Dallas Arboretum

It's fall at the arboretum! The place is always beautiful, but I especially love it when it is decorated for the fall. On Mondays and Tuesdays they have lots of extra activities for the wee ones. Here is Gates in a pile of pumpkins. Cheeeese. See my gourd?

Brushing a sheep in the petting zoo.

Year round, they have these little playhouses, which Gates LOVES. Hudson was here with us this day, I am not sure how I missed getting him in one single picture. He really loved the houses too!

This kiddo will lie down on any and every bed she sees. gross? kind of, especially in light of all the talk and hype about bed bugs. You know, one of my fave topics, as of late.

The two story playhouse.

Myson's Room

Well, we have been working on our little dude's bedroom. I am really liking how it is looking. The one thing you will not be seeing in here is anything with his name on it. These maps over the changing table hung in my grandparent's living room forever. Brandon refinished the frames and painted them black. They are silk maps that my grandfather carried during the war, when he was a pilot. I love them, and I know that Soft Hair, would be thrilled to see them hanging in Myson's room. In the corner you will find an alligator on a swing.

The hot-air balloons are staggered above the crib.

Fun with Friends

We went over to the Fletcher's new house and enjoyed some fun playing in their wonderful backyard. It is so nice to hang out with people with two year-olds. For the most part, they don't get too alarmed when your kid screams, or takes a toy, or even insists that each and every thing in the house is "mine"....

run, gatesy, run........
Keelan and Hudson

Ball

Ball with Daddy

the linear formation

This girl can really catch. seriously, almost every time!!!!

The potty is back in the bathroom now! Cute little peer, huh?

Big Girl Room

We have been busy getting Gates accustomed to her big girl bed and room! She is doing pretty well, but she does enjoy getting out and reading and bringing every single book into her bed...
I am almost done, I just need to get a white lampshade and change the plate on her wall for something that goes a little bit better... But, I am pretty pleased with how it is coming along. See those books and toys in the window seat? They all end up in her bed each time she goes to bed...

This is her new bed. We have a foot board, that looks good. We just bought the wrong frame, so we need to get one to accommodate the foot board...

Such a big girl!

Circus!

Today my dad took all of his grandkids, Jackie, Brandon, Mom, and me to the Circus! We had such a fun time! My dad has always loved the circus, as have I, and now Gates.
Here she is just before we left home. looking at the elephants. They understand French, English, and German. The oldest one is 53. They are treated well, despite the protestors outside of the circus...

Yes, Brandon and I are dressed in the same color. Cute, huh?

Looking at the elephants.

beautiful little niece, that is starting high school..........

The little fairy God Dog brought lots of luck into our house! In this week of potty training, things are going well. Gatesy is getting the hang of things! Thanks so much FGD. And also to Brandon, if he were not home, I would have given up. I feel quite sure!!!! :)