{Rainbow Mountain Hike :: R & G's First Hike}

One nice thing about Madison/Huntsville is they have tons of hiking trails and greenway running paths. We decided to enjoy some great outdoors with our boys and enjoy some crisp fall air and go for a hike. It was 1.5 miles and Ryker walked the whole thing like a champ! Brady and I were both surprised that he didn't have to be carried at all. We climbed up and down the hilly path and over boulders. Climbing over the rocks was Ryker's favorite but we all really enjoyed the beautiful leaves, seeing lots of dogs, being together, sward fights {with sticks of course}, seeing moss {green fuzzy stuff as Ryker calls it} on the rocks, and finding acorns. Grayson did pretty good but had his moments of wanting to get out of the pack therefore screaming. 

Cracking open acorns.

Stick - a little boys best friend.

Ahhh the view. 

{Botanical Gardens :: Daddy's first trip}

The day before Brady took boards he decided to spend the day with us and let his brain relax. So we thought it would be fun to take him to one of our favorite places... the Botanical Gardens. We all LOVED spending the day with daddy. It was much needed for all of us!

Ryker's face is priceless playing chase with daddy.

Running, dancing, throwing, and crunching in the leaves. 

Fall is the BEST! 

This little guy adores his daddy. 

The leaves have started to turn and it is beautiful here. Ryker is very observant and is always telling me the colors he is seeing on the trees. 

Petting turtles. 

Ah.... I touch a turtle {face}!

This smile melts my heart like butter.

Playing HUGE croquet. Ryker would not let me play... it was just Ryker and Daddy teams. 

See all of the bugs on that post - they are lady bugs and Japanese beetles they were swarming EVERYWHERE while we were here. SOOOOO creepy having a dozen land on you. 

Brady and Phil. 

Uncle Si.

Hammocks are too fun with daddy.

Super fun day at the gardens with daddy. We hope this fun relaxing day together helped him relax and pass his boards. Cant wait to spend more time together as a family!

{Happy Halloween}

 Ariel, Prince Eric, Lobster, and Zombie Shark

 The trick or treating gang.... too bad the rain and wind and lack of lights on at peoples homes did not keep them interested in trick or treating for long... next year. 

 Ryker and Mrs. Janette {his teacher} 

Keegan and Ryker 

{school buddies} 

We had a fun busy Halloween/October. 

{Bootanical}

We went to Bootanical at the gardens and we were all thrilled to have another excuse to dress up. I love getting as many wears out of our costumes as we can. Ryker's shark was dirty from the Witches lunch so he "had" {he was NOT thrilled about this AT ALL} to be a knight instead. Grayson HATES costumes. I mean really dislikes them. Screams the whole time I am putting it on him and tries to pull it off the entire time. Mean mama? I can live with it... its totally worth it!

Grayson "trying" to rip his hat off.

Cutest lobster EVER! 

Ryker was being kind of a turkey and not wanting to do any of the activities they had but he did however have ME pick up a lizard and he pet it {it scared the crap out of me but I did it for him! because I am a good/brave mama for that cute boy of mine}. Neither of us dared touch the black & white snake. We will stick to turtle and butterfly touching. Much less scary. 

{Halloween Decor}

In our home we decorate for two holidays. Halloween and Christmas. And both are a BIG deal. 

 Ryker had a blast helping me and would love when he woke up in the mornings and there was something "new" that I had put up while he was asleep. 

 I think the mice are my favorite. 

Oh and the things you can do with a roll of contact paper. LOVE.  What do you think of my creaky old fence? 

 I cant wait to score some more decor on clearance after Halloween. That is the best way to stock up for the next year. 

I never thought I would put something like this on my front door BUT Ryker LOVES it. So I gave into his happiness over my aesthetics this once. 

Happy decorating for the holidays. 

{Witches Lunch :: Madison AL}

One of my favorite Halloween traditions is my Witches Lunch. A big thanks goes out to my dear friend Erin who introduced me to this fun tradition our first year in Atlanta. All the mama's come in their best witch costume and all of the kiddies in their Halloween costumes. It was so fun to have so many mamas come dressed for the party {that is hit or miss on the year/crowd}. I am in love with my Ariel wig and have been taking advantage of any excuse to wear it. 

 Most of the Witches and Kiddies.

 I was so happy that everyone brought Halloween'ish food. It always makes a themed party like this so much more fun. 

 I still don't know too many people here so this was a super fun event to host to get to know more people from church and the other preschool mama's. 

 The boys all LOVED playing with "brains" and searching for bugs in it. 

It was a little OK a LOT more stressful not having someone to really host with me but I'm glad it turned out so well and that I was able to make so many new friends. The funny part is a LOT of these women I have never met and this is how they met me.... needless to say I don't think they will recognize me the next time they see me!

Happy Halloween!