Amarillo & Springfield

This past weekend we were able to spend some time with Ryan's family in Amarillo and Springfield, CO. Ryan's parent's church and his grandparent's church both generously supported us on our trip to Ethiopia, so we were excited to share with them the details of what God did through our team. We had a full day on Sunday - speaking in Amarillo in the morning, driving to Springfield, speaking again at the evening service, then enjoying some cheese nuggets and pumpkin pie at the Wesslers:).

On Saturday, we took Carter to the "Amazingly Fun Farm" in Amarillo. It has a huge corn maze, hayrides, and lots of activities for young and old.

Ryan chasing Carter through the little maze of hay bales.


I don't know who thought to fill a large container with dried corn, but it was a huge hit!


We also had lots of fun using the water pumps for duck races....


If you look closely, you'll see that my blue duck is ahead of Ryan's pink duck...it's not important who actually won...


In the middle of the corn maze, we stumbled upon this lookout with a slide. I think this picture was trip #5 or 6 down the slide.


Grandpa, Grandma, & Carter


The Cow Train (I think this was supposed to be for the kids - oh well!)


Carter loved climbing the rock wall. After getting a little help on the first try, he was a pro!


Again, I don't know who thought to make a slide out of pvc pipe, but it was lots of fun.


We weren't able to spend as much time as we would have liked in Springfield, but it was great to see both sets of Ryan's grandparents, even briefly. Since we were in Colorado, it seemed appropriate for Carter to wear his Broncos jersey, and guess what we found in the Wessler's garage....a Broncos helmet!


Down...Set....Hike!


Ryan is patiently trying to get Carter to do the Heisman pose...this is the best we got.

Oklahoma

We were fortunate to have yet another fun-filled, crazy weekend. This was our 2nd annual Boudreau Family "Camping" Trip, and by camping, I mean staying in a large cabin, playing horseshoes and bumper pool, feasting throughout the day on pumpkin cookies, queso, and steak, you get the idea. It was definitely a roughin' it kind of weekend:).

Carter was excited to roast marshmallows again and enjoyed hanging around the campfire.


PaPa brought fishing poles for the grandkids to have their first try at fishing. Carter was very intrigued by it all, but taking after his mother, he wanted no part of baiting the hook with live worms.


Unfortunately, this was all we had to show for our efforts. I don't know who was more disappointed about not catching anything - Ryan or Carter.


Charlyn & Dave were the only ones with something to show for the morning.


You can't make a trip to the lake without taking some time to throw/skip rocks into the water.


We took a little hike down a nearby trail. It was an enjoyable walk, but based on his extensive hiking experience, Carter informed us "This isn't hiking..."


Carter, Avery, & Dylan are enjoying some downtime before bedtime.


Of course, the tire-horse swing was a big hit!

Gig 'Em Ags

Carter has had the privilege of visiting Aggieland before, but this time it was different. He got to experience one of the greatest joys of being an Aggie - attending his first football game at Kyle Field. And while the 44-30 loss didn't go over well with Ryan, Carter didn't seem to mind at all. He thoroughly enjoyed watching "the big guys with jerseys like mine" and all the other festivities. We actually made it through the entire game. Given that this was the first time in his entire life we have purposely skipped naptime, that's quite an accomplishment.

A few hours before kickoff, the Yell Leaders have a "Kid's Yell Practice" where they teach a couple yells and let the kids practice.


Carter was a fast learner...


Here is Carter with two of the Yell Leaders - it took a while for him to get the courage to go stand with them for a picture.


Carter, Ryan, & Nathan watching the football team (aka - the big guys) walk from the buses to the locker rooms.


Carter decided it would be fun to hold hands with E. King Gill - the original 12th Man.


Gig 'em from Rudder fountain


Climbing on the Century Tree.


The first look at Kyle Field.


No, I didn't "photo shop out" the other fans - we really were there that early.


We went down to the front of our section so Carter could watch all the action. He got to throw back one of the footballs from field goal practice - cool stuff!


This was an unexpected surprise - notice the Secret Service.


Carter was enamored with the Corps marching by. He especially liked the Mounted Calvary and will tell you all about the guys following the horses with shovels & wheelbarrows.


It was a bit warm for Carter's crazy spirit hair, but at least he tried it on for us.


Watching the game.


Carter had a rough time making it through the 2nd quarter - as it turns out, all we needed was a tub of popcorn...


This was taken about 5 minutes after we got in car:).


It was a busy day, but well worth it!

Pumpkin Picking

I'm assuming one of these days life will slow down, but lately we have had a lot of what I would deem "picture worthy" events. And this weekend we're taking Carter to his first Aggie football game, so you can just imagine the many pictures that will result from that special day:).

But back to pumpkin picking... We drove a few miles north of McKinney to the Big Orange Pumpkin Farm in Celina to pick out some pumpkins. We got to feed cows, goats & sheep, go on a hayride around the farm, climb on hay bales, and pick out pumpkins. It was great fun, I'm hoping we can make it an annual event.

Carter was a little unsure about feeding the animals
in the beginning, but he got a big kick out of them
licking his hand for the food.


So many choices, how will I ever decide...?


This one's just my size!


Carter & Daddy enjoying the hayride.


Family Picture


Carter tried every knob, lever, and pedal but just
couldn't get this "tractor" to work.


He wasn't in the best picture taking mood, so we
were having trouble getting a good smile out of him.
Then Daddy decided to give Mommy pumpkin ears....


In case you're wondering what pumpkin ears look like....


This is one of my favorites - a perfect fall picture!

Happy Birthday Avery!

This past Saturday we enjoyed an evening with the Boudreaus celebrating cousin Avery's 3rd birthday. (I can't believe she's already 3!!) Carter loved all the pink decorations....seriously. The kids played in the bounce house, ate hot dogs, and had lots of cake and ice cream, it was great fun!

Carter & Avery hanging out on the bounce house slide.


Carter loves bouncing.


Cousin Dylan showing off his surfer moves.


Who needs a bounce house and lots of kids when
there's a broom around...


We had lots of fun with the balloons (it didn't quite
work the same on Daddy's hair).


Carter was so excited to give Avery her "Aquadoodle".
It's a miracle that he didn't tell her what it was before
she opened it.


Enjoying some down time with PaPa.