Halloween 2

Most of today was low key for us, a much needed rest after a fun-filled weekend with friends! After dinner, I spent forty minutes getting Ayden ready for trick-or-treating, a process that was not supposed to take more than twenty. (Don't ask. Ayden did great. I was the problem.) We snapped a few quick pictures on our front porch, and then we headed off to Max & Alex's neighborhood to join the fun.

Aunt Elise, Max, and Alex met us in the neighborhood. Bryan came equipped with Ayden's wagon, and we were off!

Ayden was a precious skunk, not nearly as stinky as his daddy says he is! He got many comments from the doorways of the homeowners, and one family insisted that he have a pack of M&M's, which he found wonderfully interesting for much of the journey. Max and Alex were incredibly patient with having a toddler in tow, and they humored my desire for pictures. We only stayed out for an hour (it was pretty chilly and getting late), but I think Ayden found his first trick-or-treating experience to be pretty fun!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Now with Kids (Day 3)

They rode the train, and they went to jail.

I think we were all slightly worn out from yesterday; nevertheless, we packed the boys up this morning to go to the zoo. Sawyer had yet to go to a zoo, and we hadn't taken Ayden in awhile. I'm not sure the animals were much of a highlight for either boy, though Ayden did really enjoy the brightly-colored fish, and Sawyer seemed interested in the tiger. We, of course, took some time to examine the flamingos. Ayden lounged with his sippy cup by the exhibit; since Sawyer keeps his cup with him, Ayden wanted his as well. (Sawyer was a model of good eating for Ayden the entire visit, and Auntie Courtney made Ayden some purees. We're so blessed to have such great influences on our child!)

Go, Tigers!

The real fun began when the boys got to ride the train. Besides the joy of riding in the caboose, the boys got a good view of the zebras. Ayden clapped and smiled the entire time.

Then there was the carousel. Ayden seemed to like the carousel the last time he rode it, but this time was very different. He screamed the entire time. He was completely freaked out... or completely exhausted... or both. Sawyer, on the other hand, found the carousel to be quite exciting. I'm sure it helped that his daddy moved him from animal to animal during the course of the ride!

I wanted a fun picture of the boys, and the zoo's Halloween preparations made for a lot of great backdrops. In a last minute rush to get the photo, here's what we took:

I already miss our friends. We had a fantastic weekend! I keep expecting to hear Sawyer say "Ayden" with that sweet Southern accent... Thank you, Scott, Courtney, and Sawyer, for making the trip to spend time with our family! We love you!

Now with Kids (Day 2: Evening)

The little boys play cowboys and Indians, and the big boys yell at the television.

Phew! We got home from Gentry's Farm a little before 3PM, which put naps way behind schedule. When the boys woke, it was practically 6PM and close to Clemson gametime. We hurriedly took pics as a Clemson family and then captured a few more of the boys in costumes. The evening became slightly stressful, as Ayden and Sawyer's energy increased, and the Tigers lost their first game of the season.

"Oh, go!"
(We don't know what it means,
but Ayden says this all of the time.)

Courtney told me Sawyer was going to be an Indian for Halloween (She handmade his costume!), so we deemed it appropriate that Ayden be a cowboy for their weekend visit. Where does one go for a toddler cowboy costume? Why, downtown Nashville, of course! Ayden loves his cowboy hat! He had a choice between a black hat and a red one. He chose the red one (Yes, I know, Clemson fans are scowling everywhere!), and he didn't want to relinquish the hat, not even to purchase it! I wish you could see his awesome cowboy boots in the pictures; he's really quite studly in them! His matching shirt is a Wrangler, which isn't at all Old West, but finding his size was rather difficult! The holster and guns set were special ordered on the Internet, and Bryan created a new hole in the belt to fit Ayden's tiny waist. I think the outfit was a success, and I know, for sure, we'll be getting good use out of the entire ensemble. We're in the right city for it!

Now with Kids (Day 2: Morning)

We even met Mr. Jimmy Gentry!

This morning was gorgeous! We could not have asked for more perfect weather to adventure to Gentry's Farm! Gentry's Farm is a historic working farm of almost 400 acres in Franklin, Tennessee. It's been owned by the Gentry family for nearly 150 years, and while the family does use the property for raising cattle, as well as growing pumpkins, the land is used mostly for educational purposes and in service to the community.

Mr. Jimmy Gentry can almost always be found on the property. He is both local and national hero. He grew up in Depression-era Franklin and served in the military during WWII; Mr. Gentry was among the soldiers who liberated the Nazi concentration camps. Following his service in the military, Mr. Gentry coached football in various Williamson County schools, including the school where I taught, Brentwood Academy. His life experiences are vast, and his heart is gracious.

I was able to sit down with Mr. Gentry and share the past few years. Overlooking his lovely farm and seeing my son playing in the distance, he listened intently to our story and was eager to meet my husband, son, and Clemson friends. He embraced us all with firm handshakes and warm hugs. He even gave Sawyer and Ayden each a small pumpkin painting that he had created for children in situations such as these.

The entire morning was filled with special moments, such as our time with Mr. Gentry. I believe that Ayden especially loved the wagon rides behind the tractor. He stood up in front of his daddy the entire time, and his face glowed with excitement and joy. The children especially liked the cows; one could hear a chorus of young comments: "Look at the baby cows!" or "I see/smell poop." or "Moooooo." We actually got to ride twice (a rarity since the farm normally hosts 3-4,000 people!), the second time in the wagon behind the tractor. Ayden was enamored with the tractor.

Bryan carted the boys around in Ayden's birthday wagon, and he walked Ayden through the playbarn. Sawyer & Ayden traveled through the corn maze, got to see various farm animals, and enjoyed playing in the fresh air. As we were leaving, we attempted to get pictures of the boys with a pumpkin, but Ayden kept stealing the pumpkin (it probably weighed more than him, but that was not a deterrent!), so we gave them each a pumpkin. The pumpkins stole the show, and we never captured the picture we were looking for... That doesn't mean they weren't super cute though!

This morning was one of the best times I have had in a long time. I was blessed by good weather, good times, and good company. God is so good.