More Pets

Our family is constantly growing ... no we're not expecting again, we're just always adding new pets. First of course we had Tom & Jerry (Tom's been visiting God in heaven now for 2 1/2 years). Then Duke. And now Tuck the turtle and Freddy the frog. They live in our backyard but both come to visit periodically. We'll feed them and play with them but after a few days, we put them back where we found them so that their family won't get too worried. Oh, and how can I forget Itsy Bitsy the spider who's spun her web right outside the playroom. Yikes! It's actually the biggest spider I've ever seen so needless to say, she doesn't get too much cuddling from us but she's still pretty neat to look at!

However, our newest addition is Popcorn the Praying Mantis. His name given to him by Sophia since she just happen to be snacking on some popcorn when she spotted him.

Sophia couldn't resist holding and petting Popcorn while Alexandra preferred watching him from a distance and cuddling the Rosemary

And right after finding Popcorn, who did Daddy find taking a little swim in the pool. Freddy! He came back to say hello!



And my has he grown! As Alexandra says "He's not our little froggie anymore. He's all grown up" ... "into a big toad" Sophia always adds!

Fall Festival

No better way to kick off Fall than with the preschool Fall Festival!

The best family picture of the bunch! I knew it was going to be hard to get all 3 of my pumpkins to look at the camera, but not this hard : )

The most popular ride of the festival... the pony ride! We waited about 30 min to go around and around a 50 ft corral but as you can see, it was so worth the it!

Lucas was not about to pass up this opportunity either!

Our very confident rider ... no hands!

While the girls jumped around Lucas went digging for treasure in the hay.

BFF's

Jack and Maggie came over for an impromptu playdate.

Here are the Fab Four snacking on some popcorn while watching Jack's favorite and year long obsession "Toy Story"!

The little girls! Not just in age but size too!

Cars!

It's not only Joe who enjoys cars in our family. All three kids get excited when daddy brings home "a new race car"! This Corvette was especially thrilling since it was cherry red just like Lighting McQueen from the Disney movie CARS.

It amazes me how in a house full of pink and "girl" toys Lucas is so drawn to anything "boy". He loves cars, trucks, anything that moves as well as balls and bikes. As soon as he saw the new addition in the garage he ran over and couldn't wait to get in.

The girls like driving "daddy's race cars" too! If i remember correctly, here they were headed to the aquarium then the zoo. But on their way they stopped by Publix to pick up some ice cream and bagels with cream cheese.

Hmmmm, i wonder where Lucas was going?!?!?!

Mommy's Little Helper

I always expected kids to be scared of the vacuum, but not mine! All three have always been intrigued by it. Lucas though has more than just a fascination, he's obsessed! It doesn't matter what he might be doing, as soon as he sees or hears the vacuum, he immediately comes over and starts pointing, grunting and now that he's walking, he starts vacuuming!

Juliet's Visit

From one set of cousins to the next. Abu, Tia and of course Juliet came to visit this weekend and just like the last, it was full of fun and tons of activities or as Joe says " field trips," including the Children's Museum, Tangelwood Miniature Farm, and Chuck e Cheese, just to name a few.

Juliet quickly warmed up to the girls and "baba" (Lucas) but it took a little longer for her to give me kisses and let me hold her. Hopefully next time I'll get a little more sugar from sweet Juliet!


Juliet had fun fishing while Lucas was fearless and loving every part of it!



Our little Picasso's showed off their painting skills.



And Juliet practice her gymnastics in the new sports exhibit.

Hmmmm, is their a train table in our future Santa !?!?



Popcorn with Abu while watching "The Little Mermaid", Tia's favorite!



Don't know how much longer this is going to work. It's looking a little crowed in the there.

No fear here! Lucas completely surprised me, I was expecting him to be attached to me and want nothing to do with the animals at all but to my pleasant surprise he couldn't get enough of them!

Being from Texas, Juliet felt right at home on this longhorn!

Who can pass up a pony ride?!?!

One, Two, One, Two, ... Juliet helped Lucas get more confident in his walking abilities

Sisterly Love: Since Alexandra shared her room with Tia and Juliet, Sophia shared her bed with Alexandra, what a treat!

Labor Day in NC

Summer schedules were so busy we decided to finally make plans to see The Barker Cousins over Labor Day weekend ... and it was so worth the wait! From chocolate chip whipped cream pancakes for breakfast to smores by the campfire (and everything in between), it was a quick but definitely fun filled visit and a wonderful way to end the summer!

Nothing pink or girly anywhere in sight! Lucas was in complete heaven! He's never seen so many cars, trucks, airplanes, helicopters etc in his whole life.

Not a Braker cousin trip without a few karate chops and wrestling match with Uncle Chip

And then there's movie night!

Beach time ... This is the"best beach ever, no salty water"

Both girls decided they wanted to try tubing. Sophia LOVED the speed. And the bumpier the better. (sorry no closeup picture) Alexandra on the other hand, decided she was "still too little, but maybe next time"

But driving the boat. That's a different story. You're never too young for that!



Time for a "campout!" A little hesitant about the fire at first, but as soon as the marshmallows and chocolate came out, everything was okay!



Alexandra couldn't get enough of the sprinklers while Sophia worked diligently on her"game." A VERY long yet simplified version of hop scotch.

This pretty much sums it all up ... plenty of snacks, sun, and R & R!