USC Gamecocks and Trick or Treat!

Last Saturday, Greg and I watched our South Carolina football team beat the Tennessee Volunteers, 14-3. Whenever Daddy would yell or shout Paton would quickly join in. I managed to capture the two of them sitting on the ottoman enjoying the game.

And then tonight was Halloween night, and Greg took Paton to several church members homes to trick or treat. Since Paton is only 2 1/2, he wasn't real keen on actual costumes. In fact, last night I had him try on a lion costume, and Paton was quickly reduced to tears. "All done lion, Mommy. All done?" I didn't have the heart to put it on him again today. So we decided to dress him up as our hunter, or as we affectionately called him...Elmer Fudd. He loved his "new" jacket and "new" hat so much! The ensemble was complete with cowboy boots and rifle!

Cowboy boots, Fluff, and Bucks

When living in the west, one's clothing collection is not complete without cowboy boots. While Paton was in SC a few weeks ago, Nana bought Paton some of his own genuine leather cowboy boots. He loves stomping around in them! Here he is just before church.

My brothers and I grew up eating peanut butter and fluff sandwiches. They were our favorite lunchtime foods. When I was in NH this passed May, I brought home two containers of Fluff and have been conserving them ever since. Hence, here we are in October still eating fluff sandwiches! It's definitely worth saving as Fluff isn't sold around here. Paton especially loves fluff and instead of taking bites from his sandwiches, he sticks his finger inside it and licks!

Last week, we had missionaries staying with us for four days. Below is one of their children, Bella, coloring with Paton. He enjoyed having the extra playmates!

This morning, Dom called and needed Greg's help tracking down a buck he shot earlier. Below is the trophy! When they found it, Greg called me assuring me that it was huge enough for me to want to see. I quickly bundled up Paton and trekked across the field just up the hill from my home. What a buck! Definitely worth the walk!

Family Pictures

 Each year around the fall, I like to take family pictures and use them for our December Christmas letter. I've done this every year since 2008 (I was a few months pregnant with Paton then). This year, my parents were in town, and just as important, the weather was looking to be great. In fact, it turned out to be around 70 that day so we didn't have to wear heavy clothing.

So a friend of mine from church, Cathy (whose photos I really like) agreed to take the pics for us. Last year, all we did was put my camera on a tripod and took pictures of us in Ogden. So this was an upgrade from last year!

Paton did very well! When he was done taking pictures, he made it pretty clear. But by then we had some really great shots from around our valley.

The picture below was evidence that Paton had had enough of all this photography, posing, and us saying, "Smile, Paton!" Thanks to Cathy for her patience and expertise!

Greg and Paton in the South

 Greg went to SC to recruit counselors and operational staff for our local Bible camp, and he was also hoping to find a possible summer intern for our church. Greg's mom thought it would be nice to have Paton come along and stay with them in Georgia while Greg worked on his tasks in South Carolina. So, both of my guys left on Friday, October 7 and returned the next Friday, October 14. It would have been really hard to be by myself for 7 days, so I invited my mom to come here and have a girls only few days. My dad drove here the day Greg and Paton returned, and we had a really nice weekend before my parents drove back to Colorado.

The above picture is Greg and the Vincent family at a South Carolina Gamecocks football game. The Vincents had never been to a college football game before, and Greg counted it an honor to introduce them to this experience. They loved it!

Below is Paton with his cousin Zoe. Knowing how particular Paton is about some things, I like to imagine that he's showing Zoe the finer points of hair-combing.

Zoe and Paton, though states apart, share a common interest in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Nana told me that they often sat in Papa's recliner to watch their show.

Apparently, Nana got many comments about "the twins."

Harvest Hoedown

Last year's Hoedown was rained out so we had to have it in the church (a real bummer when one considers the fun of having it outside). So this year I was thrilled when the weather report showed only a 10% chance for rain. Each family brought food, and we all enjoyed a wonderful time of eating and greeting! 

Below Paton is sitting in Mary Kate's lap for the hayride. She's a really good babysitter for Paton, and he loved the hayride. I wasn't nervous at all about him jumping off, for you see, that would have completely ended his fun. In fact, once or twice when the four-wheeler stopped to add or subtract people, I could see her asking him if he was done. A vigorous shake of the head showed that certainly wasn't finished riding!

Greg and I made an effort to dress up hoedown-ish this year. Last year we had only been here two months or so and didn't have the stuff we needed. This year, I even had cowboy boots (how folks wear them all the time amazes me...my feet were so sore afterwards!)

The trampoline was a little much for Paton when he wasn't holding our hand. In fact, at the start he wanted to do it himself and had to learn the hard way that he's only 2. After that experience, he wouldn't let go our hands!

Humorously, Paton didn't get the idea of eating the apple off of the tree. He just grabbed one and took a big bite! Apples are one of his favorite foods!

Not to be outdone by his friend Jonathan (a year younger than him), Paton rode a horse for the first time. We didn't even have to hold him while he rode. I wish you could have seen him shake with excitement!

Even Mommy rode!

The adults are having their turn at seed-spitting.

A long thirsty day is satisfied.