The new Sears catalog

I remember awaiting the Sears catalog so I could put my mark on each and everything I wanted from Santa - I hope the boys will have similar memories of the Target catalog! They each had a copy and marked like crazy last week - of course many of the toys Carter marked Lincoln had to mark for himself. Tonight we downloaded some holiday tunes - I guess this is the unofficial kick off to the Christmas Season! Doing my very best already to make it stress free by planning ahead - let's hope my plans work & it is STRESS FREE!

Baby E!

Elin is growing & a fun little addition to the Hogan family. Carter & Charlee didn't think she was swinging fast enough so they gave her swing some extra speed! I wanted to stop them but she was giggling so much I couldn't! Isn't she a cute little thing?

Animal family

We have to spend time with our animal family as well - Linc has been certified as a Red Dog caretaker. The boys begged and begged to bring Smokey the cat home - so much that I almost asked Sean but she's better of with GGma and Don and Babe - so don't get any ideas you two! The bottom pictures is likely to be Mimi's ONLY picture with Linc in Packer gear - ever!

My Grandpa is 90! (well, almost)

One of our major reasons for trekking to Iowa was that there was a little surprise party for my Grandpa who will turn 90 in December. He is one amazing 90 year old - he and Garnett still drive to South Dakota from Arkansas in two days for their annual chiropractic adjustment. He's had to give up some of his activities in the last few years - golfing as he couldn't see the ball so well any longer, fishing - too much work to get the boat out but still plays some mean cards a few times a week. They summer in Wisconsin to catch up with all of the friends and family there - I hope to be doing so well in 60 years!

The Frog Celebrates 30!

Yep, get your reading glasses on - we've been to Iowa so there is blogging to do! We made it for The Fickle Frog's Christmas Show this year - it looks awesome at the Frog! The leopard walls, the polka dot baby grand, the zebra ceiling - full of inspiration & fun shopping too! Congrats Donna on 30 years! Too bad their isn't a pictorial history of the 30 years - there are lots of memories in those years and that shop!

Not too shabby of a school picture for a boy who took a face first fall the weekend before! You can see his lip is swollen a bit and kind of scratched but not horribly and not quiet as entertaining as last years picture with the tie & the smile!

He got a glowing review at his parent teacher conference from his teacher - so very proud of him!

Halloween

last post, I promise (then October is covered!). We had a great little trick-or-treat in the neighborhood & I've been more interested in the boys' candy than they have - I guess that is a mostly successful Halloween! The boys insisted on making a pumpkin family in the front of the house - I think it is a bit bigger than our family!

Happy 4!

It's official, our baby is 4! He had a fun weekend with Mimi and we got back in time to celebrate the day with him & give him his new bike on which he goes WAY too fast! Linc keeps life interesting - he's at such a fun age learning and changing every day. We love you Linc-a-doodle!

Jeff & Brenda

Brad & Jamie

The big people got to have some fun this weekend, with a weekend away in Dallas to celebrate Shawn & Sheena's wedding! Maybe a little too much fun for us getting old people - Sean and I both got out of the car on Sunday and couldn't believe how badly our joints hurt - that seems to be a sure sign of aging! Thanks mom for staying with the boys - they had a great time & so did we!

Birthday bowling

(yep, that is the pouting - even took his shoes off because he was mad!)

We had a little bowling birthday party for Lincoln - his only two requirement - Molly & Kayla! The kids had fun - the parents might have been exhausted from one round of bowling!

Just a couple of silly pictures - Sean found Carter curled up in his chair one night & Lincoln dancing in his spider hat!

A play date with Kayla & Kitty

Lincoln's little buddy, Kayla came over for a play date and they played with Ms. Kitty the entire time - yep, he's attempting to measure her!

Science Museum

Carter was inside the capsule - above is the monitor!

We followed the Zoo & Children's Museum up with the Science Museum! Yep, I'm crazy! Good to get to see some of our school friends outside of school.

Children's Museum

Sean took a day off from work to play with us on the boys' fall break - this is a first & was a fun day. We went to Seminole to the Jasmin Moran Children's Museum - such a great place to play as a family. Linc loved the bubble area - who doesn't love to fling bubble material around & Carter "liked everything!".

Zoo Trip

Whew, behind again & been an eventful couple of weeks - I'm hoping to get caught up on my blogging and picture posting today which might be a big challenge for me! These are from Carter's trip to the Zoo a few weeks ago - I had he and his buddy, Aiden to explore the zoo with - they had fun but were more interested in playing around than any of the animals! Lincoln got to spend the day with his BFF's Molly, Becky & Luke - thanks again, Stropes!