Ceramic Tree

I'm on a hunt for this...

Well not EXACTLY this, but a little similar. You may think, eeeewwww, why would she want something like that?" As a matter of fact, I am looking for a tree like this one, that is solid white with colored bulbs or birds, and a yellow-goldish colored star at the top. Why? Oh, you guys know me, "Mrs. Old-fashioned, nostalgic, full of memories momma's" grandmother used to house one in her den every Christmas, and I am dying to have one JUST like it! That little old tree that used to sit on a round table in front of my grandparent's sliding-glass door kept me company every Christmas Eve as I slept on the couch waiting for Santa. I can still hear the clock ticking, the gas stove in the bedroom and see the fogged up window with the security light shining through it as I am lying there on the couch, unable to fall asleep and staring at that tree! I want! I want! I want!!! hehe So, I am on the lookout. If any one can help locate someone who makes them, I would be very appreciative! Oh, and it just occured to me that I now have a one year old and that I must get some colored C9 bulbs for my tree this year....it is a must! I love memories! Next on my list: bubble lights to keep my Radkos company.

Family Fall Fest

Tonight our church held its annual Family Fall Fest at our FLC. It seems like yesterday when we were attending fall fest, pushing Mills around in his stroller...lobster costume and all. It was actually fun tonight as we watched Mills run from here to there in his elephant costume. I think he had a lot of fun. The gym was packed with carnival games, a bounce house and slide, popcorn, cotton candy, etc. Tonight they served chili dogs and cupcakes as well. Mills even tried his hand at a few carnival games. He will be ready to play them all by himself in no time!

watching the "toy walk." The toy walk is like a "cake walk"

and...he's...OFF!

Mills wanted to play the bean bag toss, so we let him give it a go

He did awesome! Put it right in the hole. Not bad for a 14 month old!

Oh, and check out that "bottom!" Mills wore this costume to a birthday party last weekend and his friend Mary Claire kept saying, "Him has a tail!" It was the cutest :)

Mills and Daddy fishing for toys. This was too fun! It reminds me of the move "Pollyanna."

Mills caught some scoops toys. Perfect for the tub!

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Pumpkin Carving

Today was the big day for our first annual "Family" pumpkin carving. I usually carve a few each year, but this year was special, since we now have our Mills to help. Growing up, we carved a pumpkin every year. I always looked forward to it! I remember sitting at the kitchen counter, scooping out the nasty pumpkin guts, and "helping" my mom carve with the big stainless steel knife. These days, we don't use a knife. I opt for buying the pumpkin carving kits with the little saws which make things MUCH easier. We only carved 3 out of the 4 I had planned on doing today. This mama's hands are stained with orange, cut and callused, so I'd figure we would take a break. I plan on making Mills a pumpkin carving pro, but for now, we're still working on saying, "trick-or-treat!"

Learning from Daddy

Scooping the seeds







Dumping the seeds

Giving Daddy a thank you hug!


Our finished pumpkins....

a "kitty-kitty", "MILLS", and a "jack-o-lantern"

Daddy's Boots

Those are some big shoes to fill, but I'm sure that this little one will grow right into them.


This evening I caught Mills trying to put E's boots on. He was trying and trying, but just couldn't get them on. So, with a little help, he was wearing daddy's boots in no time. I should have grabbed the video camera, but with dinner on the stove, and camera in hand, this is what we managed to get of it. He was hopping, bouncing, and then tried to walk in them. He loves daddy's boots!
*We will be retiring the Super Man PJ's after tonight :( He is growing too fast. Erik bathed him for me tonight and put them on him...notice the belly! ha!

Two Friends and a Spoon

Need a caterer??? Let Mills' "Gammy", Donna, and Ms. Brenda, also known as "Two Friends and a Spoon," cater your event!!!

Click HERE to go to their website!

Brenda and Donna

Look Who's Talkin'

I thought he'd never say anything other than "Hey!" or "Daddy." Finally in the past 24 hours, we have three new words/phrases. Woa! We have "nye-nye" (night night!) when we put him to bed. Today when I picked him up from Mimi's, he was standing at the glass door pointing to the cat saying "kit-ty...meow" over and over, and finally tonight while playing with the phone, he says, "Hey daddy, doin?" Hmmmm. I wonder if its like walking? Once it starts, it never stops! Nevertheless, I am relieved!

Pumpkin Patch

Mills and I made a trip to Priddy Farms today for a few minutes of pumpkin pickin'. I would have loved to have taken him to Cedar Hill Farms in Hernando, but wasn't willing to make the drive today. So, off to Arlington, we went. Mills had a ball. I couldn't keep up with him. He would run this way and that way, and was finding anything and everything he could get a hold of. Trying to pick a pumpkin, keep Mills from running off, and carry him AND the pumpkin back to the car was impossible, so, we "lifted" a wagon. I killed two birds with one stone and used the pumpkin cart wagon for both the pumpkin AND my child...hey, you have to do what you have to do.

Later we stopped for a quick visit at the Powell's. Mills loves dogs and they just happen to have 3, Callie, Domino, and Ellie. Ms. Sherri also has a fountain. Mills tried to climb in it, but luckily my quick, "NO!" stopped him.

Mills and Joey

What's going on in the heads of these two? Mills looks like he has an idea, and Joey is thinking..."Mom, what's he dooooooooing?"

Mills is learning that things have certain places, and things "do" certain things. He knows that his toothbrush brushes his teeth, and that his hair brush brushes his hair. He attempted to brush E's hair the other night, and today, he tried putting the hard hat on my head. Everything has a purpose and a place. This pic is a perfect example of Mills trying to put something where it goes....

Mills tried his best to put his hard-hat on Joey's head and of course, it kept falling off. So, with a little help from mama, we managed to get this dog ready for construction...

Poor dog! Isn't he just thrilled?

What is THIS?

If this is what fashion is returning to, uhhhhh Gap, No thanks!

This reminds me of the late 70s early 80s. I can just see Sue Ellen Ewing of Dallas, or Jaclyn Smith as Kelly Garret on Charlie's Angels. Yikes! Is it just me?

14 months

Mills, today, you are 14 months old. You are about to participate in your second Halloween, and it seems like yesterday when we were dressing you up in that silly little lobster bunting that you are going to one day be absolutely mad at me for; but that's okay. It was worth it. The weather is still warm and I am impatiently waiting the cooler temperatures. Your new selection of fall/winter clothes is ready and waiting, but its still too hot to put them to use. You are growing out of some of your summer clothes, and I am refusing to go and by bigger summer clothes...go figure.
You are still in a size 4 diaper
Shoe size: 4
Clothing:12-18 months
You could care less about talking, but when you do, we have no idea what you are saying until you point.
You are such a sweet boy...although you can throw one good fit. Mommy ignores it and you stop.
Naps: Still 2 a day; most of the time.
Bedtime: You absolutely refuse to be put down any later than 7:30-8:00 and you wake anywhere from 6:30-7:30. This morning it was waaaaay earlier. What's with that?
You love to copy cat and are getting better and better every day. This morning, we learned the signs for "out" and "head." We tried Jesus, but you thought I was clapping...I think. That's what you did instead of piercing your hands. I doubt you'll remember them tomorrow, but it was fun anyway.