for a wonderful 2 weeks.

Arent they adorable!

We even found time for one more game of Settler's before we left!