Our family of pumpkins

We finally took some pictures of our "finds" from the pumpkin patch.  Ben's policy was, "if you can carry it, you can get it."  So $0.40 per pound and our total was $36.00.  I'm hoping the girls come into a dainty phase in life, where bigger is not always better in everything they do!!  The boys, well, I'm sure we are in for some interesting pumpkin finds in the future.  I'm just sorry poor Caleb can't find his "handle" on his pumpkin like the others have.  

Pickin' Punkins

We made it this year . . .  and it is only the 9th of October.  We knew we needed to be sure and get there this year because Hayden has not let us forget that we didn't get there last year.  We have been to Tate Farms for several years now to pick out pumpkins.  They have really expanded and added a lot of new stuff since our first trip.  You'll see what I mean when you pay your admission!!!  The kids did great.  No fighting, no lost children, no screaming parents, no bites from animals and no begging for junk to eat!!!  We were able to pet some animals, play on the "toys", take a wagon ride to get our pumpkins, jump in the corn bins and let the kids ride the corn train.  I think we got some really cute photos from our trip.  I just wish I could have recorded the laughter from Caleb holding the bunny, Joshua riding the roundabout bicycle thing, Hayden picking corn from her underwear and Ally doing just about everything.  

A fun night at the Goode home.

We needed to get a family picture for our Sunday school class, so instead of dragging the family to a photography studio, we created a studio in our living room.  A little stressful, but we got some pretty funny shots, and 1 good one.

Liz Hurley Ribbon Run

I am entering another race.  This one is to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research.  If you would like to make a donation, go to www.lizhurleyribbonrun.org/mypage.php?id=1279.  Thanks.

All for the free t-shirt!

I love "entering" races, programs, workout contests, etc.  I love them because usually you get a "free" t-shirt that says you were there and participated.  Bragging rights of sorts.  I'm rubbing off on the girls.  I took them to Huntsville Hospital's Autumn Chase one mile fun run.  It is a crazy, crowded, mass of nutty, over-protective, competitive parents like me.  This is our third year.  The first year we didn't have the boys and Nanny went with us.  I carried Ally on my back the entire mile.  And I ran.  We missed the next year because of the birth of the boys.  (Nobody else volunteered to take the girls . . . wimps!!) Last year, I loaded up everybody and off we went.  I ran along side Ally and Hayden did her own thing.  The boys rode in the stroller.   This year Ben kept the boys at home and Nina went to see all the fun.  Did I mention my Mother has a lower tolerance for rude, ignorant people than I do?  Yep, almost a fight in the parking lot.  Good thing I didn't wear my Capshaw Baptist VBS shirt!!  The car beside us was in a BIG hurry and felt the need to aggressively merge in front of me.  I let her just because I was laughing too hard at her waving her hands and, I believe, talking ugly to me.  Anyways, we get up to the race and decide that Hayden will go ahead and run with Ally's group so we don't have to stick around for another 1 1/2 hours until her time.  She is thrilled.  I guess I should let you know she had already run a mile at school with the running club before this.  Not the best of plans.  The girls take off and Ally shows a surprising bit of competitive spirit and runs.  She ended up finishing in 12 minutes and she ran the whole thing.  Hayden did great and ran most of it.  We immediately head to the t-shirt table to collect.  The girls got some ice cream and after working for about 30 minutes to find the free bags and frisbees only to find out they had run out, we left.  There was a small incident in the ice cream line.  Yep, somebody cut in line.  Nina gave the rest of their group a dirty look and they backed away.  Don't mess with us.

I am the champion!!

Yep, team relays today.  I had no team.  It was all me.  Four laps around the parking lot.  I paced myself knowing that those ahead of me would slow.  On the third lap it was me and some guy.  I smoked him.  Fourth lap was my big finish.  A sprint.  And you ask, "what did you win?" Nothing. . . . except being able to write about it here!!

Not too much to report here.

We're still here, just not too much "excitement" to report.  The girls are both doing well at school and the boys are tolerating Mothers Morning Out.  Ally has gone back into her "it bothers my bottom" phase with clothing.  Even the workers at Limited Too got to hear about Ally's issues.  Hayden is in the running club and trying out for Monkey Mail.  She is making super grades even though working to get there can sometimes be a family battle.  The boys are starting to say more words.  My favorite of course is "no".  Joshua says it best and most often.  Caleb is more focused on annoying his brother and drawing out the "no's" than saying them.  Ben is busy and has allergies.  Nothing to report on me.  I'm perfect.  I did hear a funny story about my brother in law making a purchase at Walgreens and three (3) workers having to do a price check.  If you know Stephen, you should ask him about it.  Oh, to be a fly on the wall!!!