OP Halloween Carnival

Cheerleaders, Batmen, Batwoman, Pirates, Ghosts, OH MY! What a fun time we had at the OP halloween carnival. Ayden you were Batman and Ally Brynn a gamecock cheerleader. You two looked soo cute in your costumes and got so many compliments on how cute you were. Ayden you played games and LOVED seeing all the costumes. You saw many of your classmates and friends and even Mrs. Huffstettler, your teacher. Ally Brynn you wanted Daddy to hold you most of the night but finally decided to get down when you saw all the great prizes Bubba was getting. Afterwards, we went to House of Pizza for supper and you both pranced around for the customers. You two are soooo adorable and so much fun. I love you and can't wait to take you trick or treating Friday night. Here are the pics....

Cotton Pickin

Along with all of the other wonderful things that come with the fall season, is the blooming of the cotton around the house. If you squint your eyes just right, you can almost imagine that the ground is covered in snow. A far out wish with our warm winters. The combines have started to collect this beautiful material down the street and so before the game Saturday, Ally Brynn and I decided to pick a few pieces. Being that it hasn't been long since her trip to the fair and the cotton candy she and Ayden shared, her first reaction to the cotton was to eat it...on second thought, this may have been just her first instinct minus the fair:-) She eats EVERYTHING! She is even bossing around the cook at daycare. Everytime Mrs. Diane comes into Ally Brynn's classroom, she tells her to "Go Cook, I eat." Ayden is barely eating anything these days and loves that he can give Ally Brynn all of his leftovers. Here are some of our Cotton Pickin pictures along with a few of the kids playing in the yard. They are playing so good together at this age.

Jell-O Pudding

Boy you guys sure take after your mommy with the sweets. We had chocolate and butterscotch pudding with whipped cream for dessert and you two had a blast. Ally Brynn, you were covered from head to toe and enjoyed every moment trying to lick it all off. Ayden, you didn't want to miss out on the fun and decided to get a little on your face as well. I couldn't resist a few pics.

Rocket Ship

Carley called on the way home today and invited us to come over and play with her new rocket ship that she and her daddy had built. It was a beautiful afternoon. Ayden, Carley and Ally Brynn had a blast playing in the yard. Carley's rocket ship was a cardboard box with two holes cut in the top for Carley and Ayden to ride in. She had decorated it so pretty and even had an on/off switch (a light switch) on the top. In the front, there was a strap hooked so that someone could pull the rocket ship around the yard. Chi was REALLY good at that job:-) Ayden, Bert and Carley got in a little football while Ally Brynn took a ride in Carley's car. Then the girls had princess time when Carley brought her and Ally Brynn some dresses to get all dolled up. They were too cute! What a great afternoon with lots of smiles!

For Saturday's Carolina game against Kentucky, we all got dressed in our burgundy and black and watched the game. Ayden you were all into the game, hooping and hollering. It wasn't until Uncle Greg came over that you began changing your tune and your clothes. You changed outfits 5 times that day. You couldn't decide if you wanted to be a Clemson Tiger or a Carolina Gamecock. It doesn't matter to me which team you choose because Burgundy and Orange both look just perfect on you and I would be thrilled with you going to either of the schools for college (I don't want you to go too far away :-)) Ally B, you are finally beginning to come around to the camera. It has taken awhile and lots and lots of pics but this is one of the first times I have gotten you to sit and smile for me. Such fun because you and bubba are my favorite subjects to photograph.

Laken in Bowman Academy Homecoming

We went to Bowman Academy Friday night to see Laken hand out the crown to the homecoming queen at Bowman Acaademy. She was so beautiful and so grown up out on the field in front of the crowd. She does not like to wear dresses and when she called to invite us, she made sure to tell me that she would be wearing a dress. She was sooo excited and especially excited to see Ayden and Ally Brynn that night. It started pouring down rain right before half time but I managed to grab a few cute pics. You looked so pretty Laken...thank you for inviting us. We had a great time!

