Boo at the Zoo

Part of our Halloween traditions is to head over to the Denver Zoo for the Boo at the Zoo. We know that it is going to be packed, so we literally get there right when the zoo opens. This year they had a Super Hero theme, so Payson thought it was awesome!

Dillon was excited and ready to go.

The wagon was great because we left with a lot of loot!

I caught Dillon trying to get some candy out of his pumpkin. Sorry buddy - you only have 8 teeth and Todd and I worked hard to get OUR favorite candy!


Payson was excited to see his buddy Zane....

and his buddy Jake. Too bad the muscles got in the way of their hug!

Dillon loved riding around and seeing the kids and animals - such a happy baby!



That night we decided to carve our pumpkins - Payson was not sure about the pumpkin "guts"!

He finally dug right in and then told Daddy exactly what they should look like.


A bowl of popcorn and we were happy with our finished products.

Even took them out to test them on the front porch.

Halloween Celebrations

For our family Halloween began at the beginning of the month. Being able to attend Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland was so much fun, and pretty much impossible to top. Luckily we have had the opportunity to be included in many Halloween festivities leading up to the 31st. Payson's costume is starting to show it wear, but he loves it.
Thursday he had a Fall Festive at preschool - all of the kids were in a costume parade. Payson was a little confused about the parade before hand, he wanted to know what music would be playing when he marched in the parade! As soon as Dillon spotted Payson he started scooting his way, so I could not get a really great shot of him, but he had fun waving at all of the parents.



Friday we attended a great costume party at Zane and Reese's house. The boys were in their costumes for everything. Lunch, playing outside, and all the fun crafts! They finally crashed on the couch together watching cartoons at the end of the afternoon.

Dillon and Reese looked great in their costumes!


Zane the fireman even had the matching firetruck to drive around. And Payson and Zane drove it around and around the circle. So many times around in a circle we were all dizzy and a screw came loose in the steering wheel!


When they finally got off the firetruck, they were even more crazy and silly!


Once inside we decorated cookies and decorated some great pumpkins.

I love that this picture looks like Dillon is bossing the entire table around!

1st snowstorm - October 2011

Crazy Colorado - 80 degrees on Monday, snowstorm on Wednesday. Playing at a park on Monday in shorts, snowsuit on Wednesday. Pretty much a perfect week for Payson.

Dillon did not know what to make of the white stuff - so he just stared at it from the window.

Payson was outside as soon as he could get his boots on.


The best part of playing outside is coming in to a hot cocoa with lots of marshmellows!

Family Photo Shoot - Fall 2011

With both Payson and Dillon having fall birthdays, I decided this year I wanted to get family photos outside for their 4 year and 1 year photos. We lucked out on the day, the leaves were bursting out in bright autumn colors. Not many words can describe how happy I am when I review all of the proofs from the photographer. She did such an amazing job capturing our little family. My heart just bursts with love for my guys.













Of course, after the photos the boys needed to burn off some steam, and since we were at a park, we all went to have some fun. Dillon is a daredevil on the slide, over and over again!

Tis the Season - Pumpkin Patch #2

The next pumpkin patch we visited was Anderson Farms in Longmont with Aunt Emily, Porter, Susie and Nonnie. Even more fun, Emily's friend Molly brought her three children, including her 5 week old. Charley was a trooper with all of the big kid activities we put her through. The farm was amazing, with endless things for kids to do. When we arrived in the morning there were about 15 school buses dropping off for field trips and that was a little intimidating, but the Farm is so large, we soon found a ton of activities to keep everyone very happy and busy!
We found out after we got there that Pony Rides were only on the weekends. Then when we saw it was the type of Pony rides where you are lead in a boring circle, we were not too disappointed. Payson and Susie were not disappointed at all, in fact, they ran around the circle so much I commented to Emily that I needed one for my back yard to help burn of energy. I could charge the Neighbors!

Then my little cowboy Payson practiced his roping skills!



Next we found some pretty cool trikes to ride...

But, soon found the tires to be more fun!


We thought those first trikes were cool, until we found these.

Everyone had fun racing around the tracks!

Then we found these - the biggest "Big Wheel" I have ever seen. It was a stretch for Payson to reach the pedals, but he did it!

Susie took on the role of wrangling in Payson and Kelty - Good Luck!

Dillon and Nonnie enjoyed watching the big kids ride the bikes.


Then hands down favorite activity was the barrel train. I think we rode it 4 or 5 times. Dillon tried it once with Payson.

Here you can see the row of kids - Porter, Susie, Kelty, Payson and Dillon

The kids really loved this crazy driving train.

By about the 5th time riding it, they started to treat it like a roller coaster with their hands up!

Dillon did not really enjoy the barrel train, but he really liked this pumpkin patch. All of the pumpkins were just his size!


I think overalls are a must for every little boy.

Next up, panning for gold in what Payson called - Beer Water. Think this kid has watched his Dad brew some beer?

Then an attempt at a group shot of the kiddos - pretty amusing!

Loaded up onto another hay ride to be taken out to the pumpkin patch.

Here is our attempt to take a group shot. Considering how many kids are here, I think we did pretty good.

Trying to choose the perfect pumpkin!

A couple more family shots, and we called it a day. A great day, and we are all looking forward to going back next year. What an amazing place. The cousins were all pretty sick of pictures, but we did make an attempt to get a few more pics, not our best work, but pretty funny!