Pumpkin Carving

We recently (last Monday night) carved our pumpkins. I figure better late than never. The kids don't know we missed the deadline. They thought it was super fun!

The Last Hurrah!

I know I am so behind on blogging but life has me busy and loving every minute. A couple of posts ago, I told you that we went to North Carolina on vacation. What I didn't tell you is that those dates were picked back in April. Why so far out? Well, we have some really awesome friends and with those friends we've went to some really awesome concerts, two of which were The David Crowder Band. There is nothing I love more than worshiping with my very bestest

friends! So when Jeff found out that this was their last tour and that they would be in North Carolina he booked tickets. What a swell guy, eh?

Us in 2007 waiting for the David Crowder Concert

Us in 2011.

Here is the David Crowder concert in November of 2007. We got meet and greet passes because Holly and I went on banged on the bus and she told the sob story of how Jeff is in the military and never able to go to concerts and yada! True but so funny!

Let's give you some background on our dear friends--the Jolly's--Jeff and Holly. We have been through a lot together. Jeff's many deployments, marriage issues (on both sides), the birth of our first child, a move, changes in occupation, birthdays, holidays, teenagers and through it all our relationship has been rooted in Christ. We've never had a relationship quite like it. We have hit concerts, movies, dinners, and a military ball. We got to see Jeff retire from the military. It's been such an amazing ride. And in the summer of 2010, when we discovered we were moving, they chose to drive across country and help.Truly amazing friends!

Next, we come to the Skolozynski's-- Emily and Jeremy. Late nights of Catan, early morning coffee, late night false labors and questions! We had Panera runs and photo sesssions, sunni skies and park dates. We watched their kids turn from babies to kids. Emily and Jeremy both played in the kid's worship band with me! We were in the same Sunday school. So many awesome memories and once again a relationship rooted in Christ.

So, on Tuesday at noon, we packed up for a 3 hour drive to Charlotte to go to a concert. There were laughs and loud singing. Sore backs (after four hours of standing) and lifted spirits (after 4 hours of worship). One of the highlights had to be when the Cellist for Gungor broke out beat boxing! It was A-MAZ-ING! That and I have to say the bluegrass section of David Crowder's set. Go Tell it on the Mountain is my absolute favorite. I begged Bob to do it every Christmas. (Yep, Pastor Ken, that was me!) The whole night was so great!

The Jolly Bautumns! Back together again!

Holly, Emily and I. Can you believe Emily is 30 weeks pregnant here? Yeah me either.

Me and Em!

Bob and Jeremy

I know this post told you next to nothing about the concert. Oops!

Mad Science!

Last week, we returned from North Carolina to discover two boxes had arrived from Discovery Toys. I had a party a few weeks back. When I opened them I was thrilled to see PACKING

PEANUTS! WOOHOO! While perusing pinterest, I came across a blog where I woman did a couple science experiments and a bit of art using them not to mention they become an amazing sensory experience.

We drug them out this morning during Dawson's nap to try it out. I started by talking to Ollie about hypothesis. He was already familiar with that word since Buddy from Dinosaur train says it at least once every episode. I asked him to create a hypothesis about what the packing peanuts would do in water. Here is what I wrote on the white board:

Hypothesis: I think the packing peanuts will stay dry in water.

Then we started putting them into the water.

Then we stirred them up.

And we touched them.

And we discovered that they do not stay dry, they dissolve!

Even Bullseye and Woody had fun!

A Plane!

We just got back from a wonderful trip to North Carolina. For those of you who don't know, we just moved to Iowa from North Carolina about a year and a half ago after living there for 7 years. We were a bit homesick for our old friends so we planned this trip. There is so much to tell you about so I think I will have to do a few posts.

Ollie was super excited to ride on the plane. And as excited as we were, we were a bit

apprehensive to take two small children on a plane especially one that took off at 6 am! Dawson was up at 4 and Ollie at 4:30 to make it to the airport. They were so excited that neither of them fell back asleep! I think Ollie asked for 10 granola bars. Anyway, the boys played beautifully together and they both did great. We had a connection in Atlanta.

