Halloween Fun

This Halloween, I swear we have been celebrating for weeks. Unlike last year, Connor seems to really get what Halloween is all about...candy!!! Lucky for me, Connor has let me embrace what I believe Halloween is all about...dressing my son in the cutest costume I can find and taking lots and lots of pictures of him. As you'll see below, I did just that.

Our first photo op opportunity was at a local church Halloween fair. They had what they called "trunk or treating" where they had games, activities, or just candy handouts.

They also had a bounce house, which amazingly Connor really liked. At our school's fall carnival they had a bounce house and it was the first time he really liked them and now he can't seem to get enough. As a Mom, that's fine by me, because it's a good way to tire them out and to see him bounce, laugh, and fall down is adorable.

The church fair also had a little pumpkin patch, where we took some pictures. We couldn't dress him in his costume, because it was about 85 degrees and the poor boy would have melted. He did sport his spooky spider shirt though.

Our next photo op was at a bigger pumpkin patch and even though it was still warm, it was cloudy, so Connor didn't totally melt in his adorable elephant costume. Lucky for us, he still tolerated the snuggly costume, head piece and all. I chose an elephant this year, because his favorite stuffed animal is an elephant and he can make an elephant noise too. Plus, I figured this might be the last year I could dress him in a silly and cutesy costume. Next year, he'll probably request to be Buzz Lightyear or something. I guess that's why it's a good thing we're having another baby. More cute costumes are in store. Yay!

Connor also got to wear his Halloween costume to school last week and they even trick or treated around the church. When I picked him up, his teacher told me that he was a school favorite. Of course I wasn't surprised. He looked darn cute.

Finally, Halloween actually came and Connor couldn't wait. He asked about it all day and I kept telling him he had to wait until Daddy got home. He kept talking about lollipops. He is really into lollipops these days. We had a lot of fun. We went out from about 6:30 to 7:30 and after one hour, Connor was pretty pooped. He livened right up though, when he started into his treat bag. Mom and Dad even had a few. It was funny, because Jeff had a lollipop and when Connor was finished with his he took Jeff's right out of his mouth and ate his. It was too funny to tell him to stop. Now we've got to wean him off this candy addiction. Oh no.

Enjoy our Halloween festivities.

At the church fair, Connor goes "Trunk or Treating."

Enjoying the bounce house.

Bouncing is a blast.

Connor took a seat on a pumpkin and of course I had to take some pictures.

That's a happy pumpkin patcher.

I love Halloween.

Can I take this one home?

Now he did some posing on the hay.

Mom and Dad got in the Halloween spirit too, by attending a Halloween costume party.

Here is Connor posing at the bigger pumpkin patch with his elephant costume. He really didn't mind wearing it. That made me very happy.

Is he the cutest elephant ever or what?

We found a gray pumpkin to match his costume.

The costume even came complete with a tail. He even looked cute from behind.

We took a really bumpy hay ride. Connor liked it though. We took his hat off too, because it was still nearly 80 degrees. Halloween costume makers don't consider Texas temps when they are making costumes. I'd rather these temps though, than those poor New Yorkers who already got snow. Brrr.

Connor was fascinated by the inflated decoration that he said was "dancing."

Posing in his costume with his classmate Jackson, the tiger.

A happy elephant in class with classmates and one of his teachers, Ms. Jan.

Finally, Halloween arrived and Connor was ready. He seriously had a death grip on his candy bucket. He carried it all night.

We left a little before dark, so I got a few shots of us heading out to trick or treat. He was a little timid at first, but he got into it in no time. It was so cute to hear him say "trick or treat" and then "thank you."

We met up with some of our neighbors and they were quite a festive group. The older kids were really into it, but Connor made his way to the candy handout every time.

Here's the group on to the next house.

Our neighborhood had some good decorations, but this house is by far the best. It's totally decked out and spooky with sound effects and everything. Connor was a little scared, but we held his hand and he made his way through the scary stuff, up to the door.

He did get scared of a few costumes he saw though. I guess Jeff walked him up to the door on one occasion and he saw this zombie and Connor made Jeff hold him and Jeff said he was almost shaking. Poor guy. In his defense, it was a very lifelike costume.

Back at home, Connor enjoyed the spoils of trick or treating...candy. Hurray! "Can we do this again tomorrow night?"

Our Fall Visit to Amarillo

A few weeks ago we visited Gigi and Pagger Don in Amarillo. It was a fun filled weekend and the weather started out a little windy, but ended up being just perfect. We ate out a couple of times and Connor was a trooper.

Also, we were given one of the best gifts in the world...a morning off duty. Pagger Don and Gigi got up with Connor Saturday morning and took him all morning. They started at a donut shop and then went to the Amarillo Discovery Center, which has a lot of hands on activities for kids. Connor had a blast. Jeff and I met them for lunch and he was still beaming.

