Go Gators!

On Sunday we took the kids to the Gator basketball game. Savannah had been 2 years ago when she was about Landon's age, but it was such a different experience for her this time around!

Landon wasn't too interested in what was going on- he fell asleep on Grandma's shoulder at halftime and missed the whole second half!

Savannah got sooooo into the whole thing! You can see the motion of her hand/shaker in this picture. She would go nuts whenever the band started up, waving her shaker around. If she had dropped it, it went unnoticed until the band started and she'd be looking around like crazy for it!

She was very into the clapping, too- she cheered for both teams :)

We had great seats- in the lower section on the alumni side! Do you see the ball in the net here?

And Savannah got to meet Albert- twice! This was the first time, she was actually calling out for me as I snapped it- very unsure of this big alligator! She became obsessed with him- the rest of the game she would search him out all around the arena- "Where's Albert?" she'd ask. Grandma took her up to the walkway when he came back around so she could talk to Albert- she petted his nose, so cute! She wouldn't hug him though.... which makes me happy because I am more than a little worried at the lessons we are instilling in our children... alligators as friends! Wariness is good!

The game was a lot of fun, it's been a while since we've been to one and I had forgotten how much fun they are! 

Cover Girl

This past Sunday night, I crossed an item off my 'bucket list'. I have been waiting for this specific date for close to 5 months, and waiting for the event for close to 17 years. 

Yes, that's right.

New Kids on the Block.

Live. In concert. In MY town.

You'd better believe I was there.

No 15 year old paraphernalia, no side pony-tails. Just me and my man, at the St Pete Times Forum. And thousands of other screaming women, standing around us and losing their voices, too. An the occasional husband who was man enough to accompany his wife. 

It was loud, but it was worth the pierced ear drums and swollen vocal cords. These are not Kids anymore- they managed to put on one heck of a show even at close to 40 years old. They had the same smooth, albeit cheesy, moves that they did in the late '80s - but it wouldn't have worked any other way. And it was one of the most fantastic concerts I have ever been to.

While I forgot to charge my point-and-shoot camera battery and all I have t show for it are some grainy pictures and videos on my cell phone, I will always have my memories. And they are sweet, sweet memories. 

It was great to feel and act like a kid again, just for one night. 

Savannah-isms

This morning I was helping Savannah get dressed. I put her in a pink Gator tee and was holding out her panties for her to step into. She took one look at the pink Elmo panties and informed me, "Mommy I can't wear those panties, they don't go with my shirt."

Apparently I am raising a fashionista. Move over, Rachel Zoe!

And this afternoon we were in the loft watching the Gators STOMP the Georgia Bulldogs and I had the second tv (during football season Brad has two televisions set up in the loft, so that we can fully appreciate all that the football Gods have to offer) tuned to PBS Kids for Savannah. A commercial for some toy came on and she said to me, "Mommy, I want that toy! I want to play with that little girl, in the TV. Mommy, can you take me in the TV?"

A Fall Festival

Prepare yourself for picture overload!!

She loves her baby brother so much....

We went to Starbucks 2 weeks ago to meet an old friend of mine from elementary school. I found her on facebook and come to find out she is living in Lakeland, not too far from here! We met for coffee and it was so much fun to catch up- we haven't seen each other since the fourth grade! Here's a few shots of Savannah while we were waiting for Ashley to arrive:

Tasting the scone I bought her, not too sure what to think of it. 

The boredom beginning to set in.

All right, I guess this isn't too bad...

We went down to Cape Coral to visit my parents that weekend. Here is Savannah camping out on her new Princess air mattress that GiGi bought her:

And Landon, always with one hand on those toes!

The weekend of the Kentucky game, I was visiting with Julie and Dawn decided to drive up from the Villages to visit us- she was one of my bridesmaids and I haven't seen her in years! It was the first time she'd met either of my kids!

The following day we made an attempt at the pumpkin patch in Ocala. The pumpkins were terribly picked over, and rotting- and Landon didn't like it one bit, poor thing!

So we headed back to Grandma and Grandaddy's house, where Landon could make trouble and enjoy himself. 

How did they get to be so big??


Does this face spell trouble or what?!

After leaving Ocala we decided to try out another pumpkin patch. Landon was a little more tolerant this time around. 

My boys :)

So sweet- right after I snapped this photo, Savannah took that flower and walked over to a little girl, about 7- she told me she wanted to give the girl her flower, and she did! It was such a cute moment!

Okay, I absolutely LOVE pumpkins. Seriously, how beautiful are they??

The only shot of the two of them together with the pumpkins. 

All right Daddy- I've had enough!

So we went home and tried to get a few pictures of the kids with the pumpkins at home. 

These next ones were taken on Halloween. Poor Landon has his first cold, so he was not too happy with any of the festivities!!

And now for the good stuff- costume time!!

Doesn't she make the cutest little fairy??

And the most adorable puppy dog, ever. 

Poor Landon wanted nothing to do with Trick or Treating- he hated the costume, he hated the wagon- he finally fell asleep on Daddy's shoulder. 

Savannah was a bit unsure about the whole thing at first. We stopped at our across-the-street neighbors first, Rodney and Sandra. She sat quietly in the wagon and cool-ly ignored everyone. She wanted Brad to carry her to the first few houses, and then when I took over taking her door-to-door I made her walk. After the first few houses she definitely got the hang of knocking, saying 'Trick or treat!' and got really excited. As soon as we got our candy and said thank you, she was off yelling "Let's knock on another door!" And of course she LOVED everything that was put in her princess bucket!!

I have a feeling it is just going to get more and more fun in the next few years- she woke up this morning asking if we could go trick-or-treating again!