Pumpkin Carving

We carved our pumpkins last Monday (I am still playing catch up). We had our friends, the Hudsons over, carved pumpkins, played Don't Eat Pete and had some Halloween sundaes. Brandon carved the three eyed pumpkin, mine is the ghost and Farrah's bat.

Tyler, Sam, Alyssa and Jackson with the Jack o Lanterns



Favorite Quote of the Night:
After carving pumpkins we read the book Halloween Night that Brandon illustrated. Alyssa Hudson (5) remarked, "The pictures are cool. You are also very good at coloring in the lines."

Halloween Party

Brandon's Uncle Cory and Aunt Lisa throw the Best Halloween Party every year. They turn their barn into a spook alley, have games for kids, food, bon fire, and hayrides. This year we dressed up as with a Frog Prince theme. Brandon and I were the Prince and Princess and Sam was the Frog Prince.

Prince Brandon, Cory and Lisa as Prince Charmin and Seeping Booty, and Princess Momily, which is Sam's new nickname for me.
Sam, Jordan, Emily, Brandon, Jake, Jacob, Beth and Maci Forrey on the hayride.

Seattle and Visit with the Forreys

Yeah for visitors! The Forreys visited us last weekend. We had so much fun. A late game of Settlers of Cattan, an early morning with the kids followed by a long day in Seattle and a late night Halloween party. Needless to say we were exhausted at the end of the weekend, but it worth every yawn. While in Seattle we were able to see the Space Needle, Pike Place, the fountain, get some clam chowder and ride the monorail.

The kids after church on Sunday.


The little men, Jacob and Sam. The jacket Sam is wearing was Brandon's when he was little. It even has leather elbow patches. Love it.

NYC

Brandon was in NY last week to meet with clients, editors, art directors, show his face, hobnob, etc.

As we were getting Brandon ready to go, Sam asked why Dad was going to NY. " He is going to sell himself." OK, wrong choice of words. Sam's face was classic confusion immediately followed by sadness. "I don't want dad to sell himself. I want dad to come home." Let 's try that again. "Dad is going to sell his art." And that seemed to satisfy him.

But as the week went on and Sam realized Brandon wasn't really where he normally is, upstairs in his office, he would ask, "Is dad selling himself?" Very concerned but so cute.

Well, Brandon came back with all his appendages and some great contacts. He was able to meet with a lot of people, give a presentation at an inner city school, do a book signing for Halloween Night and the Wizard, ride in a black car with driver (you know the kind on The Apprentice), work on his Christmas book (will be coming out next winter), and spend time with his cousin Ryan.

Now he is home and trying to catch up . We are so glad to have you back home with us and all in one piece.

Pumpkin Patch

We were able to go to the Scholz Farm pumpkin patch again this year. Second year and start of a new family tradition. Sam had a fun time picking out the pumpkin and trying to lift the heavy ones into the wheelbarrow. The boys also had to have a turn to drive the tractor, see the farm animals, sitting on pumpkins for "a rest", and playing with the toys. So much fun!

Take Your Kids to Work Day

This is more than just a special day once a year...This is a daily event.

People are always asking how we feel about Brandon working form home. The boys and I for the majority love it... Brandon is always home for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If I need help with anything during the day Brandon can take a break and help. While I was pregnant with Jackson, Brandon changed all of Sam's diapers and potty trained him, including all the clean up of accidents. His schedule is flexible enough that we can take trips and run errands together during the day and he can work later. Brandon can supervise playtime while I take a shower or have to do something with out the boys. You can wear your pjs to work. Sam loves to "work" with Brandon. He loves to play computer games especially on Disney Playhouse and Sesame Street's websites. Commuting to work consists of walking down the hall.

The downsides...There are days when Brandon never leaves the office. Work is too easily accessible. Brandon's office has also become Sam's play room. Art directors tend to set deadlines for when they get back from their holiday vacations. This results in no or canceled holiday vacations for us. I am sure there are more for both pros and cons, but I can't think of them right now. We love having dad home with us all day!!


As a bonus you find treasures like this.

The Brandons

Brandon Mull came up to Washington on a book tour and we were lucky enough to have him grace our home. As we were getting ready for dinner Sam kept on asking when"Brandon Mull" was going to get here. You can really confuse a kid when you have multiple Brandons in the house. At one point three that night.

4 Months

Weight: 14 lbs 5 oz
Height: 25 inches
50% percentile

Arching his back
Laughing for Sam
Sucking his lower lip
He prefers to stand and jump in my lap. If I try to sit him down he stiffens his body and won't bend, until I give in and stand him up again.
Loves watching TV, especially football
Scoots around on back, spinning circles as he goes
Sitting in the Bumbo and swing
Doesn't like being on his stomach, because it makes it harder for him to suck on his hands.
Sleeping about 9-10 hours a night for about 3 weeks.


I love how Jackson is showing off his chunky legs (above) and sucking his lower lip.

Samisms

Sam is going to hate this picture one day. But when else do you get to document your son sitting in his underwear on the potty at his computer with these gigantic headphones on?

Brandon: "I am going to go fishing. Maybe I will catch a big salmon."
Sam: "You can't catch me. I am not a fish."

Sam: Mom, where did the sun go?

Mom: It is behind the clouds.

Sam: Mom, tell it to come out and make the rain go away.

Mom: Well, get used to it. We live in Washington.

Sam: Then let's move.

Boy at store: What is your name?

Sam: Sam.

Boy at store: Hi Sam. Do you like ham?

Sam: No

Sam's version of "I am a Child of God."

I am a child of God

And he has sent me here

Has given me an earthly home

With parents kind of weird...

When Brandon and I are talking Sam will quietly come in the room and listen to our conversation. If he hears his name at all he will ask, "Are you talkin' 'bout me?"

Translations:
Hopgrasser: Grasshopper

I'm hard at that: That is hard for me to do.

Sam: Can Jackson have a sticker?
Mom: Yes. Anywhere on his pjs.
Sam: I am going to put it on his back. I really don't want him to drool on it.

Keen-E

We have been on a zucchini high at our house. Sam helped me grow one plant in our yard and my parents had an abundance they would share with us. Luckily we all love zucchini and eat some almost every night. Zucchini spaghetti sauce, grilled zucchini, zucchini with garlic, cream cheese zucchini bread, stuffed zucchini, chicken and zucchini, fried zucchini, zucchini chocolate chip bread, zucchini and pasta, pork and zucchini, banana zucchini bread, etc... Now repeat with a southern accent like Bubba Gump.

Sam's favorite is Bacini bread (Banana Zucchini) or as he refers to as keenie bread.