Oktoberfest and Ducky’s Baby Shower

At the end of September the town puts on Oktoberfest in conjunction with Germany’s real one.  I won’t claim to know too much about it other than all the fun, music and beer but I imagine that there is some reason it is held in September.  Anyways, It was raining and Brad was sick at home eating his chicken noodle soup but we made the best of it. 

  

Bradley had fun climbing the rock wall and below Easton loved the bounce house and was flashing his crazy smile to the artist.  He was saying “sssss” for the snake she was making him. 

We ran into some friends and Gavin loves their little boy Parker.  They did the Gladiator style jousting.  It was all too heavy for Gavin to handle so he fell on his own and then got knocked out.  Made for a hilarious picture and then he asked for some more, “bring it on” and then was so upset when their turn was over.  Notice the pouting picture. 

 

Also in the end of September my two dear friends Megan and Manda Panda as the kids call Amanda threw a baby shower for our other lovely cool friend, Becky or “Ducky.” Mentioned in plenty of blogs before.  She is expecting her second child, a girl this go round.  I tried to stay out of the shower and let my friends handle it.  I love baby showers.  I don’t know if it is just all the babies in the womb forcing me to be involved in them or if baby showers are really my thing or happy place.  I just brought lots of hosting supplies for them and made a pretty sweet burlap banner for the first time.  I had made paper and ribbon banners before but this was my first with burlap and paint. I also coordinated everyone making DIY hair bows for baby Jaguar. That is her name given by her brother Carter until the real name is to be revealed when she is born. 

 

Becky is so happy and joyful all the time.  I love her smile.  It takes a lot to piss her off but I have seen it happen.

And this is ME, scoring all the tissue paper they were going to throw away.  I pulled it all out of the trash bag and folded it.

My crazy friends!

 

Lastly, the new sweet baby girls modeling the hair bows for their friend Baby Jaguar.

We had lots of fun and a great end to a wonderful month.  September.

A New Year ~ 2013

It has been pretty uneventful in the Woodward house so far this twenty -thirteen. Pretty much the only news to report is we have all been sick and are trying to get better.  Brad and I are both on antibiotics for a nasty upper respiratory infection.  Pretty much a bad cold.  The boys after I was thinking they were in the clear came down with the stomach bug that I got on Christmas day.  It happened over a week later though and it also happened the exact night before Bradley was supposed to return to school from his 17 day break.  So, with the weekend included we got to have him home for 4 more joyful days.  Making that 21 days with all three boys!! Mommy is ready to pull her hair out so I am glad tomorrow, Monday, starts a new week of school and productivity for us! Here is a few pictures of what we have been doing since New Years.

New Years day we spent with friends in Southern Pines.  I did the cupid shuffle in the cold and we missed the “pine cone” drop at 8 pm! Laugh now!! There was no countdown from 10 so literally if you blinked you missed it. 

We have done a lot of laying around…

 

We went to Fun Gym and the boys both climbed the rock wall for the first time. 

 

We have been watching lots of Football together.

Playing…….

And going to the park…..

Racing Daddy on the slide is so much fun!

The boys love to watch Brad punt the soccer ball or football really high up into the sky and then chase it and catch it all to have him do it all over again.  They think it is the coolest that he can get the ball that high in the air.  Well, there is a funny story this time.  Gavin, being the social creature he is went up to another couple at the park with their two boys and said “my Dad kick the ball way up high….” anyways he is talking a mile a minute to this couple and demonstrating and he went to show a kick and kicked his own legs clear out from under him and landed on his back.   He got up and said “whoa!” and giggled at himself and then ran away.  The couple any myself were busting out laughing!! He is a trip I tell ya, A trip!!

Remember God loves you this New Year as he always has! Look for how he shows you and count it as that instead of brushing it off.

I am excited for the possibilities this new year brings as I take the steps and aim for change to happen with God to lead the way and help me when life is tough.  We all know the tough stuff doesn’t fade but the good part is that God doesn’t either as long as we don’t let him. He’s got my back in 2013 just like he did in 2012!! Thank you Lord!

Reindeer Fun Run 2012

First weekend of December Uncle Bubba, Aunt Joanie and Jackson came to stay the night.

 

Jackson ran the egg nog jog race with Bradley.  Rather, I should say he left Bradley in the dust and Bradley ended up crying trying to keep up with him.  He did keep up with him and I think that was the problem.  His little legs weren't used to running as fast as his cousin who is 4 years older than him.

Santa wishing all the kids good luck.

   

Waiting for our egg nog joggers!

Jackson coming in to take second.

He won second place and got a trophy which he ended up giving to Bradley because he did so good.  Technically if Bradley ran the way he did in his age group he would have got first place.  It was mommy’s mistake for putting him in with the 9 year olds for his first race without me.

 

Bradley rounding the corner to the finish.  He saw me and Uncle Bubba and started crying.

He was like “I’m done!”  Ha-ha! I wonder where he gets that from? hmmm! I jumped in and ran with him to the finish.  I am so proud of him.  I think Mommy failed that day and not him.

The after party had tons of food and games so that made it all better.

 

Gavin is double handed with a Panera candy cane shaped bread and Ritas Italian Ice.

 

 

The awards announcements.

 

 

Santa, I would like a JET please! Says Bradley.

 

Can I pet you Santa?

Santa, can I have a toy cheetah and a jet?

gamers.

Mellow Mushroom has a mascot.  Who knew?! The kids were friendlier with him than Santa.

 

We ate pizza in the grassy area and played.  It was a wonderful morning.

 

After that we came back to the house and moved half of my home decor a mile back into the woods behind my house. For this….

    

 

  

The location was beautiful with open tall pines. However, we had to fight with shadows and the sun. It was moving every minute.

I think they will have a beautiful Christmas card.  Our weekend was so much fun having them here.  Daddy was away for work and came home that Saturday afternoon and they got to hang out with him for a  few hours before they left to head home.