Christmas Greetings!

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Pumpkin Patch

Every year we try to make it to Carroll's Pumpkin Farm.  We spent a free October Saturday there this year, it was crowded but still as much fun as always! Here are a few pictures from the afternoon:

What am I looking at?

Go Cardinals!

Riding the wagon to the pumpkin patch

The John Deere barn and track.

The big orange jumping pillow...

Riding the cow train...yee-haw!

Trent's Theory of Evolution

The day before last (doesn't that sound literary), the children and I were taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather by walking up to the bakery (how quaint) to purchase some bread bowls for dinner. (I made cheeseburger chowder, yum!) All of the kids were riding bikes and, as usual, I was at the back with Trent, reminding him to watch where he is going and warning innocent bystanders of his lack of control when pedaling and talking at the same time (he is always talking).  One such bystander was a nice gentleman who smiled at Trent and me and nodded politely.  He looked much like this: (SNL Alum - Chris Kattan)

 

As we passed by Trent (so innocently) says (in his only volume - loud), "Is dat a man or a montey ('monkey')?"  I'm going to hand it to him; the guy looked a lot like a monkey. This is not what was going through my head as I, mildly horrified, tried to ignore the question and keep him walking, hoping the (nice) guy couldn't hear, and if he did - couldn't understand, what Trent had said.  To my dismay Trent proceeded to talk (remember he always is) and saying such things as "A monkey man?" "How can a man be a monkey?".  At this point I am laughing (but trying to hold it in) so hard that I am crying and people are starting look at me in interest. I am trying to non-nonchalantly quiet him while dialing Dave - because I have got to tell someone!  We soon find ourselves caught up with the other kids and on to the bakery. I am still teary eyed and can't stop giggling at the thought of the classic kid moment.

The Amazing Trent

12:15 pm - Mom changes Trent's diaper and he notes "Uh oh, its da wast one!" She responds, "Yep, we'll have to run to the store to get more!" (Tess overhears this.)
4:30 pm - Trent has a poopy diaper.  We have not been to the store.
4:45 pm - Mom comes back inside from running egg shells to the compost pile. (Yes, she knowingly left him poopy for 15 minutes while she finished dinner...appalling, I know.) The following ensues:

Mom: Come on Trent, let's go change your diaper.
Tess: Did you just come back from the store? (Noting I was coming from outside)
Mom: No, I just put egg shells in the compost bin.
Trent: You made diapers out of eggs?

Fall photos...

Labor Day weekend we spruced up the front yard
with a little retaining wall action and some hostas.  

Kids raided the recycling bin for some creative fun.

At the Central Homecoming game.
Next year will be our 10 year reunion!!!

The little guys and I joined Titus and Tess' classes
 on the "Start Somewhere Walk"

Trace, Tess and her good friend
just before heading back to school on the walk.

Titus receiving his Bible
at the 2nd grade Bible ceremony at church.

Who is Scott?

Okay, for those of you who don't know.  Scott is Dave's cousin who lives with us.  He's 24 (almost) and came out in April to work for Dave at Koopman.  We love him to pieces and he is a big help with the kids and meals and anything else.  He is spending some time with his brother in St. Louis for a couple of weeks and we can't wait to have him back.   We are really blessed to be sharing this stage of his life with him...however long it lasts!

Keepin' Up

Here's just a quick update on some recent happenings.
  Titus is doing well in school and is working toward a LEGO Mindstorms set. He earns squares on a goal sheet for school work and  he (we) had an apple cider stand in late September to help kick off his saving. He is also doing flag football and Dave is coaching.  A fun time for them both!

                          

Trent is still boycotting potty training, and I am okay with that. Once we are hunkered down for the winter we may give it another old college try - but until then, we'll survive. And my gag reflex will continue to get a workout. :) He also helped himself to a cup of chocolate syrup this morning. Keeps me on my toes!

Here he is after a hot fudge sundae :)

Trace and I spent some time this morning looking for a lost library book (grrrr...).  We pulled the couch out and saw a glue mouse trap.  Trace said "I'm going to put this [something random] right by it so the mouse (which has already been caught) will trip and fall into the mouse pool." He turns to me and whispers, "I call it a mouse pool so the mouse won't know it's a trap."  Love it. Trace is into anything Titus is into. Same breakfast choices, same color shirt - they have been real pals lately, which is quite a switch - a welcome one.

Tess and I went to a play on Saturday at the DSM Playhouse.  It was Anne of Green Gables - possibly my favorite story. I have a hard time watching plays objectively - always a critic, I guess. On the way home I was trying really hard not to give my opinion before knowing Tess'.  I asked her what she thought.  She said she liked it.  I commented "It was not very exciting but it was nice wasn't it?" She rightly stated, "Those people worked really hard on it and they did a good job."  How right. She's a good one.

As I said, Anne of Green Gables has long been one of my all time favorite movies (the whole series). I haven't, however, read the books.  Since they grace the shelves of my front room hutch, I've decided this will be my winter reading selection.  Excited for that.

Dave was on the road to Ohio early this week and Scott is in St. Louis for a few weeks,  so I had some quiet evenings.  Took the opportunity to watch a couple of chick flicks - Ballet Shoes and a new Jane Eyre.  Both were quite enjoyable...and available on Netflix streaming if you are interested.

That's a quick update of us...off to make lunch before heading off to teach. Happy Wednesday!

Off and Blogging!!

Welcome to the official Hopkins Family blog!  Stop by often to see what we have been up to.  Here will be the place we post our pictures and share information about what's happening in our family! This will take the place of Brystal's facebook account which will be deleted in a few days.  So, become a follower of the blog to keep up with us!