Happy Halloween

I'm really glad that I seized the opportunity to snap pics of the kids in their costumes at our church party a couple nights before Halloween.  Because instead of trick-or-treating (and picture taking) tonight, I spent the evening at the Urgent Care with Ty.  Poor guy. What a bummer to spend Halloween getting stitched up.  Ty's chin connected with concrete when falling off of his bike (minutes before I was planning to call him in to unload dishwasher) and four stitches later we were home in time to trick-or-treat only one neighbor.  The same neighbor that brought our bloodied Ty in from the street.  And the same neighbor that had a large tote full of candy for Ty guy when we arrived home.  Jaden and Reese gave up half of their candy.  And Ty's good buddy, Jake, claims (via text) that he'll be sending half of his loot too.

Here are a couple of memories from Ty's frightful evening:  First off, I'm beginning to believe that Ty really is a product of Kyle.  When Kyle gets sick/injured he turns all sweet, sentimental and super grateful.  I couldn't help but notice Ty doing the same tonight.  For example: One of Ty's first concerns while he stood in my kitchen, chin gaping open, was that he wouldn't be able to throw a football with his dad.  On the drive home (and nearly in tears as he gazed out the car window) he apologized for my having to cancel our spooky dinner plans with friends.  Afterwards I told him to choose either Jamba Juice or McDonald's for a shake or smoothie.  His reply, "whichever one is closer so you don't have to go out of your way to get me one." And when asking what size of smoothie he wanted to slurp down with a numb chin he said, "a large, so I can share it with you."  Good grief, rip my heart out.  And on top of that he was a big stud in the emergency room.  Tough as nails -- just some pretty clammy hands afterwards.  Beyond that, he got out of dishwasher duty, piano and Kumon.

Anyway here are the kids in costume a few nights earlier.

Jaden as the Goddess of Wisdom.  Quite a big Lightning Thief series fan.

Ty, looking ever so happy to be taking a pic as the Nerf specialist.  It's funny how each kid goes through their phase of abhorring picture taking.  It seems like Jaden recently rolled out of this phase just in time for Ty to take her place.  And are you liking his shaggy hair?  I'm not quite sure what we're going for here but I can't wait to get where ever it is that we are going with this!

And last but not least, Reese in her second year as cupcake.  We're hoping to make it three next year.

Such a crazy and fun museum

One of our outings while staying in St. Louis with Grandma and Grandpa Johnson this summer.  After learning that Miriam, Scott and Lexee would be visiting Mom and Bob's the kids and I decided to crash their party by driving into town too.  I have too many pictures to post all at once from this trip.  So I've decided to break it up into events.  This is the St. Louis City Museum.  I've not seen anything like this museum.  It is so eccentric and cool and not necessarily child proof.  Enter at your own risk here.  Jaden left with a pretty badly scrapped up back.  Lexee was missing for a good 20 minutes.  Matthew got stuck in a crawl space.  And had I not gotten down on all fours, winding my way through the life size underground mole whole, I'm fairly confident Reese would not be with us today.   Nonetheless, we had a heck of a time.