Happy Halloween!

This past Sunday was my moms groups annual Halloween Party! Aidan tested out his Halloween costume and looked too cute!! Can you see what he is??

Aidan on the hunt for his pumpkin!

Sunday night after the party, we can home and carved our pumpkins! Aidan decorated his with some spooky Halloween stickers I bought him.

Doing it by himself....

Aidan's pumpkin!!

After Aidan went to bed, James and I each carved our own pumpkin....

Our pumpkins! (Mine, James', and Aidan's)

Visit to Hill Ridge Farms Pumpkin Patch

We took Aidan to a pumpkin patch for the first time this year! Hill Ridge Farms is a great pumpkin patch that offers hay rides, a corn pit, train rides, animal coral, a hay maze, and of course, funnel cakes! Mmmm.... We had a great day with perfect weather. This will definitely become a Brogdon family tradition!

With our friends Meredith and Peyton!

Aidan showing Peyton some affection.

Had to get the dads too!

Walking through the hay maze. It is so fun doing stuff like this now that Aidan is walking and exploring his world!

Playing in the corn pit. James and I were able to get in with Aidan. This is such a neat idea and was a lot of fun! We came home and found corn hiding in interesting places!

Hayride!! Aidan looks like such a little boy here. He isn't my "baby" anymore....

The search is on.....

I like this one!!!

"Ok, I am ready! Can I take all these home?"

Fun Weekends with the Family

Our library had a special Rhyme Time this past Saturday so dads could go. This is the first time James has been. I think he was pretty amused. When I asked him what he thought later that day, he said it was kind of "cult-ish". I can only imagine in the eyes of a dad, how funny it must look at first. A room full of moms and toddlers signing together songs about shaking our sillies out and some guy named Willaby Wallaby. But I have to say, I did catch him signing a long a few times. I do think the whole experience rubbed off on him. Last night when I turned on the Wiggles (the show where many of the songs we know are from) James even started dancing! At first it was really funny. Then a few minutes later, Aidan and I were dancing together in the living room, I turned around and James was in the kitchen doing the "robot"!! Ha, ha. Sorry honey, your secret is out!!

Aidan and James at the library.

Fall is here! Saturday after the library, we went over to the Yates' house. Meredith and I took the boys for a nice wagon ride while James and Marshal watched football (are you surprised).

Nicholas Sparks came to Raleigh last week for a book signing like he does every year. The signing wasn't scheduled to start until 7pm, but mom and I went around noon to see if he happened to show up early, as he normally does. After waiting for 2 hours in Barnes and Nobel, we finally got our new books signed and a picture!

Haley started her freshman year in High School this year! Scary, I know! She made the JV Volleyball team (pictures coming soon). Maaco became a sponsor for the High School's Athletic Department. As a thanks to sponsors, the school gives them passes to all the home athletic games. We have been able to attend the Volleyball games without paying admission, which works out well when Aidan decides he wants to leave early. We also have gone to two Friday night football games as a family! This past Friday was Sponsor Appreciation Night. Before the game they catered food for all the sponsors and had a recognition ceremony during half time. We actually stayed for the entire game! For the last quarter of the game Aidan slept in mom's arms as she rocked him. He has not fallen asleep like that in months!

Dad showed up at the game very early to get prime parking. He is parked about 50 feet from the main gate here. Every person who came to the game had to pass the "Maaco Mobile" to get in.

Aidan enjoyed his pizza when the game started. This kept him busy for an entire quarter!

Dad ordered everyone matching Maaco shirts. Corey looks like he is having a blast, doesn't he?

The Maaco clan.

The following day, we participated in the "Walk to Cure Lupus", in support our good friend Kathy. There was a great turnout of families from the mom's group who have grown close over the past year. After the walk, we went to Kathy and Todd's for a cookout.

This is why Peyton loves me. I give him cookies!!

Notice Aidan's arm, like clockwork.

Aidan sharing his cookie with his dad.

Last week was rough for Aidan. He came down with a fever which highest spike was 104.2. After visiting the doctor twice, many calls to the advice nurse, and 3 sleepless nights, they were able to see uclers on the back of his throat. He would not eat or drink for days. Needless to say he did not see any of his friends for a week and was forced to stay home all week with his mom. By the 3rd day, I think he was tired of me and very bored! Meredith sent us a video of Peyton dancing one morning that she posted on YouTube. Aidan seriously watched it 10 times, over and over. He would look at the computer and laugh. I know he did not understand why his friend was in our computer, but all that mattered was that he saw another person besides his mom!

Frye Family Reunion in the Tennessee Mountains

In the beginning of September we took a trip to the Tennessee Mountains for the Frye Family Reunion. It was a special trip and something new then we had done in the past. Uncle Bob found a great cabin that slept 25, so we all could stay at the same place! We had a house full of family including; Papa and Grandma; Aunt Sue, Kara, Rich, Ryan and Jake; Uncle Bob, Aunt Katie, Taylor and Zach; Mom, Dad, Haley, Timmy and Corey; and James, Aidan and I. We missed everyone else who could not make it, and hope everyone can make the next one!! We left on Thursday night and drove for 4 hours, just outside of Ashville, NC. Then we got up the next morning and made the remaining 4 hour drive. We actually stayed in a town not too far from James parents so we were able to meet them for breakfast Friday morning. They kept Princess Roxy while we were at the cabin! We had a fun weekend full of late night talks on the deck, hanging out by the camp fire and in the hot tub, games of "Shut the Box", and of course football! Ryan and Rich went fishing and Ryan caught some fish, but I don't think his dad did. :( Maybe next time Rich!! Enjoy the pictures:

On the day we left we all met at Maaco. All the kids wanted to ride with James and I, so we drove the Suburban. Mom and Dad drove our car after a little "bend in the road" kept them from taking mom's jeep. (Still a sensitive subject, but you can ask Haley what happened!) While I was loading the car, Aidan was sitting my the door watching me make trips. When I came back in, he had not only found a snack bag, but opened it, emptied if all over the floor, and helped himself to some goldfish. The look on his face was priceless!

Kara and I when we got to the cabin!

Aidan and Jake were able to spend some time together finally! The last time they were together they were barely even sitting! Their bath was very entertaining.

Enjoying the camp fire Rich made us!

Uncle Corey and James hung out with Aidan a lot so I could visit! They didn't mind. Here they are watching a football game!

Timmy and Ryan playing Shut the Box. This was a popular game over the weekend.

Aunt Sue playing....Shut the Box.....

Grandma's turn! I think she won every single game!