Pumpkin Carving

 We purchased our pumpkins on a Monday night for family night, but were so busy all week that we didn't get around to carving them until Thursday. The kids were really excited to carve them this year. Both boys were a little grossed out about using their hands to dig out the seeds. I told them to buck up and do it! Sheesh!

 Jaida on the other hand was loving the fact that she could get all dirty and no one cared one bit!

 Pierce decided that it would make it easier if he had his shirt off. Not sure how that helps, but okay~!

 Here is my curly haired girly. She was all smiles this night. We had spent almost the entire day in the car. She had an appt at a dr. office in Washington, D.C. It was a very long day and she got car sick. Not fun!

 Here is Team Lumpy and dad's pumpkin a BAT! oooOOO  ooooOOOo

 And team Pierce and Mommy a screaming pumpkin. Hey we do what we can. We are not artistic in the Belliston Family!

Here are the boys with their completed projects. They were extremely pleased. We finished the night with toasting our pumpkin seeds. Yummy.

National Zoo

 The end of September Pierce and Brock had a day off of school. The weather-man said it was going to be rainy and gloomy. I personally am getting pretty sick and tired of days like that. I thought what the heck, we are going to go out and have some fun regardless. I put my hair in a pony-tail and called my friend Stephanie to see if she was ready to join us on an adventure. She was super excited too. We packed up the kiddos and headed down to the National Zoo. Once we got there we realized that we pretty much had the park to ourselves. I guess everyone else was intimidated by the possible rain. The Panda bear was extremely friendly to us, the kids got a kick out of it.

 We packed a picnic lunch and had so much fun. best thing was that the rain decided to hold off until we got back into our car for the ride home. I am so glad that we have such good friends here and that we decided to get out and have some fun.

The boys really like this BIG silver back Gorilla. Man did he look mean.

Men in Black

 Pierce has been asking for a black suit for church for over a year. We kept telling him maybe for Christmas, then it came and went. Then we started to say maybe for your Birthday. Brown Papa and Gramsie finally got him this BELOVED suit. He can hardly wait to wear it on Sundays. Brock didn't want to be left out of course so we pulled Pierce's old one out and Bam! don't they look so very handsome?

It makes them look so grown up.

Brock Thomas (aka: Lumpy, Mr. Lumps, Lumpy Thomas)

Pierce Riley

I love my Men In Black

NYC ~ Concrete Jungle

 September 10, 2011
We started the day off with a picnic in Central Park. Our kids love spending time with our "cousins" The Crane Family. My kids have adopted them as our cousins. They played and played and played some more and then we ate our lunches on the rocks.

 What would a trip to NYC with out going to FAO Schwartz? The kids had playing on the BIG piano in their "top 10 things to do!" Jaida even got to get in on the action this time. Except she didn't weigh enough to even make the keys work.

 We walked and walked and walked and... walked.

 Brock was out cold! I had to stop at Magnolia Bakery and get a cupcake. I ate it too fast to even take a picture. Take my word for it.. it was SO GOOD!

 Our crazy family in Times Square. This place can never get old to our kids. They love all the action.

 Trent and Brian, so glad that we have reunited with these friends. We absolutely love their family!

 We could hardly wait to ride the Subway.

 In front of the World Trade Towers, well where they used to be. Now they are building the Freedom towers and a memorial for the Fallen. We have to go back to be able to see that though.

 Was pretty incredible to be standing at this location 10 years after the attack. You could feel the heart ache. It was neat to see the firemen out and police out. There were so many people out there paying tribute to all the "Heroes!"

Pierce thought this wall was pretty cool. God Bless America.

NYC ~ Steatue of Liberty/ Ellis Island

 September 9, 2011
We decided to make a quick trip up to NYC this weekend and see the Statue of Liberty. Our kids have been talking about it for a year now. The weather didn't look very good. I packed up all our warm clothes and we headed out. When we got ready the morning of, I looked outside and it was blue skies and warm. It was wonderful except for the fact that I had packed cold-weather clothes. It didn't stop us though, we sweated it out!

 The kids liked riding on the ferry. Jaida didn't understand the concept of having to sit still though. I was getting a little bit frustrated and hot!

 Brock was grumpy on the Ferry. Who knows why??

 Good thing she is cute!

 We got off at Ellis Island. We quickly learned that kids could care less about the island. they were most interested in eating lunch and then chasing the endless amount of sea gulls on the island. Jaida would chase them and say,"tweet, tweet".

 The view from Ellis Island.

 Brock apparently didn't know who was taking the picture.

 Lady Liberty~ It is amazing how big she really is.

 The original Torch.

 Everyone was laughing when we took this one. Pierce was so proud to "pick the nose" of the statue! Boys are so fun!

 I Love how Jaida enjoys being with her brothers. They absolutely adore her.

 Pierce wanted to smell her feet to see if they were stinky.

 The boys were laughing so hard when they saw this picture of the Statue of Liberty wearing  these funny pants.

 The view from the top of the pedestal.

 So happy to be there.

 Funny faces.

 Little bit cheesy..

 These crowns were a must have. Trent was nicer than I and bought them for their souvenir.

 They had these on display, they are actual beams from the World Trade Tower 9/11.

Gotta love this cute face. We had a really good time at the Statue. My boys heart NYC!

Brock's First day of Preschool

 September 7, 2011 Brock went to his very first day of Preschool. He has been wanting to go for some time now. He watched Pierce go last year and ever since wanted to go too. We put him in the same preschool that Pierce attended, Christ Memorial Preschool. We were really impressed with their program.

His teacher this year is Mrs. Lewin and Mrs. Scott. He has enjoyed it so far and is making new friends. I am sure he is giving his teachers a run for their money. I love my spunky little Lumps. He looks so cute in these pictures!