Remembrance Day

For the second year in a row, Jeff and I attended the Rememberance Day ceremony in Kings Lynn. As the wing commander cannot possibly attend all functions throughout the area, the squadron commanders are able to fill in for these unique opportunities. We both feel quite honored to be a part of the ceremony. This particular ceremony includes a morning reception in the beautiful town hall.

There is a really interesting painting of Pocahontas from when she was presented at court. She married a man from King's Lynn and the Disney version "quite got it wrong" according to my new friend at the town hall. I love when you stand in the hall and they tell you you are standing in "the new bit" and it was built mid 1800's. But it's new because the old "bit" is hundreds more years old. There are some panels of glass our friend called the gossip columns where folks etched into the old crystal glass messages.

After meeting up we process to the war memorial following these amazing swords and maces which are from Queen Anne's reign. There is a very moving wreath laying ceremony where about 50 poppy wreaths are laid around the war memorial. It is such a proud moment to watch my handsome husband during this ceremony. Of course you know I'm dying to take pictures of the entire thing but cannot! After processing back to the town hall for a quick hot mulled wine we process into the local church for a service. The service this year was good. We didn't like a couple of the hymns but the message was good. After the service we head back to the town hall for a reception with the mayor. Last year the high sherrif of Norwich wore this amazing plumed hat. This year's high sherrif was a man so no interesting hats to speak of! I really do have to learn the words to God Save the Queen if i'm going to continue to go to these things!

Busy Baby

Trying to watch soccer games on Saturday was a challenging experience. Colton is dying to get out on the court and play with the big kids. We were able to keep him somewhat in check by giving him his own ball to play with. However, he was still a monkey, climbing up and down all the bleachers and tearing around throwing balls onto the soccer court. Is is bad of me to wish for nanny???

Soccer Star!

Jackson has been kicking a soccer ball in front of him since he could walk. He has always had a fascination with soccer balls and was crushed last year when he wasn't quite old enough to play indoor soccer. He is so much fun to watch. I am amazed at how he goes after the ball and really understands the game. He is one determined little guy.

His team is undefeated this season so far and he has personally scored at least 3 goals a game. I love this picture of him sliding into the ball to shoot it and you can see it going right past the goalie, it's the yellow blur.

He really is a little star and his big brother who claims he taught him everything he knows is quite proud! Speaking of Connor, he is also a star outscoring everyone on his team and even being allowed to play up into the older league and play against high school kids. He holds his own and scored two goals on Saturday.

Fall Things

I love fall; it is my favorite season. I even chose a dark hair color to celebrate the season this year! As much as I wanted to do really great fall leaf pictures, it's been a bit wet and I haven't been able to get any yet. So instead I have Jack and Cole carving pumpkins. Colton thought it was the coolest thing ever and even liked the taste of the raw pumpkin! The kid likes food! I'm not lying. Jackson was so excited to carve the pumpkin he had picked. So he sat down with daddy and they came up with a design and he carved it all himself. I was real proud of how patient and careful he was. Colton just liked the slimy messy part.

I mentioned in a different entry that Jeff and I attended a halloween party. Well, we had a younger babysitter in the neighborhood stay with the boys. I guess my directions on jammies for the night were misunderstood because I woke up in the morning to find my 26+lb son in a top for a 0-3 month old baby. The end of the shirt didn't quite make it even to the top of his diaper! It was like looking at a sausage! I cracked up but at least the sentiment is true!

Like a Monkey Getting Into a Banana!

Colton found a butterfinger from his brother's candy bag and I swear it was his mission to get into that. He didn't know what it was but it was crinkly, and smelled good and he was determined. As you can see, he broke it open somehow in the middle and was quite pleased with himself until mean mommy took it away. Didn't have the camera for that face!

Halloween Happenings

This was a really fun halloween for us. First Jeff and I were invited to a great party at our friend's house. We went as Michael Phelps and his swim coach complete with a speedo! (Gotta give my husband props for bravery although the robe stayed closed the majority of the night! ) The next day we had our medical group party which was fun for the kids but took me out of the loop all day as I was in charge of the party. By the time I got home it was time to take the kidos trick or treating.

Our little penguin and skeleton had fun going around our neighborhood with daddy. They even visited the haunted garage and lived to tell the tale!

Connor opted to go trick or treating at the last moment with some friends from school. As he wasn't planning this he didn't have a costume picked out. So he grabbed the largest one we had, notice the shoe covers are half way up his shins! He had a blast and came home with an enormous bag of candy.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I was sitting with the ladies in our neighborhood handing out candy, eating chili, drinking apple cider (and hard pear cider) in front of a fire pit. We fed the security forces guys patroling our neighborhood and solved world problems well into the night. Colton even got to try his very first lolipop. Let's just say he was a sticky mess, but he smile was HUGE! My favorite costume of the night was a young man who had issues with our local postal service. It was a fun evening for all of us!

11 Months and Counting

At 11 months Colton is such a big boy! I can't believe it's less than 30 days now that he'll be one year old. We are having a blast with him. He is a complete and total monkey, into EVERYTHING he can get into. He walks very well now, and is almost at a run in many instances. He loves shoes and hats and plays peek-a-boo with us with any item of clothing he can find.

He waves bye bye, claps, rolls his tongue all the time and is like a sponge absorbing sounds and repeating them like a little myna bird. He adores food and likes anything and everything. I'm not too sure it all likes him as his belly sometimes seems unhappy. And he's a climber. He has figured out how to climb onto the couch and back off. And he's quite cheeky about it, very proud of himself when he gets up there. He is such a happy baby all the time, everyone loves him.