Trick or Treat

Josh's office had trick-or-treating for the kids last Friday. We thought it would be fun to take Baby Joe to say hi to all of his co workers. When we started looking for a costume there were three criteria: it had to be cool enough for warm weather because here in Texas it's warm through the middle of October, it had to be reasonably priced since he would be wearing it for two hours and not much more than that, and it had to be super cute!! Of course!

We were really going for a sweet fuzzy puppy but just couldn't find one that did the trick. Then I came across this cute teddy bear romper. It was so softie and made Joseph so cuddly to hold!

He wouldn't touch the hat - which looked like a bear head, so everyone kept asking what he was. But those cute little bear paws filled the void in my heart so it didn't matter! He's our little JoeyBear...

Would You Like a Tall Glass of Virus With That Cookie?

My gal pals came over and we decided to make cookies. They were all delicious! Kelly made a ginger-butterscotch-cinnamon-cookie concoction, Alicia made pumpkin cookies, and Jennifer made snickerdoodles. I actually never got around to making mine. I was going to make snickerdoodles also but after getting everyone settled in and comforting Joseph - since all these people were in "his" house - I never got around to it! That's ok...because Jennifer ended up leaving me and Josh all of hers so I got the sweets without the work! Ha!

But the bad news is...cookies weren't the only little treat that we shared. Everyone ended up getting a nasty stomach virus. All three moms, Jen, the three babies, and two husbands...it wasn't pretty. Luckily Josh and I made it through my 10 year high school reunion and got back home before it got too nasty (last Saturday). But I had to miss out on brunch with my high school BFFs on Sunday and that was a SUPER bummer. I miss those gals.

The reunion was good, but in a same-ol-high-school-peeps kind of way. My theory is that I already stay in touch with the people I want to see. But still it was kinda cool to see how everyone changed. Or didn't change, as the case may be. Joseph stayed with Gigi that night and did awesome! Even for bed time. She said it was so sweet to be able to cuddle him off to sleep and snuggle together. That's the sweetness we get to enjoy every night and I wouldn't change it for the world.


Carmen and Joseph wandered down the hall and found a little fun of their own while we made cookies in the kitchen. What a couple of cheerio nuts!

They were being nice to each other and quiet so we decided to leave them be and let them eat up their little mess. Those guys are funny! So, it was good times and my house only got up to 110 degrees with the oven running for three hours straight. And those cookies were soooo good! Yummo to fall baking! :)

Pumpkins and Mums and Hay...Oh My!

A Few Midday Notes

• I need to call my mom and serenade her with a birthday song!! Don't forget, Heather!
  
• I stopped by Wendy's for lunch and ordered and Number One. She asked if I wanted medium or large and I answered medium. Funny thing, their "medium" is LARGE to me.
  
• Joseph is having his first goldfish right now! I've held off because they are just so delicious that I knew he wouldn't want to eat anything else ever again. He shoved about five into his mouth one after the other without chewing. I was right. Then I started giving him only one or two at a time and that was a little more my pace. He said "What took you so long to give me this wonderful treat, Ma? They are so cheesy and salty and crunchy. And I like to give them fish kisses!" Of course you do little Joe. :)
• How 'bout this weather!? Three cheers for a beautiful day!
  

It's someone's birthday today. And much to my enjoyment, I just happen to have an album of her's at my house since I've been working on my family tree. Does anyone else want to pinch those little cheekies?!

This little blond haired cutie is none other than my mom. I wonder what got into her in this picture, because usually she is beaming. She has a radiant smile. She is the best listener. She only gives advice when you ask for it. She gives great hugs. She is my Souper Salad buddy.

And coincidentally, here is little Mary Ann Pankratz on her 2nd birthday! That was a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time ago. ;)

This is one of those smiles I was talking about! That is one fun homemade seesaw that Papa made up for them. Uncle Earl is pretty cute too. Grandma makes some beautiful babies.

For her birthday this year we are having an ice cream party. Mom has always loved ice cream!
I think it was just her way of saying "I'm not cooking!" Because somehow, even on those treasured days off (like a birthday) she ends up getting finagled into making one of her famous dishes.

Fun Fact: Mom loves peanuts on her ice cream. She loves peanuts period.

Fun fact: Mom and Uncle Earl had a pet deer!

Fun Fact: Mom is a great gardener and has a beautiful backyard full of awesome plants.

Fun fact: Grandma and Papa traveled the panhandle with their combine. How about that?! They were like gypsies, or a circus. Ha, not really! I don't think a combine for hire is much like elephants who do tricks.

