Carving Pumpkins

We had a fabulous time cutting pumpkins. The "red headed" ones thought it was great to get their hands in there and take out the seeds. Alli did not feel the same way. She preferred the spoon method! Ashley washed her hands at least 6 times during the process. She would just get up and say she needed to wash her hands, but would come right back out and clean some more. The kids did a little carving this year. I had them draw out the face they wanted and Jimmy and I cut them out. I love holiday traditions! It is so much fun just to sit back and watch them do such a "simple" task as cleaning pumpkins and know that this is what great memories are made of. Jimmy and I bought a book of designs and used that. His bat turned out pretty cool, but I have to admit, I think mine is cooler! Isaac especially loved the two faces. Happy Carving!

My Secret Is Out

I have known for years that Jimmy has a "magical chest". He takes really long deep breathes that put me to sleep and we always kid about his magical chest. I guess my secret is out. Chevy, Isaac, and Ashley have realized the powers of the "magical chest". I LOVE Sunday's!

Happy 18th Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday to the best dad I could possibly have!!! Ok, to be honest, you are not 18, being that I am almost 30, but I think you could have pulled it off if I didn't tell anyone my age!!! Your secret is safe with me.

Happy Birthday!!!

Thanks and Talent

I received the coolest gift in the mail yesterday. I just had to take a picture to show everyone. My friend Jennie is the "craftest" person I know. It is disgusting the cool things she makes. I am so sad that I had her bring in her scrappin' things and I took pictures to "scraplift" her ideas. She is just beyond talented. I am sorry that the picture does not do it justice. The little hanger thing is just a fall/Halloween decoration that holds a photo on both side and the other item is a minature photo album. It is just too cool. Thanks is not enough for such a great gift, but it will have to do. Thank you Jenn!!!

New Favorite

Ashley loves to have her picture taken with Jimmy. She is such a Daddy's girl. This is one of the first pictures that I think she is SOOOOO Jimmy. It is sad to admit, I thought I had one that looked like her mom, but no, she is looking more and more like her daddy. So today, this is my "new" favorite picture...always subject to change!!! It will probably change if I can find a picture where she looks like her mom...no wait, that can't happen, that would require someone else taking the picture. Why is it only Mom's know how to take pictures of children? That is the questions of the day. Any suggestions, please let me know:)!

Sometimes...

Sometimes, I forget to appreciate the "small" things in life. Like the trees changing color...I expect it...I know it will happen. I forget to realize the true miracle it really is. It is like God's coloring book. I also forget to realize how lucky I am to have the three miracles that make my life go round. Scratch that, four miracles. We have our trying days of craziness, but what would my life be without them? It scares me to even think of such things. It is kind of like the trees changing colors...I expect them to be there, driving me crazy...I know it will happen. If I just took a moment to realize what a fabulous thing I have here. God gave me Camp Chaos!!! Not anybody else, just me. So today, I appreciate Jimmy for loving me, his children, his job and of course his race car. I love that he gets me. He can fire me up faster than anyone in this world, but he is always in my corner cheering me on and more importantly, calming me down. Today, I also appreciate the rest of Camp Chaos. Everyday they call me Mommy I love them a little more. To know all of the crap we went through to have one...in the end to have three...how blessed I really am. I love how Ashley is the missing link in making Alli and Isaac look alike. I love all three of them are independent thinkers and are not afraid to be themselves. I especially love that they still believe that I can fix anything. Yes, sometimes I wish for a little peace and quiet, but you know what...Camp Peace and Quiet just doesn't have the same ring as Camp Chaos (thanks Dirk for coining the phrase...we love Dirky Chicken!)!

Friends...

This picture may not mean very much to anybody else, but it means a lot to me. Kelley is one of my oldest and dearest best friends, since 5th grade to be exact. That fact that she lives in Florida and I see her only every few years does not affect our friendship. I still talk to her almost everyday at 10:30 (just ask Liliana?!?). I always wanted my kids and my friends kids to be friends, crazy I know, but what girl doesn't want that? Yesterday, it happened with Kelley and Lucas. The kids were a little shy, but we had a wonderful time just being there together. Thanks Kelley, Rusty, Lucas, and Mr. & Mrs. Wilmers for having us tag along. It was a lot of fun!!!

Rainy Day Fun

The weather man said we were in a moderate risk for heavy winds, hail, and even a tornado. All we got we was about 15 minutes of hard rain and another 15 minutes of playing in the mud puddle. Alli was more hesitant to play, she wanted her pants rolled up and sandals on. The two "red headed ones" were another story. They were SOAKED from head to toe. Isaac ran from the yard and jumped as hard as he could into the puddle. Ashley just stayed right in the puddle and kept jumping. Mother Natures provides GREAT entertainment!

Who says rainy day go away???

Princess doesn't even fit

Girly girl doesn't even begin to describe this girl of mine. I am not sure where she came from. I was anything but a girly girl when I was her age. I am convinced that she should be Aunt Jodi's; they have a lot more in common. I have a admit, I am kind of liking this mom of a girly girl thing. She is easy to buy for, if it is pink or purple, glittery, or flowery...I am in. She loves to be a princess! The girl brings a purse more places than I do. Today she decided that being just a princess was not enough...she must accessorize! The dress, the high heals, the necklace, the braclet, the purse, the ring, the wand...now that MAKES A PRINCESS!!! Little does she know she is a princess regardless...always and forever!!!

Lewis Farms

We had an awesome time at Lewis Farms this weekend. Jimmy went out of town racing with John (who finished 2nd!...yeah Johnny!!!). My mom( thanks Mom!!) was kind enough to go with me to the farm and lend me an extra set of hands. It was a dreary day, but we had a great time. The kids got to feed to animals and the animals got to eat them back. Well, not really, but close. One of the goats LOVED Isaac's coat and one of the camels tried to bite Ashley's face (in a nice way...not to worry)! Those camels were quite a hit with us, especially Grandma, who decided to kiss the camels. See the photos below of the GREAT time we had together. Thanks again Mom, we could not have done it without you!!!

Lewis Farms with Grandma

halloween preview

Halloween Preview

To keep me from getting "all worked up", I decided to take a few pictures of the kids in their Halloween outfits. Basically, if I have the "picture" before Halloween, I can actually enjoy trick or treating and not drive Jimmy crazy with taking pictures. It really is a good idea, if the kids cooperate. It's not Penney's ( I am banning them), but they did ok. What can I expect for 7:30 at night? Alli liked getting her picture taken the best...imagine that?!?

Check out my Slide Show!

Lewis Farms

The kids went on their first field trip of the school year to Lewis Farms. We have been there before (and LOVED it), but it is still fun to go back, especially when it is for "school". Everyone there was so wonderful, explaining all the animals, giving us yummy cider and donuts, and taking us on an apple express to pick apples in the orchard. They were kind enough to take us to the dwarf apple trees. The kids knew the "proper" way to remove an apple (for the record, you twist and pull towards the sun, never down, it could ruin the blossom for next year, would have loved to known that in years past...sorry trees!!) and the best part, all the apples were at their level. It is a lot of fun to see the kids interect with their friends at school. I had a great time and I think they did too.

see additional photos at

http://picasaweb.google.com/crazycampchaos/LewisFarms/photo#s5119060673094861122

30-10

Alli informed me yesterday that she can count "really high" and started in. I was very impressed with how high she did count. She needed help reminding her that 28 came after 27, not thirty, but other than that she did great. She counted all the way to 30-10. Yes, that is correct, after 39 comes 30-10.

Ashley's Boyfriend