Happy Halloween!

I wanted to title this "Why My Husband is a Lucky Guy" but I thought since it was Halloween I'd make it an obvious title.  Plus, I'm sure I'll have plenty of reasons throughout the year that I could use the other title for but Halloween only comes once a year.
Here's why I wanted to call this post "Why My Husband is a Lucky Guy"...
Today I decided that the best thing I could do with my afternoon was dress up the dogs, and puppies, and kids and take their pictures.  
My husband comes home from being gone since 6:30 am and the conversation goes like this...
Sam: "So what did you do today?"
Me:  "I'm tired, it was a pretty busy day.  Luke had his Fall party at preschool then they went trick or treating around town."
Sam: "Oh.  So what time did you get home?"
Me: "Uh, like 11:15."
Sam: "Cool. So what else did you do."
Me: "Well, I wanted to take pictures of the dogs, puppies, and the boys dressed up. I'll show you!"

Sam:  "So where are the costumes?"
Me:  "Well, some of the dogs ran off in them."

Sam: "So where's the boys' costumes?"
Me: "Oh, yeah, they didn't want to put them on.  They just wanted to use their teeth they got at the party today."
Sam: "Your eyes are closed."
Me: "Thanks, I hadn't noticed."

Sam: "Cool.  So what else did you do today?"
Me: "Wait, I'm not done."

Sam: "Why is Sandy dressed like a dog?"
Me:  "It's her costume."
Sam: "But she is a dog."
Me: "Oh, thanks, I hadn't noticed."
Sam:  "So what else did you do today?"

Me:  "What do you mean?"
Sam: "Well, is there anything to eat?"

Me: "Huh? Oh, well, I was tired after this.  It took forever, then I had to chase down the dogs to get the costumes off.  And by that time the boys were grouchy so we just came in and laid down."
Sam: "Seriously, is that all you did today?"
Me:  "What?  That was hard work."

However, lucky for him, I played this whole conversation out in my head before he got home.  So this conversation never actually happened because I got my act together and actually did something with the rest of the day.  But I know this is what could have very easily been said.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Please Vote!

Because it's almost Tuesday,
because it's almost a week before the big election,
because I'm trying to help out a customer, 
because I follow the Pioneer Woman and this is how she starts off some of her blog posts, 
I've created a poll for you to vote for the two names Mary in Omaha has chosen for her puppy.  
Go to the right and choose between Hoss or Hudson.  

Thanks!  I can't wait to see if we actually get any votes.  

Here's the blue collared cutie who needs a
name.
Is he a Hoss?
Or a Hudson?

Annual Hayride

This weekend marked the 3rd Annual Fish Fry/Hayride held at my parents' house.  It's always a fun time for kids and families.  

Time to load up!

My boys and their sweet cousins, my nieces.  We're missing my nephew.

My dad and his team of mules, Millie & Willie.

My dad's cart and horse, Jett, driven by someone I don't know.  But this lady was certain she was going to die.

There were horseback riders too.  

And here's what went down.

Here's my dad's buggy and two of his other horses, Blacky and Misty driven by the County Commissioner, because we're fancy like that.

We made a quick stop at the river but it was a little cold to hang out for too long.

Always a fun time for the kids unless something bad happens like the first time we had this thing.  My son and I were on a wagon that almost tipped.  "Fall Hayride" then became known as the "Fall Fiasco."

Crossing the Finley River.  These are my dad's draft horses, Sally and Bessie, driven by my brother.

Followed by my dad and the mules.
Anyone ever studied about the Westward Movement?  After riding in one of these wagons, you gain a whole new appreciation for those people who spent 6 months on them.

The cart and the lady who thought she was in the final minutes of her life.

Sam and my friend since kindergarten.
Fun fact about us...our firstborns are 3 weeks apart, our second two are 3 months apart.
What?
You don't care again?
Fine.

When everyone gets back, someone gets roped into leading kids around the yard for the duration of the afternoon.

It wasn't all smooth sailing.  I got shot by these two several times.
They show no mercy.
That's my nephew back there.  I always thought we were friends.

Don't worry, those puppies didn't go neglected.  This is my kindergarten friend's kid, the one who's 3 weeks older than my son.  The one you don't care to hear about!
She's holding Purple collar.
And she named her Butterscotch.

Here's my kindergarten friend's other kid.  The
one who's 3 months younger than my other son.
The other kid you don't care to hear about.

Butterscotch and Pink/brown collar.  The other little girl belongs to a friend from college/church.

Sibling Rivalry

I'd like to start the morning off with a picture of Purple collar.

Then I'd like to go into the visual lesson I taught my boys as we watched the puppies.
As a former educator, it's important to treat everything as a teachable moment.

The lesson is that fighting with each other is never a good idea.  You miss out on important things in life.  Watch and learn.

These two wouldn't stop.

I'm guessing it was something over who got to be in the middle next time they all piled on top of each other to sleep,
Or who got to lay on the blue towel,
or who Mom likes better,
or who Dad likes better (that's not true, they don't even know their dad yet)

In the meantime, the rest of the litter has noticed that Mom has come around and begin heading that way.

Except these two.

Finally, they decide they're hungry and Mom doesn't stick around long anymore.

Well, well, well...
look who can't find a place at the dinner table now.

Guess they wasted too much time fighting.

Are we feeling a bit ashamed now?

It was a wonderful lesson,
one I think that really hit home with the boys. . .

or not.

Enjoy your weekend!

Closeup Cuteness

These pictures don't need my weird commentary today.

They speak for themselves.  Except this one since I cut off Pete's head (I think it's Pete, the light one with a red collar).

No, I don't need to say a thing, their little faces do all the talking.

I think this is Hoss.  Or Hudson.
You might be wondering why I don't refer to him as Donald or Goofy or Pluto or whatever I'd originally said.  Hoss or Hudson is what his owner is trying to figure out.  Maybe we should take an online poll.

Although my son refers to him as Bear because that's who wore the blue collar in the last litter.

So Hoss, or Hudson has a lot of names. . . and ladies apparently.
Wait, that's his sister. . .gross.

This picture ensures that your puppy is being raised in a drug free environment.

The kid hasn't taken a nap in a year and a half and now he looks annoyed like that's what he's trying to do.
Or maybe he's closing his eyes in hopes of opening them to me and my camera being out of his face!
A kid can dream I guess.

These puppies are like newborn babies though.  They give you the urge to hold one, snuggle up, and fall asleep together.

 Turns out you got my weird commentary anyway.