Friday, October 31, 2008

Fall is Here

The weather is finally changing. Can't say I'm that happy about it either. I personally, prefer summer. The hot sun, swimming pools...need I say more? But alas, the leaves are falling from the sky...


and the air is cooler in the morning. Just ask Cate...


We had a Family Home Evening at a relative's and carved pumpkins.


Cate stayed warm with her Uncle Jacob.


And then came Halloween. We did two things this year for the holiday. On Saturday, we went to Treats on the Square. I didn't have my spiffy new camera then, so I elected to wait until the Trunk or Treat at the Church on Wednesday to take pictures. Caleb and Connor were Buckeyes, and Cate was a Buckeye cheerleader. Ben and I wore referee uniforms to complete the ensemble.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Yammin' It Up

Like many small Texas towns, Gilmer has an annual festival. The Yamboree.

Yes, folks...I said Yam. We celebrate an orange potato.

But, it's so much more than celebrating a nutritious tuber. It's about turkey legs, funnel cakes, parades and cow poop. Not really cow poop. But, it is everywhere after the parades and everywhere at the Yamboree grounds.

This year was our first year living here in Gilmer. Because we were not visitors ourselves, we got to house visitors. And we really enjoyed it.

We had a family from Hutto make the five hour trek to see us. The kids had a great time camping out in Caleb and Connor's room at night. And I think they also enjoyed the Yamboree. Here is a picture of Quinlan and Caleb on one of the rides. Caleb expressed several times that he would not have ridden anything if Quinlan had not been here.


There are two main places to see the Yamboree events. The rides are all placed around the square. And the livestock and crafts are all out at the Yamboree Grounds. The rest of these pictures are from the Yamboree Grounds. They've built a huge wooden playscape at the grounds and the kids played there for a few minutes.

Connor

Cate

Our visitors from Hutto left Friday, only to be followed quickly by more company. Ben's brother Mark and his family arrived for more Yam Jammin' Fun. Saturday we made another voyage out to the Yamboree Grounds. We met up with Joe (Dodd brother #1 who lives in Gilmer too) and his family, and Dodd Mom Linda. This little setup was in the barn where the cows were kept.

Cara (Mark's #1) and Jackson (Joe's #3)

Caleb

Connor

Monday, October 13, 2008

Connor and Cate


They have their own connection.

Mostly their conversations go something like this:

Cate: Get away from me. You're hurting me.

Connor: But I just want to squeeze you to death.

Cate: Well, stop! You're annoying me!

Connor: C'mon Cate. You're fine. Just let me lay on you until Mom sees me. Then I'll get off.

This is what I gather from Cate's screams and Connor's small talk. But this day was different I guess. She seemed to tolerate him for a few minutes. And it looks like they are having some kind of conversation.



Connor: Cate, turn your head so I can check your ears.



Connor: Hmm. They look okay.



Connor: Now look at mine.

Cate: Whatever,dude! I don't want to look at your gross ears!



Cate: Okay. But, for just a second.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Happy Baby...

September 26, 2008
Cate
Almost Six Months


October 10, 2008
Cate
Six Months