Carving Pumpkins

We had a pretty low key weekend. Josh had to work on Sat so we really only had Sunday to hang out. Grady really wanted to carve his pumpkin so we went to work. Pumpkin carving is harder than it looks. After they were carved, Josh cooked the pumpkin seeds.....Yum!

I think we had the hardest pumpkin of the season. Just look at that stalk! I hacked away and broke a sweat trying to cut into it.

Then Josh gave it a try...

The boys loved scooping out the "goo".

Pumpkin brains....ooooo, yuck!

Grady and his pumpkin

They would not cooperate and take a nice picture. I just got tongues and some spitting.

Myles sat for one second while a snapped a shot.

The final product. Grady did not think my first attempt was scary enough. I was instructed to add, "angry eyebrows". I also tried to make pointy teeth. In that process I cut off one of the upper teeth....can you tell??? It was still not scary enough but I gave up. Sorry G.

....and Witches for All

Judging by the title, you might think this is a Halloween post. Well, you are sorely mistaken. It's all about the Pledge of Allegiance. Grady has to say the pledge in school and loves to practice. Notice in the middle of his performance he takes an "intermission" to yell at the cat. He ends it with, "and witches for all". Just a little more practice and he will have it down.

Montreat Morning School

Can you tell G goes to a church preschool?? It's a great school and he loves it. Every once in a while he will come home with one of these songs. He's saying "trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean and know". We think he is missing a few lines.....??? Myles is trying to join in too. They both love to sing.

The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad

Today we ventured to Bryson City, NC to ride on the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad. During the month of October they put on an "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" theme. It could not have been a more perfect day. The weather was beautiful and the fall colors just starting to peek out. A great setting for a train ride.

The train ride was awesome! Definitely one of my favorite things we have done with the boys. It started at the depot with a tour through the Train Museum. Then we boarded the train for a 30 minute ride. We rode in an open air car which was wonderful. The boys loved every second of the ride. Before we knew it, the train stopped in a field that was set up as a dream come true for kids. Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Lucy were waving to us as we pulled in. There were bounce houses, hayrides, bobbing for apples, trick or treating, marshmallow roasting, a pumpkin patch and other fun activities. I even felt like a kid again. We are going to try to make it a Halloween tradition.

The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad

The boys and I in front of our train car

The depot had a great train museum. Both of the boys enjoyed the model trains.

All ABOARD!!!

The scenery was beautiful with the leaves just starting to change.

Photo shoot in the pumpkin patch.

Loving the bounce houses. There were so many things to do that they were not crowded. (Okay, in this picture it was crowded but we came back.) Even little Myles was able to jump without being thrown around.

A new twist to "bobbing for apples".

For the little ones, they had corn tables complete with diggers, dump trucks and shovels. Myles would have stayed here forever.

The boys have become such good friends lately. They are always holding hands.

Myles, putting the moves on Lucy.

This station was probably the boys least favorite. Who wants to sit and draw when you could be running around?? I think they were here long enough for me to snap the picture.

Hayride anyone???

Snoopy made an appearance.

Heading inside to do a little trick or treating.

The inside of the tent was set up as a little street. The boys knocked on each door for some candy. Just getting some practice for Halloween.

Tattoos

Each kid got to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. I think the boys chose the biggest ones there. Poor Dad had to carry them.

Riding back to the station.

Myles passed out on the way back. It was nap time, for sure!

Hickory Nut Farms

This weekend marked our 3rd annual trip to the Hickory Nut Farms pumpkin patch. We braved the cool weather in order to find the perfect pumpkin. Unfortunately, the pumpkins were not quite ready yet. I think we jumped the gun a bit on pumpkin picking, at least in the Western NC area. Most of the pumpkins were still green but we finally found one that met Grady's strict standard of approval. It was to be a "short, round" pumpkin and that's what we found.

We are going to another pumpkin patch with Grady's school later in the month. Maybe they will look a little better by then. We are all looking forward to that field trip as we missed the first field trip to an apple orchard. Our house will be filled with pumpkins by the time Halloween rolls around.

Josh and the boys in the pumpkin patch. Notice the green pumpkins??

The boys would not put down the apples to take pictures. I can't really blame them, they were great apples.

G makes a friend.

The rope swing was easier for Grady this year. Look at those skinny legs!!

Myles loved the horse too.

Cute little pigs

Grady fed the chickens some grass.

Josh's New Truck

After staying inside for three solid days, it was time to get out. Grady felt awful this week, coughing, runny nose, etc. He sat on the couch and watched "Diego" for hours on end. He was still and not talking....definitely signs that the G man wasn't himself. This morning we thought he was over it. We headed off to soccer practice as he is playing "Smart Start" soccer this fall. G had a great practice and was running all over the place with his buddies. (My camera wasn't working properly so stay tuned for pictures next week)

When soccer ended, we packed in the car and headed to Kernersville (2 hrs away) to pick up Josh's new truck. The Rover has officially died and I can't say that I shed a tear about that vehicle. Actually, if it wouldn't have blown up, I would have ran it off a cliff. If he wasn't going to sell it for parts, I would be out in the driveway throwing rocks at it. Okay, I think you can see there was no love lost for that thing.

Josh decided on a diesel Dodge Ram 2500. It should be a great work truck for him and as a bonus the kids can fit in it as well. He's pretty psyched about the new purchase.

On the way home, Grady started going downhill again. He came home and went right back to the sofa. Poor little guy! I think he needs another day of rest....Diego, here we come.