Boots in the Rain

We have had such a great time playing in the rain. While Daddy and Ayden went to see if there would be a soccer game this week, Ally Brynn decided to slip into Ayden's rain boots and head outside for some fun. Ally Brynn you LOVE shoes. Any shoes that are lying around the house or by the door are perfect for you to try on. You were so funny trying to walk in Ayden's rain boots. When Ayden and Daddy got back, we were still playing outside and you just loved showing off Ayden's boots on your feet. Here are a few pics.

Ayden's 5th Birthday

It is so hard to believe that 5 years ago, you were born. Where does the time go? This day has been full of laughter, fun, family, friends and a few sad moments of realization that my baby boy is not a baby anymore. You tell me this all the time but it is so hard to imagine. We went to the fair this afternoon with Ally Brynn, Daddy, Nana, Mamaw (Cheryl Walling), Big Daddy (Wayne Walling), Carley, Parrish, Kylee, Kylee's GiGi, Robin Mack, John Mack, Davis Mack, Aunt Debbie, Laken, Clay, Michelle Stillinger and Skylar Stillinger. What an event....you were running around with a smile that was bigger than your face. We rode the roller coaster and slid down the big slide. Once all the tickets were gone, we headed to the house for some hot dogs, cupcakes and ice cream. MiMi, Mammy Jackie, John David, Papa, Annie, Pa, Uncle Ken, Jodie, Kristy and Jake Edmonds, Julie, Lydia and Ansley Riley, Bailey Syl and Andi Jameson, Anna Sanders and J-Bird, Keith Stillinger, Sunny and Richie, Chi and Bert, Chuck and all the gang from the fair all helped us celebrate your special day. You opened your presents and were so excited over all of the wonderful gifts you were given. One, you insisted on opening right away - a batman costume from Mommy and Daddy. Daddy took you in the bathroom and helped you get it on. Mommy went out and informed all of your guests that we had a special visitor come for your birthday.....BATMAN. You came out in full Batman mode...posing and taking pictures with the girls. You were ADORABLE and the girls LOVED it! You even made the whole group sing the bithday song over because we all said Happy Birthday to AYDEN and you were not Ayden at that time. SO we all sang Happy Birthday to BATMAN! :-) Thank you for bringing so much joy and happiness into our lives. You will always be my baby! Just like our favorite book (I'll love you forever) says,
I'll love you forever
I'll love you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be!

P.S.
You asked me if I thought Daddy would share his clothes with you because you are getting sooo big. You are too much. :-)

I love you AD Bug and Happy 5th Birthday,
Mommy

Ayden's 5th Birthday @ OPS

Happy Happy Birthday AD bug! We started your birthday off with such excitement. You were in a great mood this morning and ready to be KING of the day in Mrs. Huffstettlers class. Mommy and Daddy came to your school with pizza's, cupcakes and ice cream for you and your friends. We had so much fun! Mrs. Huffstettler and Mrs. Pooser had a banner hanging outside of your classroom that said Happy Birthday, Ayden is 5 today! Then on the door to the classroom were tons of pictures with you and your family and friends. At the top of the door it said AYDEN IS OUR KING. Your teachers really made sure that the day was all about you (even making a special crown for you to wear) and asked you to tell everybody some things about you. Your favorite color is Orange (this has to be because of your love for Clemson right now :-). You want to be a rock star when you grow up. You favorite toys are your trucks and when asked if you had a girlfriend you said her name was Carley. The teacher also asked your favorite food and restuarant. Your replies were "junk food" and "Ryans." Daddy and I cracked up because we barely ever go to Ryan's but all of your classmates started screaming how much they love Ryan's too. Mrs. Huffstettler couldn't believe you didn't say McDonald's! I think me and Daddy's favorite part of our visit was when you asked to sing the Tootie Ta song for us. I have the video posted and it is hilarious. Thank you for sharing it with us Mrs. Huffstettler and Mrs. Poosers class. I took a ton of pics of you and your friends and by spending just a short time with you at school, it is so easy to see how loved you are by not only Daddy, Ally Brynn and I, but everyone around you.