Fun Fact: Mom was crowned Miss Hardin High and voted most popular.

Fun fact: Mom has four children and 6 grand children that love her very much.

Happy birthday wishes to you!! We love you soooooo much and can't wait to celebrate next year! Thanks for being born, Mom!

Joseph Feels the Beat!

Jump up in the air
Jump around everywhere
It's time to dance
So shake your pants!
Go Joseph, go Joseph, go go go Joseph!

How'd that little poem do for ya? Ha. Joseph started dancing out of the clear blue sky the other day! We've never seen him do it before but he did it a twice during Sesame Street when the music started. Elmo just moves him, what can I say?! Nothing like a little Sesame Street to start the day out right.

P.S. Check out that stance!

Flusher McGee

We've been busy around here! I've got lots to do after a day with Joseph on the loose around the house. Seriously...he is loving getting into everything. Just when I thought I had the house baby proofed...

One of Little Mister's new things is crawling behind the shower curtains. It's pretty cute. I don't know what the fun in that is. But I guess what isn't fun to a 11 month old? He still loves lots and lots of attention but he is also getting good at entertaining himself. Like when I found him in the bathroom this day.

He doesn't know how to flush yet, thank goodness. I've had to start being very conscious about leaving the lid up. Most days I just keep the bathroom door closed to avoid any nasty disasters. Today I let him have at it for a rare treat. The bathroom that is...not the nasty toilet bowl.

Another of Joseph new tricks is climbing! He tries to get a leg up on everything! I can't believe it sometimes; he is only a baby! He can't start trying to climb up things yet. He tries even if the surface of whatever the "mountain" is is way higher than his little leg can get to. He also pushes things around on the floor and crawls along behind them on his knees. It seems to be really good practice for walking!

Heres my booger getting out of the basket. He seems to be having trouble though...

Yep, the basket went with him as he tumbled out...and here is the real fun: toilet paper!

Lil' Punkin is snoozin' right now and I've finally gotten a chance to sit down and put some new picts up here. We took a big ol long walk today to Subway for lunch then ran into Goodwill on the way back home. The weather has been so nice these days! I've got to get it all in while I can. I hope Joseph doesn't mind cold weather too much so we can keep on playing outside through the winter. He doesn't seem to mind too much of anything - he has a great temperment. And such a ham, too...

Say cheesie poofs!

The State Fair!!

We are a proud breed here in Texas! And the State Fair just reinforces all the "Texas is Best" madness. We love the Fair!



We arrived and made a b-line to our favorite Fletchers corny dog stand, right in front of Mr. Tex. But you can call him Big Tex! Boy, he sure got Joseph's attention when he started talking.

This guy says "I'm gonna getcha sucka!" He didn't like my camera. Don't worry, no flash was used around the animals! ;)



You know I am pretty partial to these guys but this picture turned out so sweet! Even if I am biased.





Ha! I don't know if you can see the emu very well, but that guy was totally scaring me. He looked like he wanted to peck our eyes out! I've said it before I'll say it again...those things look evil.



Here's Joshie Josh and the Funky Bunch. We met up with them the first time we went to the Fair. All these pictures are from two trips this year. Joseph did so good and seemed to have a great time.

He of course loved the car show! How can you go wrong there? Shiny cars and lots of wheels!



Oh man...Baby's First Funnel Cake! I think he approves.



The Texas Star bade us fair well and stands year round promising us a fun time next year. I love you, Fair...

A Sweet Baby and Fuzzy Ducks!

Birthdays

Another year come and gone! I had a birthday last Friday. Josh reminded me that next year is 30! Funny how that seemed so old once upon a time...

Since Peter's (my big brother) birthday is a few days before we always combo up and do a joint party. This year we thought dogs on the grill sounded good, with my favorite - mom's potato salad, and Peter's favorite - homemade cream of mushroom soup. And made-from-scratch chocolate cake. I used Pioneer Woman's recipe since I had been itching to try it and this was a perfect occasion for a little indulgence! Indulge I did.

Here is Josh and Joseph playing the "don't bite me!" game. We have since decided we shouldn't encourage biting. ;)


Peter brought this to Michael from Mexico. It's his medicine man poncho. Ha.


Well, look who the cat drug in from Eagle Pass! Hooray!




Ha! What's up there, guys?!









Note to self: be careful what you ask for. If you ask for pumpkin candles...you just might get pumpkin candles. FIVE pumpkin candles. But dang my house smells good!

And the best part; the love we share! I'll be reminded every time I look at this little wax message!