Shiver me timbers!

Halloween was so much fun this year. Colton and Paxton LOVE the show Jake and the Never Land Pirates that is shown on the Disney channel. I thought it would be hilarious to dress them up as Captain Hook and Mr. Smee and lucky me, my dream came true! It was a battle to get Colton to be Captain Hook. He insisted on being Smee. However, once I brought home the hook from a costume store, he was sold on being Hook. We had a great time going to our ward trunk or treat the Friday before Halloween and again on Halloween night around our apartment complex. People really loved their costumes which made me feel good.

I found Colton's Captain Hook coat at Salvation Army for $10. It's a little girls pea coat from Target! It worked out PERFECTLY once I added a bunch of trim. I sewed some ruffles onto a white t-shirt he already had which he wore under his coat.

I found Paxton't hat and shirt at Salvation Army for 2 bucks total. We had the sweats already :)

Colton HATED this wig. I snapped this picture as fast as I could because I knew it wasn't staying on long.

This picture was taken immediately after the previous one...not happy about the wig!

Trick or Treating around our complex with the shark (their friend, Ethan).

Colton carried his bucket on his hook the whole night!

These brothers were SO HAPPY to be out past bed time AND getting candy!

We walked around our complex for about 45 minutes. These two were so tuckered out after that they slept between 11 and 12 hours that night. Such a bonus to the tired parents!

Cleverly's in Kirtland

One other place we went with Nicole is Kirtland. A visit to the Lybbert's isn't complete unless there is a visit to Kirtland (a historic site to our faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). The kids had fun walking around the sites together.

And shame on me not getting a picture of just Nicole and I!

A Cleverly Visit

My sister, Nicole, and 3 of her 4 kids came for a visit from Indianapolis. I was so flattered that she would drive six hours to come stay in our small apartment (well, small compared to her house!) while she had a break from school (my rock star sister is in dental hygiene school--with four kids!). First on our to-do list was a trip to Lake Erie. It's a few short minutes down the road from our place and it never ceases to impress. It's so massive, you feel like you are at the ocean.

Sticker Party

Colton: "Mom, come quick! Pax and I made you a sticker party!"

...they threw me a party on the fridge...

Days at the Park

We are sad that days at the park with our friends are limited. Colton and Paxton LOVE going to play group each week. It's going to be rough having to stay inside more often as temperatures continue to go down.

Job Security

I would like to thank Paxton for my ever increasing job security.

Citi Kitty

Oh yes, people. It's happening. Be prepared for some serious tales of adventure.

Amish Country

When Aimee was visiting we opted to head out to Amish Country. It was fun to see all the horse buggies. We found an Amish shop that had a few Amish made goods along with a restaurant. I wish we would have eaten there but we didn't have time.

Colton and Paxton found these dinosaurs in the Amish store (not Amish made) and they wouldn't put them down.

An Amish stop sign.

Babcocks! Does this doll bring back memories?!

Colton found this little doll bench and it made him really happy!

Paxton thought this was a real dog...

Alyssa ended the night reading to my boys!

Kirtland with Aimee

Parker's sister, Aimee, drove over from Virginia to escape hurricane Irene (which didn't end up affecting her house--phew!). We had a great time with Aimee and her two girls, Ashley and Alyssa. Our first stop was Kirtland, a historical place to those of us of the Latter Day Saint religion (or as you may know it, Mormon religion).

Fun at the Fair

Last Friday we went to the Lake County fair. The boys went on a few rides. We ate awful fair food. Laughed a lot. Cried a little. But mostly, we had a great time being together as a family. It was a great afternoon, one for the books.

Colton was so excited to go on this dragon roller coaster. His face started like this...

and ended like this.

Pax enjoyed watching the rides from a distance. He did one ride and that was it for him.

Daddy and Colton.

We let the boys play a "game". The game went like this: pay a lady three bucks, pick a duck, instant win a prize of your choice. Kind of nice to have an instant win... not so nice to pay $3 for inflatable swords that I have wanted to pop since the moment we got them.

We ended our evening watching the cowboys ride and race their horses. The boys loved it.

Buddies

I hope these two stay buddies. Forever.

Grandma and Grandpa B.

My parents have been on an epic road trip and we were fortunate that they made Cleveland one of their pit stops. We got them for two days and had loads of fun. I am kicking myself for only getting the camera out once, but hey, at least I have some pictures! We went to this train "museum" that one of my friends really talked up. To the museum's credit, they were in the middle of packing up and moving locations, BUT it was just a warehouse where train enthusiasts could set up their trains..... and children were not allowed to touch ANYTHING. Not a great idea with two boys. However, the kids thought it was great but I will not be going back anytime soon. I think they only thing that made it fun was my parents being there.

Done, Done, DONE!

It's official. I finished my degree. It was just an associates degree (in communications) but I feel really good about completing a degree while having two kids. I fully intend to get a bachelors once all my kids are in school. But for now I am going to enjoy being home with my kids without any homework!

Got a Cold?

A few weeks ago I was doing some homework while Colton played and watched a show shortly before bed. I realized I hadn't heard him for a few minutes which is always bad sign. I started walking toward him when I was overwhelmed by the smell of vapor rub. I was so confused. I started walking much faster. I got over to Colton to see him COVERED in vapor rub. He found the jar and smeared it all over himself AND my window. Because vapor rub is oil based it is hard to clean up. I put Colton in the bath which only amplified the smell. Our apartment smelled like it got a cold for several days. Not what I had in mind for finals week!

Lost in Translation

Last night was looonnngggg. I will post on why a little later. At the end of the day I was helping Colton say his prayers and they went like this:

Mom: "Thank you for the Gospel."
Colton: "I love hospitals."

That made me chuckle!