Halloween Party at the Park

The local recreation center held a Halloween party for kids last Friday night and we opted to take the boys. I thought it would be fun for Hatcher since he completely understands the notion of "trick or treating." We got them both dressed up in their dragon costumes in preparation for this week. It was fun...we put them in their pjs and costumes and headed out for a later than ususal evening at the park. The festivities were indoors, so it worked out well for everyone since it was cold and rainy outside. I only got a few good pictures of them...enjoy...looking forward to Halloween!

Boys first airshow - Air Force Thunderbirds

Last Sunday we took the boys to the "Wings Over Marietta Air Show" at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. I think Derek was just as excited as the boys! Neither Aidan nor Hatcher seemed bothered by the loud sounds that the planes made as they flew low for the show. We were able to see the father-son team of stunt pilots, an F-22 Raptor, and F-16s entertain the huge crowd that had gathered. But the coolest part of the show for Derek and me was definitely the Thunderbirds...boy do those guys (ladies included) have big kahunas! We enjoyed funnel cake, hot dogs and an a quick walk through an Air Force One - the plane that the first lady uses in her journeys in the states and abroad. It was a great day, great weather, and as Derek and I were leaving the show, we both commented to each other how we felt priveledged to be citizens of this great country. Enjoy the pictures...

Fall Carnival at School

Late last week, I know I am behind on my updates, the kids' school hosted a fall carnival in the late afternoon early evening hours. They had a big outdoor "jumpy" and a train for everyone to ride in, along with food and prizes. Hatcher and Aidan spent most of their time in the jumpy or on the train. I got some cute photos from the afternoon. Enjoy!

Another spectacular rainbow

One night last week, the boys and I were out on the front porch enjoying an ice cream sandwich and Hatcher spotted this spectacular rainbow. He was so proud that he found it. Aidan, however, was more enamoured with the pumpkins. So, I got pictures of both!

Great visit - although SHORT - to Dallas

We decided to make a quick journey to Dallas to visit with family and spend some time with our sister Catie. The boys had not yet had a chance to meet their Aunt Catie and in short order, the stars aligned, we were all able to synch up our extremely busy schedules (including Uncle Ben - who hasn't been to Dallas since Dad passed away) and head to the Big D to see everyone. We all had so much fun - but as always, it was a whirlwind trip. We landed last Friday just before 5 pm and had just enough time to stop by Aunt Lisa's house to drop off our luggage and freshen up to head off to meet the Hubbards (Aunt Lainee, Uncle Mike, Andersen and Aris!!!) for dinner at La Hacienda. Love that place! Then Saturday morning, we went to watch Ashton play her soccer match (they won 4:1) and then off to lunch. Saturday night we had a get together with Catie at Aunt Lisa's house. It was such fun. The kids all played in Ashton's room and then we had salad, pizza and cake. Sunday Uncle Ben, Aunt Lisa and Ashton went to church while the boys napped and then we headed to Andersen's horse show. That night Hatcher went with Ashton to soccer practice while I got everything sort of packed for our early morning departure on Monday. When they got back we all had dinner and the kids and Uncle Ben got in the pool, which Aunt Lisa had heated slightly. Loads of fun!

Don't get me wrong - there were a good many typical Kemmerlin challenges on this trip. The first was a sequence of Hatcher not making it to the bathroom in time. Partly my fault as I failed to recall the distance that some of the bathrooms were once we had arrived at the airport! So in just trying to get to Dallas, we went through 3 pants and underwear and when all else failed, Hatcher boarded the plane in a pull up, shirt and shoes! It was funny. Then, the guy in front of us who kept sneezing may have passed on a cold, that remains to be seen. However, as usual with us as of the last few years, we all got sick on this journey. It may have started as allergies, but by the time we flew home, both boys had ear infections and I had nearly cleaned Aunt Lisa of her overstock of Kleenex! All in all, we had loads of fun and wish that Derek had joined us. But don't shed any tears, he had a great boy's weekend with no kids! Poker, drinking, movies, dinners out with friends, and 4-wheeling in the middle of no where. He had a great time!

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Picture Day and Hatcher's first visit to the dentist

Today was another milestone day in Casa de Kemmerlin! Hatcher had his first dentist appointment. The kids also had fall school pictures today at school, so getting everyone ready and off this morning was a super chore. But as the day winds down, I can look back and say it was loads of fun. They looked so cute for fall pictures. I couldn't get both of them to smile/look cute at the same time so I am sharing a couple of photos from my attempt to capture them before I took them to school. After taking the kids to school, I went back later to pick up Hatcher for his big appointment. He was so excited and talked to me about brushing his teeth the whole way there. He knew my appointment was today too, so he kept asking me if I had brushed my teeth too because, "if not, you should go home Mommy and brush really good!" As most of you know - I am always late...to nearly everything. I can see it has been rubbing off on Hatcher. No matter where we are going, he is always saying, "we gotta hurry Mommy!" HA! Today was no different.

We made the appointment, okay so we were 10 minutes late, and Derek met us as the Dentist office. Derek and I tried to play up that today was a special big boy day for Hatcher. He did so well at the dentist office - I am sure that having Toy Story 2 on the TV helped a good bit! But, he not only let them check all his teeth, he got a good cleaning as well. All checked out great, and the dentist said that sealants and fluorides have come such a long way that as long as he brushes regularly and visits the dentist, he should grow up with no cavities! Afterwards, he and Derek went to Derek's office to see everyone while I stayed back for my cleaning. I met up with them for a quick bite to eat and then back to school and work we went. Such a wonderful little man, we are so proud of him!

Hatcher's sweet thoughts

Everyday the boys come home with these "daily activity reports" that provide details on when the boys ate, slept and went to the bathroom. It also provides the parents with an idea of the day's planned activities. Hatcher's teacher, Ms. Nicole, often goes that extra step and writes something special or unique that the children might do that day. On Monday, under the "memorable moment" area, Ms Nicole wrote the following.
"Hatcher invited me to take a plane ride with him to Ashton's house. Hatcher also asked me if my Mommy and Daddy were calling me on my phone. When I told him no, he asked if it was because they were at work."
TOO DAMN CUTE! So, when he got home, I told him that I needed to take his picture to remember this day. It is sweet that he enjoys school and teachers so much, that he wants them to go on trips with us to see his cousin Ashton...who he is SUPER excited to see!