Sneak Peek...

You've seen Logan's cute friendly spider costume...

now here is Bennett's adorable owl costume (made by Nana!)...

Hopefully both of the boys will wear their costumes tonight!  We'll see...

Getting ready...

We've been having fun getting ready for Halloween around here.  As a three year old, Logan is pretty excited to dress up!

We had to convince Logan to dig in the pumpkin with his bare hand

and when he finally did...he didn't like it very much!

The boys really loved digging in the pumpkins with spoons!

We decorated cookies one afternoon...but mostly just ate sprinkles.  :)

Nana has been coming over one day a week to spend time with us!

Bennett loves to have fun!

Preschool Costume Party

Logan couldn't wait for his costume party at preschool!  It was so much fun to see all the kids dressed up.  Most of them were pretty tolerant of their costumes and excited to be there.  Logan was especially excited, as you will see in the photos!  Parents were invited into the classroom for photos and even John was able to meet up there for a quick look.  Nana was watching Bennett at home.

Logan greeted his friend, Isaac (aka: Scooby Doo)!

Big spider hugs for Daddy!

Sitting with friends.  Logan was sure to tell everyone, "I'm a friendly spider".  He wasn't coached by us to use the "friendly" adjective, but I think its pretty cute that he's added that on his own.

Logan right in the center...demonstrating his excitement!

The whole class!

Field Trip!

Both John and I have been on field trips with Logan this month!  What fun!  The kids have visited a pumpkin patch and a nature center.  Logan really loves preschool and it was fun for us to be along for the ride and see the kids in action.  Logan told me he loves field trips in the Swagger Wagon!  Actually, his teacher rode along with us last time and it was funny for Logan to try to describe the "Swagger Wagon".   Never a dull moment around here...

Logan and I bundled up before field trip #2!

Wedding at Grandview

On October 9th, we celebrate our friend, Jenna's, wedding at Grandview Resort in Brainerd, MN.  Jenna was Amy's college roommate and a Young Life leader with us while we were living in Minneapolis.  The weekend was the most amazing weather: 90 and sunny in October!  It was a beautiful weekend to be in Northern Minnesota!

We spent some time playing and running around outside, enjoying the weather before we had to have lunch, naps, and get ready for the wedding.

After naptime, Logan got to visit The Chocolate Ox for a treat.  This candy store was pretty amazing - all the nostalgic candy you could dream of!  We offered Logan any special treat he wanted.  

He chose a Tootsie-Pop.  Pricetag: $0.25.  Big spender.

The setting for the wedding was so beautiful.

Logan drew this awesome car while we waited for the wedding to begin.  I thought it was worth documenting.

And it was quite convienient with the kiddos.  John took them to the big lawn next to the rows of chairs so they could run around during the ceremony.

We sat at a table with out kids, my parents, and another family of four (their third child - just a baby was at home).  Logan had a blast with their little girls!  

What a lovely day!  Congrats to Jenna and Dan!

12 hours

This is what hair looks like after 12 (yes, TWELVE!) great hours of sleep in your own bed.

And, yes: Bennett always stuffs his mouth this full...

Loco in Mexico

Logan and Bennett are two lucky boys!  They traveled with me, Auntie Amy, Papa and Nana to San Jose del Cabo last week!  A week of fun in the Mexican sun was a great break from the routine for all of us!  We are all so grateful for a fabulous, relaxing week.  I am thankful for all the help from Amy and my parents - making it really feel like a vacation for me, too.

All in all, the trip went smooth.  The boys were good travelers.  The weather was perfect every day.  We slept and ate well.  But, we did miss Daddy.  Its nice to know he'll be along next time we cross the border.

Here are some photos and highlights from our great trip!

The arrival is just breathtaking.  This was my favorite view.  I kept thinking that if John and I were on a trip alone, we would sit on the chairs on this island.  Maybe someday...

Building a sandcastle on the beach.  Logan's goal was to "build a sandcastle with a moat with Papa".  The sandcastle was great, but the water for the moat just kept soaking into the ground.  Luckily, Logan was ok with the fact that water wasn't staying in the moat.

This boy was fearless in the water!

And has the wrinkly feet to prove it!  Most days, we spent all day in the water.

Amy took special time each day to swim with Logan.

He loved floating, swimming, kicking, and jumping with Amy in the pool!

Bennett in his little floater.

Logan and Nana hanging out in the shallow water.

Bennett napped on one of the cabana beds every day - in the buff.  I have considered bringing this tradition home...he sure did nap well.

The boys bathed in the super big tub each night with lots of bubbles and it was FUN!

Logan really loved learning all about new things: palm trees, the beach, cacti, etc.  "Thumbs up" for this little Logan-sized palm tree!

P & N with the boys.

Mommy and the boys.  Bennett was pretty pooped out already...

Logan and Amy together at dinner.

Here's Bennett ready for another day at the pool!  I stopped in to do a load of laundry before heading out to our spot.  He looked so cute in the stroller, as always.

Logan skipped his nap a couple days and this is what happened....rarrrrrr.

Playing in the pool...

with Papa and Nana is the best!

Mommy and Logan floating.

Logan giving Mommy a ride on the tube.

View from our condo.

The boys found this special shelf in the pantry...just their size.

I was lucky to get some time enjoying the sun and a book - thanks to all the help from Amy and my parents!  Woohoo!

One last visit to the beach!

Before we left the resort.

THANKS!  What a wonderful week!