Fall Into Season...Happy Halloween!

So what's Fall without PUMPKINS!!!  It's a family tradition to visit the local church's pumpkin patch (along with the rest of the town). So about a week ago we met up with some fine pumpkins and had a blast.  The kids love picking out just the right batch...each one unique in its own way.

 This year James tried to grab the biggest pumpkin he could pick up. Every time I turned around he was stumbling down the walkway carrying a pumpkin that probably weighed more than he did.

 "James! I think that one is a bit too big for you...

 Ahhh, yes! That's more like it!"

 Sydney looked for the ripest pumpkin...good for the pickin'!  "Hmmmm, does this one sound ripe enough?"

 And Ashlee looked for the perfect round one. "This is it, Mom!"

The church had a little portrait seating area where parents were taking advantage of photo opportunities...me included!  "Say Cheese!"

The pumpkins stacked up nicely next to our addition to our Fall family this year...our homemade scarecrow!

Halloween was a blast this year too.

Who is this jailbird? And what is she doing out in the night wandering around?  She looks innocent, but probably up to no good!

We better call a Policewoman to come save the day!

We got her now!

What?! Wait a minute!!!! She is breaking free!!! Ahhhh, catch her!!!!

 HAHAHA!  Ashlee and Tori had a blast reenacting their costume duo for all that came to watch.

Sydney was our very own Camp Halfblood's, Annabeth!  If you read any of the Percy Jackson series you would find that Annabeth is his sidekick that helps him save the day.

And we can't forget our very own...Spiderman SLASH Superman!!!  Yes, we got not only one but TWO Superheroes for Halloween...priceless!

And we can't forget our token black cat.  Note the two glowing eyes next to Sydney's left leg.  Tate didn't miss out on his guest appearance on Halloween night.

Time to trick or treat!!! 

Keep your eyes on the prize.

Over 100 trick or treater's visited this Halloween night. Cars and people covering the neighborhood. Neighbors hanging outside visiting together and nice cool Fall air. So much fun!  It was over before we knew it!!!

The Superhero House!

Well summer is over and fall is definitely underway, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to blog about the Superhero Party we had for James' 4th birthday.  Since his birthday falls during the first week back to school, I knew I had to plan it way in advance if this teacher was going to be able to do anything at all.

So about a month before hand, James told me he wanted a "Superhero" party which got me thinking. Wouldn't it be fun to have superhero capes?  Wouldn't it be fun to have a Batcave? Wouldn't it be fun to...???  And that's where it all started.

When James' friends arrived, they each received their very own Superhero Cape, Superhero Energy Fuel (bottle of water ;) and Superhero Energy Snack to get them ready for the Superhero Academy.

First stop of the Superhero Academy was the BATCAVE (James' room) where they had to find all the Kryptonite (glow sticks) to save Superman!

Next, they lined up to go outside...

to walk across the HOT LAVA PIT which my dear husband placed dry ice in and plywood on top.

Once each Superhero made it across they were able to go LEAP TALL BUILDINGS IN A SINGLE BOUND!

James' friend, Stone, (aka Superman) was ready for the action!

The Superheroes then took turns showing off their MIGHTY MUSCLES by lifting balls of steel!

 

James, especially trying to impress this sweet superhero friend, London.

The Superhero Academy ended with VAPORIZE THE VILLAIN!!! A huge silly string fight!

 The posters on the back fence were of the Joker, Cat Woman, the Penguin and other evil villains but what could be more fun than attacking each other. Cousin Aidan understood!

Once all the Superheroes accomplished the Superhero Academy it was time to come in to refuel.

My girlfriend, Melissa, has a love and true talent for making cakes.  They not only look fabulous but taste amazing! She made this Bat City for James and it was the talk of the party!

 James was soooo happy and proud of his cake! Thanks Melissa!!!

After the cake, James was ready to open his presents. He received so many wonderful gifts, including trucks, remote control cars, balls, transformers and superhero action figures. One of the most sentimental gifts came from Grandpa and Mimi Powell...

 a fishing pole and line, handmade by Grandpa Powell himself.

 

Another sentimental gift came from Grandpa and Gma Hoenerhoff, a monster truck quilt with matching truck pillow case. It was made with love by Gma.

And another highlight of the gifts... HUH?! ...balls with bells in the middle?

 ...big bag of kitty litter?

 ...what could be in this box?

 My very own KITTEN!!!

 

Meet our new kitten, Pumpkin.  She is the gift that keeps on giving!  Thanks Aunt Jojo and Uncle Chris!

Round Up!

A couple of weeks ago Ashlee, Sydney, James and I volunteered for Vacation Bible School at our church.  If you have ever been to Second Baptist's VBS before, you know what a huge production it is.  They go all out reaching 1,000's of kids with the gospel of Christ. At our South campus we had over 1,200 children and volunteers that attended for the week. 

This year's theme was Round Up!  We transformed the church into a Rodeo Town.  We had a bank, jail, barn, animals, even a town store.  For a couple of weeks before hand, we volunteers spent many hours designing, painting, cutting, and assembling it all. Check out the bank sign...yes, that's my creative artwork. Ha!

Now volunteering isn't just all about the decorations. Ashlee was able to serve in a different way. She is a member of the GIGL (Growing In God's Love) dance team.  The GIGL dance team makes learning about Jesus fun for the children through dancing and singing. James loves to watch his big sis on stage and feels so loved when she comes down to the audience to dance with him.

They had many practices and dress rehearsals leading up to VBS to learn the choreography. The members have all become really good friends. And they love, love, love! their leader Mrs. Brigette.  She is a beautiful lady inside and out and we are blessed that God put her in our lives. She is such a sweet, positive influence for Ashlee.

Then there is the big show. This is a play put on by volunteers and staff members. Every day they would perform the next piece or act.  The plot this year involved Miss Georgia Peach, the school teacher, was kidnapped by the bad Renegades and tied to the train tracks.  The good Sheriff had to rescue her before the train came.  In the end, with God's help the Sheriff is able to save the day and the Renegades change their hearts and become Christians.

Meanwhile Sydney and I were apart of VBX. VBX is VBS on steroids. Ha! No really...while VBS is about Jesus, little kids, decorating the rooms, singing, dancing and the big show. VBX is about Jesus, big kids, decorating the kids, team spirit, recreation games, singing and dancing. 

I volunteered as a team leader. My team was the "Yellow Clue" team.  Each team was a color and a board game name.  Sydney's team was the "Orange Twister." Throughout the morning the teams would break into small groups where we as team leaders would reinforce the lesson of the day in the smaller environment.

Every day was a chance to win the spirit stick. High energy, team chants, color and lot's of screaming earned you this stick. My team won it the first day...we decorated it all up in yellow and carried it around proudly all day. 

 

But that wasn't the only part to VBX.  Every morning after we decorated ourselves up and checked in we went for worship. The kids sang, praised God and had a blast playing silly games like eating baby food or throwing a pie in their leader's face.

Then we would get serious and here God's powerful message through our Youth Pastor Terry. Each day he taught about the fruit of the Spirit. The kids love Pastor Terry and God works miracles through him because on the last day, several of these kids turned their life over to Christ. The following Sunday, a total of 23 children were baptized during our church service.

And let's not forget the little tots. All of the Baughman cousins came to VBS including Ava, Andrew, Aidan, Megan, Katherine,  and Berkley. Mimi Pat, Alyssa, and Shelby came to help volunteer in the classrooms.

Here the kids are watching the big show after their time learning about the fruits of the Spirit in their classrooms.