HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Happy Halloween everyone! It all started with both of the boys waking up at 6:00 AM! Well, time to get rolling on a busy day!

Andrew had a costume parade at school Friday morning. Now, I know why he likes spiderman, superman, power rangers, etc etc. They were everywhere! He's never seen one show with these characters but talks about them all of the time. Here are a few pics.

Andrew's class


Superheros to the rescue! Superman and Spiderman

Andrew and a classmate are very curious about baby Luke.

Lots of parents came to watch the parade.

That afternoon we had a costume parade in our neighborhood and even Luke participated! Andrew was Superman, Luke was a pumpkin, Mommy was a witch and Daddy was a redneck (not too much of a stretch there). Andrew did NOT like the fake teeth Scott wore. He cried and yelled "take those out". Wish we had a picture or video of that.

We ate pizza and other yummy goodies. There was a costume contest and there are some really creative people in our neighborhood. Then it was FINALLY off for trick or treating. Andrew was so excited! He really "got it" this year. He would say "trick or treat", get the candy, say "thank you" and then turn to me and say "Mommy, let's get more!". Then we were off to the next house. He walked (or ran) the entire time but he finally pooped out near our house. I had to carry him back 3 houses.

After that, he was waiting at the door for kids to come to our door. He had to give out the candy. It was SO fun and exciting to know that this is the start of many fun Halloweens!

Andrew and Will waiting for the parade to begin. Will is a bat.

Group picture before the parade.

Here we are walking in the costume parade.

Obama and McCain made an appearance at our wonderful event.

The Pirates of Capers Crossing. This is a family that lives on Capers Crossing. They even had their golf cart decorated like a pirate ship.


Family shot. Can you see the expression on Luke's face? It's so funny! We only took about 20 pictures to get one that looked ok and wasn't of the back of Andrew's head.

Me and my little pumpkin.

Superman and Superpup!

FINALLY, we are trick-or-treating! Andrew absolutely loved it. He didn't care what scary decorations were in front of the houses, he was getting his treats.

His favorite part was ringing the doorbell. No matter how many times I told him to push it once, I swear he pushed the button at least 3 times at each house.

TREATS!

"Come on, mom! Let's go. Let's get more!" Andrew's standard phrase as he was running to the next house.

Andrew's treats. It doesn't look like a lot but it was (especially for a 3 year old). He only really wanted the lollipops and the fruit snacks. YEA! More chocolate for mom and dad.

Let me summarize by saying that we cannot wait until Halloween 2009. Andrew is hooked and it will be so much fun.

Andrew's First Pumpkin Carving

We had not tried carving a "punkin" (aka pumpkin) with Andrew yet. We thought this would be the year. As you can tell from the posts, we've had a busy October and it wouldn't be one of my activities if it wasn't the last minute. Maybe a new tradition "Halloween eve pumpkin carving".

Scott and Andrew decided they wanted a scary pumpkin. Andrew lasted for a little while and we heard a lot of "ewhs" as Scott was taking out the "guts". Andrew did help with that and loved it. But once the knife came out to carve the design, Andrew's attention span was gone. The cool part was over and he was on to something else.

Scott finished the pumpkin by himself - actually with Bailey, the dog, keeping him company. Of course, also in true Michelle form, I forgot we needed a candle and had to drive to the store quickly!

The guys and Bailey before their project.

Andrew's digging in!

Please look at the expression on Andrew's face. He is really telling Mommy and Luke all about "punkin" carving.

The finished product - after I bought the candle. :-)

Wish you were here Friday night to see it! Andrew is VERY proud of his jack-o-lantern.

Andrew's last soccer class

This is a little late but Andrew's last soccer class was October 20th. Of course, my camera's battery died after about 5 pictures but here are a few. He did well. We hope there is another class in the spring. Andrew can't wait to show you his "moves" and tell you about Coach Vince.

Andrew in action.

Andrew being silly. Go figure...
Listening to Coach Vince. Maybe Mom and Dad need "coach" in front of their name...

Luke enjoyed the class as well. Ha!

Forrest and Will's birthday

Saturday, we went to the Train Museum for Forrest (5) and Will's (3) birthday party. Georgia had the big game that day against LSU and Forrest and Will's dad went to LSU. With that, Andrew HAD to wear is Georgia football jersery.

Andrew had a great time running through and around all of the trains. We took a ton of pictures but here are a few.

The birthday boys! Forrest is on the left and Will is in the middle.

Look at me!