Jeff and his Dad got to golf a few times and Connor got to come along once too. He still loves golf.

Connor got to sleep in a big boy bed at Gigi and Pagger Don's house and he did great. We made a bit of a barrier around the borders of the bed and although he did fall out the very first night, he recovered, went right back to sleep and then slept awesome the rest of the time.

As I said, we went out to eat with Connor quite a few times and on at least two occasions the restaurants were pretty upscale. We went to a steak place and despite a few trips with Pagger Don to watch baseball in the bar, he did great. We also went to a very nice brunch at the Amarillo Club and even though Connor was being very picky about his food choices (he pretty much only liked the desserts) he rallied by playing with his magnadoodle for nearly 20 minutes.

Our time in Amarillo flew by and we look forward to seeing Gigi and Pagger Don again during the Holidays. They will be here before we know it.

Gigi and Pagger Don bought Connor a Plasma Car, which is this really cool toy you can ride on and somehow it moves itself by twisting the steering wheel back and forth. It's Connor's toy, but we all got to try it out. It's really fun. Here is Jeff giving it a go.

Now it's my turn.

Here goes Gigi.

On Friday morning, Connor and Pagger Don walked out onto the golf course to explore.

When you're a little boy, climbing big hills is very fun and lucky for Mom and Dad, very tiring.

Now Connor finally gets a turn on his toy. He liked it!

Off to golf with Daddy and Pagger Don. He's pulling his golf bag like a big boy.

Riding in Pagger Don's very own golf cart. They look ready to go.

On the t-box and ready to swing for the green. Apparently they let Connor complete one full hole and although he probably swung more times than he made contact with the ball, he didn't give up and knocked the ball in the hole. All his hard work paid off.

After a morning with Gigi and Pagger Don, Connor was clearly in good spirits. We had to document it with an impromptu photo shoot.

What a charmer.

I'm silly.

So funny.

What a cutie.

Smile for the camera.

Big smiles.

It was chilly in Amarillo in the mornings and evenings, so Connor got to sport his really cool tracksuit.

Connor still loves a good game of catch. Who ever said it's not a good idea to play ball in the house.

This last photo isn't from Amarillo, but it relates to Gigi and Pagger Don. A few years ago, they gave us a piggy bank in the shape of a football. They told us to add a quarter for each time our football teams win a game. Here is Connor adding quarters for our wins so far this season. It was certainly a good activity for a busy toddler. It was hard work, but when he got them in, it was very satisfying.

Just Some Fun Pics of Connor

I realized I had a few cute pictures of Connor in my camera, so I figured I should post them so you could all see them. Enjoy!

Connor showing off his puppy ears he made at school.

We took some pictures of Connor after bath time. He is usually very smiley after his bath. Here he is snuggling in his towel.

I am a silly guy.

Happy Connor.

Snuggling in my towel is funny.

Daddy tickles.

I like how you can see his puppy tail on his towel in this one.

Uh oh, naked boy. Get a diaper on that kid quick.

Connor getting messy with spaghetti.

Announcing Baby #2

Well, I know it's no excuse, but part of the reason I've been neglecting the blog lately is that WE'RE PREGNANT. We're due April 12, 2012, but it will probably be closer to the 5th of April since I'll be having a scheduled c-section.

I am currently 15 weeks and feeling great, however the first trimester was a little rough. I was nauseous and tired and had headaches too. Keeping up with Connor was all I could do. Man, it was a lot harder this time feeling bad and chasing a rambunctious 2 year old. I guess it's a sign of things to come.

Jeff and I are really excited and Connor doesn't have a clue. I keep telling people that I don't think Connor is going to get it until the baby arrives and then doesn't leave. He'll think, "Hey, having a baby around for a few days was fun, but um, when are we sending this baby back to it's real home?" I'm sure there will be plenty of adjustments, but I am confident it will all work out.

Here is one of the first pictures of baby Treadway that I got in my first trimester screen at 12 weeks. It was fun to see the baby move around. He or she even crossed his legs at one point. It was cute.

Speaking of he or she, Jeff and I plan to make finding out the gender a surprise again. I hope it doesn't disappoint too many of our fans. Hee hee. At first I thought this time I'd want to know, because I'd be so anxious for a girl, but after having a boy and knowing how much I love it, I really would be happy with either. Plus, as a second time Mom, simplicity is key and I already have a lot of boy stuff including clothes that should fit pretty well since the babies will only be 2 months apart as far as what month they were born. Connor will be almost 3 at the time of Baby #2's birth.

I'll keep you posted as more things develop.