THERE'S A STORM A COM'N

Remember awhile back and I won that radio contest for an overnight stay in Canada? Well, Jeff and I cashed in this weekend and went. We brought our friends Mike and Trish with us to stay overnight at the Holiday Inn Burlington. This was our first night away from the baby, but I was prepared. I had a 2 page spreadsheet of schedules, menus, and misc. tips for Uma and Upa. But, I knew spreadsheets or not, the boys were in good hands. We had a marvelous time, it was the first time in 2 years I was able to let loose and have more than one glass of wine and not worry about breastfeeding, and hopefully get more than 3 consecutive hours of sleep. And boy did I! After jumping around to several different places for drinks and food, we found ourselves back at the hotel and asleep by midnight. And I did not even stir until 7am! Can you believe it? But then guilt sunk in, I was sure that Carter was giving the grandparents a hard time. Boy was I wrong!!! I called promptly at 8:00am to get the report, and Upa told me that Carter also slept 7 hours. WHAT! (side note: he has not repeated this for us since that night) Both of the boys were great. What a relief to Jeff and I, especially because we are going out of town again in November for another overnight stay in wine country. 

Unfortunately I forgot my camera this weekend, but I do have some new ones of the kids. We had a fantastic storm the other night.

So what do Tucker and I do? We go play with big sticks in the middle of the storm and take pictures.

Than we came inside for a friendly game of Life. Can you see how happy Carter is in the background?

Here is one of Carter waiting for Tucker's bus to come, and eating yummy cinnamon apples.

Like Amanda, I am having tons of issues uploading pictures along with many other problems. However, check back this weekend for pumpkin carving and trick or treating.

THE BEST DARN FAMILY REUNION TO DATE

Last weekend we attended the "Becker" Family Reunion. Becker is my FIL's mother's side. They are a great group of people. Very relaxed and friendly. It was at a beautiful park about 45 minutes from us, and fall is in full effect. The leaves were absolutely breath taking. 

Our little Poppy has really come a long way since she has joined our family. She is so much more independent and likes meeting new people. She has this smile that just lights up a room. And (I don't have a pic of her), but Amelia started walking recently and she is so adorable. She walks with her hands up in guarded position, and determination on her face.

Our three adventurers lifting up the leaves with their sticks. They are looking for creatures.

Tucker, Henry, and Sidney

Daddy and Carter on our little forest hike.

Mommy and Carter

One of the rare times we can both be in a picture with one of the kids.

This little hill, was a few yards away from a very steep embankment leading down to a creek. This place was absolutely beautiful.

The Marrano Family (minus Lola, who was running around in the woods)

Our happy family

The whole Morris brood.

6 Grandkids all in one picture...we are good!

The boys took a break to eat popcorn and sit in the back of Uncle Scott's van to listen to the Bills game.

It was a fantastic time. So scenic and so relaxing. We had fried chicken, taco dip, caramel/chocolate dipped apples (thanks Amanda), Texas sheet cake, and so much more. We were stuffed and tired by the end of the day. I cant wait to see were it is next year. This one was hard to top.

BROWN'S PUMPKIN PATCH AND ALONG CAME WILLOW

Last Saturday we went on our annual trip to Brown's Berry Patch. It was the weekend of their Harvest Festival. There was live music and a craft show along with all of their normal fall festivities. It is always so much fun going there. They have over a hundred scarecrows dressed like famous characters like Shrek, Harry Potter, and fairytale creatures. They have a giant air pillow the size of a small field that kids and parents can jump on. Goats that live on a roof, and more corn mazes than you can possibly imagine. And did I mention apple picking, raspberry picking, pumpkin picking, scarecrow making, apple launching, hayrides, horse riding, sand pits, and much much more. (Can you tell this is my favorite place to go?) Here are our pics from the day. We had so much fun...

You buy goat food, put it in the can, then use the pulley to send it up to the goats.

This one was anxiously waiting for Tucker to send up his food. Look at him eating. How cool!

In one of the corn mazes you had to find five stations and dip your finger into that station's color. At the end of the maze, you match your fingers up to a sign and you get your fortune. Tucker's fortune said that he had a great imagination. Boy, were they right!

Tucker won that race! Daddy was just a wee bit big.

Tucker loved his horse "Midnight".

Carter just wanted the apples.

And Daddy just wanted the raspberries.

I think that the apple launch was Tucker's favorite. What a boy!

And then there was Willow...

Willow was Tucker's best friend last year in school. This year she has moved on to kindergarten. Her dad called us up the day before and wanted to get the kids together. So Monday Willow came over to play. They had a great time running around the back yard. They are truly kindred spirits. When I asked what they wanted for lunch, Willow said she just wanted peanut butter on her sandwich, and Tucker said that he just wanted jelly. Talk about Jack Sprat! AND...they both picked out the same costume at the Halloween store. They are so cute together.

A WALK TO REMEMBER 2008

There are so many things to blog about that happened this weekend, it will take me several postings just to cover it. But the most important thing that we did this weekend wins the spot for the first posting. 

This Sunday was our 3rd Walk to Remember. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. This hits close to home as we remember our lost angel twins Parker Bryant Morris and Grace Lee Morris. The Walk to Remember is a memorial walk with proceeds benefiting the WNY Perinatal Bereavement Network. This was the first year that we collected pledges for the walk. I want to thank all of our friends and family for their love and support. Also, thanks to the Town of Tonawanda Water Dept. and Progressive Insurance for their support as well. 

The day started off with a lovely program with information on loss, stories and poems read by families, and beautiful music shared.  Then we moved on to the tree dedication. A Bradford Pear Tree was planted in honor of all the lost angels with notes from us to our babies planted with the roots. Balloons and butterflies were then released.

Then the walk began as we followed the memorial banner through the park. Following a path lined with signs of all of the babies that grew wings. It is a sight that would take your breath away. Who knew that there would be that many signs. It is so sad, but nice to know that you are not alone. After the walk, a picnic lunch was provided for all of the families to sit and enjoy. We had a wonderful time honoring our babies.

This year's tree of dedication.

Notes to our babies

Carter sat still long enough to look at his brother and sister's sign.

Tucker caught a ride with Upa

This is the banner that headed up the walk.

All of the butterflies had babies names on them. 

Parker and Grace's is the green on in the middle.

We really enjoyed the walk this year. Next to come in future posts: Brown's Berry Patch, a football game, and Willow's visit.

THE NEWEST OLD TOY!

Carter is either the luckiest or the not-so-luckiest kid in the world. He gets to reap the benefits of having an older brother who was spoiled rotten when he was a baby. Tucker had so many toys that are now being handed down to the C-Man. On the other hand he is not getting any brand new toys. But as of right now, he could care less. This is the newest old toy that we have revived from the front porch. He absolutely loves it.

AAAWWW! Yes, he is standing. Can you believe it?
This is a picture of Tucker when he was Carter's size playing with the same toy.Could they be any cuter? Here is the Carter-Man in action!