Fall Festival 2014

Almost a month ago we had our school's fall festival.  This time of year, I never get things blogged about in a timely manner.  I figured I should go ahead and share these photos even if they are a month old.  It was a fun night full of games and candy. 

Monday Morning Encouragement 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

{Monday Morning Encouragement}

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I'm currently working on a blog post to share at Unexpected Elegance about having a grateful heart.  It only seems appropriate during this time of year.  Believe it or not, these verses go along with those thoughts.  The title is "Finding Gratitude in Unexpected Places."  They are not your typical verses but I think it will all make sense when you read the entire blog post.  As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope and pray you see all of the things in your life that you have to be thankful for.

Will's Outdoor Wilderness Adventure Birthday

Will's Outdoor Wilderness Adventure Birthday

We celebrated Will turning 8 this weekend with an outdoor wilderness adventure birthday party at our land.  The kids went on a nature scavenger hunt, ate hot dogs, and made s'mores around the campfire.  We had perfect weather.  It was a little chilly but just right for this time of year.  It was so much fun that Will and his friends didn't want to leave.  The kids were so cute running around and playing outside.  Our friends and family are awesome and made it a great day!

Here's Will and his friends just before they sang happy birthday.

The boys on the nature scavenger hunt.  They are looking for acorns here.

Jordan, Ben, and Ty on the scavenger hunt.  

Food!  We borrowed the grill from Mark's brother and cooked the hot dogs on it.  We saved the campfire for s'mores at the end of the party.

Ty, Will, and Keaton eating hot dogs.  I love these three boys!  I have big plans for them.  I've already decided that they are all going to Texas A&M together where they'll be part of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2029.  (I think I got the year right!)

It wasn't just a boy party.  The girls had just as much fun exploring the woods.
Here are some of Will's sweet friends.

What a perfect evening!

Everyone loved making s'mores!  It was a sticky mess but worth it.

Will and his best friend Keaton

It got too dark to open presents at the land so we had to bring them home.  Will couldn't wait to open them.  We have such generous friends and family.  He loved everything!  Legos, a circuit maker, Monopoly, birthday money and gift cards.  What more could an 8-year-old want or need! 

Here's a closeup of the invitation.

This is a wrinkled copy of the nature scavenger hunt.  We gave each kid a paper bag with the list stapled to the front and then we turned them loose in the woods to find everything.  Will (or maybe Ben) brought this bag home and checked everything off the list.  I saw some lists on pinterest and modified it to work for our neck of the woods.

Mark and I should be a bonus for the scavenger hunt for finding poison ivy and breaking out in a rash!  Luckily we haven't heard of anyone else getting it.  It was all worth it though!

8 Years old!

 Today Will turns 8 years old!

He's the most exceptional eight-year-old that I know.

Here are some of Will's favorite things.

Favorite food: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Will's favorite drink is root beer. 

Favorite fruit: apples

Favorite veggie: peas

Favorite sport to play: Baseball

Will's favorite sports team is the Texas Rangers. 

Favorite toys: Chess board games, Legos and Rubik's cube

The best show on television according to Will is Arthur.

Will's favorite thing to learn about in school is math.

Will's favorite thing about school is seeing friends.

If Will could go anywhere in the world, he'd go to New York City because he wants to see the Statue of Liberty.

Will's favorite color is blue. 

When Will grows up he wants to be a construction worker and "make towns better".  

His current favorite song is "Maps" by Maroon 5.  

His favorite book is any Arthur chapter book. 

Favorite holiday: Christmas

Favorite animal: Dog

Will's birthday meal, if he could choose would be Chipotle.

One of Will's favorite memories of the last year was going to Disneyland California Adventure Park.  He loved riding Radiator Springs Racers.

Will really likes National Parks, Monopoly, iPad, Google maps, Chess, going to church,  spending time with his cousins in Texas and Virginia, and spending time at Mamaw and Papaw's house, 

We plan to celebrate Will's 8th birthday this weekend with an outdoor adventure-themed party.  We are going on a nature scavenger hunt at our land.  We'll have a bonfire and make s'mores.  Will has requested Dairy Queen for lunch today and we might take him to eat pizza at Grimaldi's after school.  

We're so thankful for a our sweet, smart, kind, funny and sometimes silly kid.  

Will's an awesome big brother and a wonderful son.

We love you Will!!!

Halloween 2014

Happy Halloween!

Will dressed up as Ironman 3 Iron Patriot and Ben wore a Superman costume. 

We followed tradition like every year and we went to the trick-or-treating event at our small town's downtown square.  It's called "Halloween on the Square".  The kids walk around and all of the local businesses and community organizations give out candy.  It's fun and safe.

Papaw Jerry and Mamaw Carol walked along with us as the boys got candy.

Every year we get a family photo for Halloween.  Other than Christmas, this is my favorite holiday.

Our niece Maggie and her best friend Abby dressed up like Wayne and Garth.  I thought it was hilarious!  Abby had on a black t-shirt like Wayne, but this was the coldest Halloween we've had in 10 years so she had on a hoodie over it to stay warm.  Maggie's flannel and glasses looked just like Garth.  So awesome!

Party on Wayne!

Party on Garth!

Ben's ready to save the world!

It looks like Will is taking the trick-or-treating very seriously.

One more of Will.

One more of Ben and his cute cape.

I took these photos at home before we went to Halloween on the Square.

This is a photo before school.  The boys wore their costumes to school on Friday.

Ben had two different costumes to pick from.  We bought them several costumes on sale last year at Target.  He chose Green Lantern for school since green is his favorite color.  Will stayed with Ironman 3 all day.