Up To The Gills

Up To The Gills

Monday, October 31, 2011

Putting a Little Gravel in Our Travel

I've been cooped up, tied down, about forgotten

What a field looks like, full of corn and cotton


If I'm gonna hit a traffic jam


Well, it better be a tractor man


So sick and tired of this interstate system


I need a curvin', windin', twistin'


Dusty path to nowhere


With the wind blowing through my baby's hair


And it makes me wanna take a back road


Makes me wanna take the long way home


Put a little gravel in my travel


Unwind, unravel all night long


Makes me wanna grab my honey


Tear down some two lane country, who knows


Get lost and get right with my soul


Makes me wanna take, makes me wanna take a back road


Rodney Atkins' song, Take a Back Road, seemed fitting for our pictures from our weekend at the hunting camp!  We had a great time and can't wait to return!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Halloween Fun...take one

Our Halloween fun began yesterday when I took William and John to storytime at the library for some Halloween stories and a little trick-or-treating at the circulation desks!

It started out a little bumpy when William took a spill in his firefighter boots.  He got quite a scratch on his knee and subsequently was not in the mood for the library!  Oh well, we made it through!  John, as always, was a trooper!


Today brought school parties for Philip and Daniel.  First, Philip...a Halloween parade!


And then a party in his classroom!


Philip and his Star Wars friend, Reid

Philip and his almost twin, Jonah



When Philip's party ended, we headed to Westminister for Daniel's Halloween party.  No costumes for him today...that comes on Monday!  He had pizza, a story, and then he got to decorate his own cupcake!



John was along for the ride for each of the parties...William thankfully was at Mom's Day Out!  (His Halloween party is on Monday!)  Lots of fun to be with the boys today.  We are looking forward to trick-or-treating on Monday.  Back with more Halloween party updates and pictures then!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Camera Phone Dump

Here's some fun shots from my phone that I thought were worth sharing!


This is William at Pollman's.  We shop there every Monday to get sliced ham.  We went in this particular Monday in our Halloween "boo" outfit.  The ladies gave him this ghost cookie to match!

 

Got the Bumbo seat out of the attic for John...so far Daniel is the only one to sit in it!  Can you see John laughing at him in the background??


Have I introduced you to 'Baby' yet?  William got Baby at Mom and Dad's house...one of our old Cabbage Patch dolls.  He loves Baby lots....he sleeps with him at night and often demands that Baby have a burp cloth just like John.  I've even caught him doing 'tummy time' with Baby.  Ask if it's a boy or a girl and William replies "just Baby."  Here's Baby with baby John John!


A Friday afternoon treat...ice cream at Cream and Sugar.  Mom and I enjoyed coffee and cake while William and Daniel had ice cream!


Philip and Daniel's new afternoon past-time...hunting on the large yard trash pile.  How sad they will be after trash pick-up next Tuesday!


This guy had Monday off from school...William and Daniel went to school.  When I asked Philip what he wanted to do, he told me go to the bookstore and get lunch at Firehouse!  It was fun to have the morning with just him and John!


Walking home from a picnic lunch at GranGran's, William ran ahead of the stroller. He constantly turned around and asked, "You right behind me, Momma." Yea, buddy, I'm right behind you for the rest of your life!



Happy Friday!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Fall Festival

Friday night we all went to Daniel's pre-school, Westminister, for their annual fall festival.  The boys dressed in their costumes before leaving...

Figherfighter William, Captain Rex Daniel, Dalamation John, and ARF Trooper Philip


We ate hot dogs and played some carnival games.



Daniel got to see some of his buddies...


Philip got to see lots of his friends from Westminister last year...


William loved the hayride...


and John loved the free ride!


It was a fun night.  Chris and I were pretty tired from our busy week, so we decided to skip Seward Farms on Saturday.  Instead, we spent lots of time outside...bike riding, running (preparing for Philip's 'marathon' in January), and doing yard work.  Chris trimmed lots of bushes, so Philip decided to do the same in the backyard.  He told me that he was creating a path so they could have privacy when using the bathroom outside!! 

Oh the joy of boys!!

Friday, October 14, 2011

A Busy Week

Wow...what a week it's been.  There's been a field trip for Daniel, playdate for William, Book Fair for Philip, Philip's week as "Cotton's Cutie Pie" which involved gathering pictures and other things to show his friends and a special snack for the class, a dinner party for ten guests, singing on the red steps, and a Daddy that traveled for four days!  We survived.  Many thanks to those of you that called to check on us while Daddy was away.  We aren't used to him traveleing, but we did great!

Last night I somehow pulled off a dinner for some church friends and out-of-town guests.  It was quite comical leading up to the event.  I worked hard to have the house cleaned, dinner prepared, etc., but let's face it that 5-7 pm time around here is crazy.  I read the boys bedtime stories while they had a picnic dinner on the kitchen floor and I nursed John.  I wiped two bottoms, gave a lost pizza man directions to a neighbor's house, lit candles, and pulled out an appetizer all in a five minutes time.  But by the grace of God, when my guests (and Chris) arrived at 6:45, the house was ready and the boys were spotless.  The grins on their faces as they saw their Daddy for the first time in four days were priceless.  They got to give him a hug, say hello, and then they miraculously went straight to bed!!

We woke this morning early to prepare for Philip's first opportunity to sing on the red steps.  This event is big at St. Paul's!  I remember doing it many years ago myself!  I almost got a little teary hearing all those (PK-2nd grade) children singing in their sweet voices. 

Daniel, William, and John were great throughout the chapel service.  I couldn't see Philip very well, but I'll share a few shots from the day.  (The kids are out of uniform for Homecoming!)


Well, the fun continues.  Tonight is Westminister's Fall Festival, so we'll be dressing up in our costumes to go play some carnival games.  Then, Daddy mentioned making our yearly trek out to Seward Farms on Saturday, so stay posted for more Gill fun!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Daniel's First Field Trip

Today John and I visited the pumpkin patch with Daniel's class.  It was Daniel's first field trip and was tons of fun!

We started with a story...read by our friend Mrs. Lynn!


While Daniel listened to the story, John and I snuck off for a few pumpkin pictures!


Then we were off to find our very own pumpkin.



I love field trips because it gives me a glimpse into the boys' life at school.  I love seeing Daniel with his friends!


A great fall day!