Pumpkins, Super Heros, and Kung Fu Andrew

This year I decided to try my hand at carving a pumpkin with something other than triangle eyes and a toothy grin. After seeing the creations that some of you have posted on line, I decided I could do it, too...how hard could it be??? HA! Well, Collin picked a relatively easy bat pattern (he calls it Batman). Andrew, of course, decided on a more challenging, Darth Vader. All in all, I think they turned out OK, but boy was my hand sore the next day. Can you get carpel tunnel from pumpkin carving?

The boys had a great time trick or treating. The wonderful warm weather made it even nicer...no hurrying from house to house to keep from freezing. I could definitely live in a warmer climate. No problem! Collin had an especially fun time this year trick or treating with his 2 neighborhood friends, Noah and Elijah. They were so cute running up to the houses and yelling "trick or treat" before anyone even came to the door!

Collin kept saying "cheese" as Mike was taking his picture....can you see his smile??

You wouldn't want to meet Kung Fu Andrew in a dark alley!

Andrew, Noah, and Collin are prepared to battle evil, fight crime,

and get some candy!

Life, Death, and Doors in Heaven

For some reason the subject of death came up at our house the other night. Andrew felt the need to inform Collin that "when you die, you don't come back to life". To which Collin replied, "I know!"

Then I added, "but you can go to Heaven".

To which Collin replied, "but you can't come back, there's not 2 doors. There's only 1!"

What's the scripture..."wide is the path, but narrow is the door????"

Look Mom, No Training Wheels!

Last week Collin decided he was going to ride a bike without training wheels. Mike had helped him a little over the summer trying to balance, but he was pretty scared, so we didn't push it. But, just like everything with Collin...when he decides it's the right time...it's the right time. He just took off down the sidewalk!! We are so proud of him. As most of you know he's had a lot of delays and this is a pretty big deal that he reached this milestone in a somewhat normal time frame. And with the warm weather he's had plenty of time to practice and now is riding like a pro. He's had a few falls, but just like Collin, it doesn't phase him a bit. He just gets up and picks up his bike and gets right back on. His perseverance is a lesson we should all learn!