Think he's a momma's boy? We do have the same smile.This is the train we rode.

Andrew says the horn is TOO loud! Choo! Choo!

Doesn't Andrew look Presidential?

Look who's driving the train!

Luke really did attend the party - his first birthday party! He slept most of the party. Go figure!

Sunday, we all went to church. Luke sat through "big church" and never woke up - even with a lady singing VERY loud. I couldn't believe it. This coming Sunday will be his first in the nursery at church. Fun times. I'm sure we'll have a picture! :-)

Georgia Acquarium

Last Friday, we had a family fun day at the Georgia Acquarium. That place is amazing! We were bummed that the penguins were "on vacation" but apparently they are constructing an amazing dolphin exhibit that will open in 2010. Should be something! Andrew will tell you all about the sharks he saw (Bruce from Finding Nemo) and the stingrays (Mr. Ray again from Finding Nemo). There was a diver cleaning a tank. Andrew now says "when I get big, I want to be a diver." This is the first time he's said something like that. We'll see... Here are some pictures from our fun day.

This was Andrew when he wasn't running around. He spent most of the day yelling "Look Daddy!" I'm glad he saw Finding Nemo. He could identify so many of the fish from that movie.

Finally! A family shot with mom in it. One day we'll get all 4 of us.
Scott and Andrew touching sea otter skin (at least I think that is what that was).

Hello, Mr. Beluga Whale!
Wow! Look at all of the fish.
Look, it's Alex! We ran into one of Andrew's friends from school and church - Alex!

Giving Deepo a High Five!

The family with Deepo. Don't ask me what Andrew's face is all about.

We have more from the weekend but I'll post separately. Too many pictures!!!

Michelle

Luke is 2 months old!

I cannot believe that it's been 2 months since Luke was born! He's such a sweet baby. Here is his "birthday hat" picture from today. I was not successful in getting him to smile. Maybe he doesn't like the hat. Oh well - he has 10 more months of it (at least).

Lots of "firsts"

This past weekend was very busy for the Minor family. I actually canceled a few things so that we could relax a little. Saturday morning, Andrew and Scott went to the driving range with Scott's dad for the first time while Luke and I stayed home to do chores (unfortunately that was not the first time). I never left the kitchen and laundry room! How much fun does that sound? We did fit in another bath for Luke though.

Looking good...

Look at that form - Phil Mickelson, watch out!

Gramps giving Andrew his first lesson. I'm sure Andrew listened to every word. Ha!

Saturday night Andrew, Luke and I went to Boo at the Zoo for the first time with Ellen, Molly and Riley. The kids dress up in their costumes and trick-or-treat at the zoo. There are a few animals out and we rode the train and merry-go-round. Andrew would NOT get on one of the horses that move up and down. We had to sit in one of the seats. Luke was our excuse. It's now my mission to get Andrew on one of those horses. We will be going back!

Luke's 1st Halloween shirt

Andrew and Molly (she is Mulan)

Andrew and Riley (I think she is Belle? I dont' know princesses - I have boys!)

What a cute Superman!

Sitting on the merry-go-round. Luke's first ride.

Sunday was Luke's first time to church. Look at the cute outfit he is wearing from Mrs. Penny! We received MANY compliments. He slept through Sunday School and Scott brought him home after that. I taught in Andrew's class that day so we stayed. That's another story for another day.

My sweet baby! I love this picture. It's my favorite so far!

My sweet boys going to church!

I had a sorority alumnae event Sunday afternoon - no pics but it was fun. Then I took Andrew to a birthday party. It was so funny! He was one of only 2 boys at the princess-themed party - Andrew's first Cinderella party. Honestly, I don't think he even noticed. He kicked the soccer balls and threw the football almost the entire time. He was checking out Cinderella though.

Andrew playing football. That's my boy!



Andrew did let Cinderella paint his face. He asked her if she had any "boy pictures". He chose a basketball. He told Cinderella that rainbows were for girls.





Andrew and Gibbs (the other boy at the party) checking out Cinderella from afar. Look at all of the princesses!

Lauryn (the birthday girl and dressed as Cinderella) sat with Andrew rather than the other princesses. That was pretty funny. I guess Andrew was her prince charming!

If anyone is looking at this, Andrew would like one of these for Christmas!

What a great weekend! Andrew had so much fun. Not much going on this week but Andrew does have his last soccer class. Next weekend we have another birthday party but not much else. Yea! Maybe we can relax some and prepare for Halloween!