There are times.....

Pumpkins: guts and gore

Our growing little family ventured down to the old pumpkin patch this past weekend and picked out this years jack-o-lantern victim. It was a grand ole time, the kids rode a train, played on the playground, rode little tractor tricycles, and of course picked out our pumpkins.

After we picked out those pumpkins we promptly took them home and cracked them open to make our stoop squatters.

Bull Riding

As you all know the kids are really into rodeo, especially the bull riding. So Jenni and I bought tickets to the PBR (that's Professional Bull Riding, not Pabst Blue Ribbon). It was two hours of bull riding that we all really enjoyed and we'll probably try it again next time the tour is in town.

Roller Skating

It's been a long time since we posted, but we've been super busy with many different projects and activities. One of the big projects is my goal to re-finish our basement. I don't know if you all know but last spring we got some water in the basement and it ruined the floors. Well, since we had to redo all the floors we went ahead and painted and replaced some trim and some other little things that we didn't like from the first time we finished the basement.

Well one night while I was cutting some trim Jenni decided to let Jonathon try out his roller skates that he got for his birthday. He put them on and in true boy fashion found the incline and started his stunts. Well, it only took one or two crashes for him to give that up and he passed the skates on Kayla. She did pretty well and really enjoyed skating, even with her new bruises.

MO dinos

Well, over this long holiday weekend we did not join the masses in migrating to the last vacation of the summer, but we did converge upon a local destination that claimed they have brought back dinosaurs to Missouri. Jonathon and Kayla decided that they would put off a trip to the zoo (one of thier favorite places) to go to Powell Gardens and hunt the elusive giant lizards. After the hour and a half drive we were successful.

We had a lot of fun, the place is of course one great big nature reserve and botanical garden and they sprinkle in around 15 different life size dinosaurs for the kids. It was a reasonably priced trip that would surely kill a few quality out door hours. We all enjoyed it until the very end when my babies got a little tired, you can tell in this family picture taken right outside the exit.

That picture led to a temper tamtrum for the entire 15 minute walk through the visitors center (because that's the only way out) and to the car. There were times that I wondered how long it would be before the police showed up to get me for kidnapping. And it was at times humorous as I walked past some folks with my screaming angel and said the simple phrase, "It's naptime" and I recieved a sympathetic nod as if they were saying, "we feel you brother, we've been there too." Regardless it was a great day at the park and a nap, of course, put my angel's halo back on.

New Baby Pictures

Okay, through the miracles of modern technology we are able to bring to you the very first photos of brand new Baby Rinehart. I know that most of you know that we are expecting, and for those that the info hasn't filtered too, I'm sorry you have just now found out.

Well we went to the doctor's office last friday and got the first pictures of our brand new baby, I have scanned the one picture that is easiest to see the profile of the face. And here it is.



And I'm sure that you can all tell that it is a beautiful baby girl.

GIRLS....sheesh

Tonight my little princess reminded me that I am no longer even remotely in charge of my house. After bath the little darlin' and I retreated to the living room to put on her pj's, while Jenni finished up brushing Jonathon's teeth. Well, the princess decided she didn't want daddy's help and threw a monster temper tantrum to get her mommy to help her. Daddy is a stubborn old fool and went ahead and dressed that screaming little angel. Well, as you can expect the tantrum got worse and she was placed back in her bedroom to finish crying. She just kept on screaming at me for helping her while Jenni and I moved into Jonathon's room to pick up all his toys so he can actually get into his bed. Soon we are visited by the little banshee....AND SHE IS NAKED AGAIN! She had taken off all her clothes and carried them right past me to Jenni and asked her in her cutest little voice, "Mommy, please help?" Jenni could barely do it she was laughing so hard, and I couldn't help but giggle as well. But seriously....she's only two, what am I going to do when she is a teenager!?