When we reached Atlanta, we refueled with some coffee and a really expensive fruit cup for the boys. My goodness! Highway robbery! We loaded our next plane and heard those dreaded words: We are experiencing some technical difficulties. A mechanic is on his way over to assess the problem. Oh my goodness! You've

got to be kidding me! Two small children. Trapped. On a plane. AHHHHHH. But wait, what's this? We can get up and go out to the jetway if we like. Sure!

So me and the boys trudged to the front and were snagged by the amazing stewardess who let

them into the cockpit. How awesome is that?! After a couple of photos, we headed to the jetway where the pilot raced them. The crew on this flight were amazing. I couldn't believe it. We were

given snacks and water and fun. The flight only ended up about 30 minutes delayed and we were on our way. The flight attendants called Ollie a pirate because that's what it sounded like when he said pilot. They lovingly brought extra snacks and drinks for them. I was so pleased with Delta. I have every intention of sending an email. I should probably do that!

New tricks for My Littlest Love

Dawson is growing and changing so much each day. We have been having the best time with him! I took him to his one year appointment. He is now 31.3 inches long (83%), 25lb 9oz (81%) and his head is 47cm (63%). I don't believe the head for a minute. I think she measured wrong. The kid has a massive cranium! Here they are passing time with our paper rocks and tractors!

Recently, he learned to stack blocks. He is very determined. I love it. He will get two stacked and them go for a third and often accidentally knock them down. He usually says "boom!"

His other new trick is kicking a ball. He loves balls as most of you know so kicking them is extra fun. He loves it!

Oh and here he is eating his first s'more. Yum! Gotta love that little dirty face!

A Little Alone Time

with Dawson! Last night, Ollie went to stay overnight with Nana. I always miss him when he leaves to spend time with her but it is really nice to give Dawson some individual attention. Ollie had 25 months of just me. Dawson had 0. So, this morning, I decided that we would have a little fun.

Typically, Dawson and I build towers and knock them down, read books, play "gotcha" or take rides in the laundry basket, but last night I was looking back at old blog posts and saw some

activities that I had done with Ollie. When I did these the first time, I did them on separate occasions but you live and you learn! So we did them back to back!

I created some baby safe paint by mixing water and flour. I added food coloring which Dawson thought was fascinating. I gave him a large sheet of paper and he painted it, my floor and himself to his heart's content. he licked and smelled it and overall just had a great time!

When he seemed to become bored with that, I filled the sink with water and bubbles and threw some bubbles on the floor. He grabbed them and laughed. He threw them and yes tried to eat them. Then, he slid back over to the paint and had more fun with that. We had a great time! When he became bored, it was off to the tub!

We had such a great time together. It is fun to just focus on him a little bit!

Oh darn! They used up my yarn.

Yarn. When you think of it, I am sure you think, "oh. My kids love yarn. It is their favorite toy."What? You don't? Yeah. Me either. Before last week. I left a skein of yarn lying on the desk in the living room. It was there from making our leaf collection. Ollie pulled on the strand hanging from the skein and he just kept pulling and pulling. I had to resist my desire to say, "Stop Ollie! You are wasting it." Wasting what? A $2 skein of yarn that is here for craft projects. Come on Autumn! Live a little. So I let him pull.

He pulled and he pulled. He never got tired of it. He pulled and he walked. He walked through the kitchen. Through the hall bath. Through the hall,

and back into the living room. And Dawson followed him and pulled too. Before I knew it, they had walked around the house three times. Dawson tugged and laughed. Ollie shouted, "Look mom!"

And then Ollie got out his scissors. (Sigh) Just let it go Autumn. It'll be ok. Just because you didn't plan to be messy, doesn't mean you can't be. So, Ollie cut. Fine motor skill development, right? Ollie cut and Dawson threw

it. And Ollie cut and cut. And soon it was in piles all over the house. So, what does a good mama do at this point? Well, she grabs some pans and utensils. She throws in the yarn and her kids cook noodles.

They laughed and they played. They stirred and whisked and they threw noodles. They were enthralled with yarn for an HOUR.

We have kept this marvelous stuff called yarn. It is in the playroom. I have been attacked by jellyfish, fed noodles and hissed at by snakes. Yarn. Who'da thunk?