What a fun week! Actually, some of this is bits and pieces from previous weeks, but I am just remembering them now. 

Saturday was probably the highlight for the boys. Our local fire station had an open house and we were all over that one! The boys got to spray the water hose, climb inside a fire engine, eat cookies in the station, and J-Man even got to wear the fireman gear. His firetruck obsession is nearing its one year anniversary. I collected some extra freebie hats laying around just in case he decides to have another firetruck birthday in January.

Speaking of firetrucks, I have included a pic of James in the infamous wood firetruck at Cornbelly's. This is a new addition as of this year and there's a story to how we came to discover it...
Mike and I were playing on the hay bail hill with the boys when before we know it, James has Disappeared. Daniel is always running off. But James is our puppy who does not stray more than 20 feet from us. We kind of freaked out, especially as it was right after sunset and getting dark fast. We had them page for a lost kid and we both walked around in different directions looking for him. My hormones kind of took over and all I could picture was my little buddy either wandering lost and afraid in the dark corn field or already on the freeway in the white van of some psychopath.
Finally, after wandering, searching, and calling his name, we both found him-- happy as a clam-- by this darn fire truck that was probably only 30 feet from the hay hill.
Needless to say, it is now the first and only thing James cares to see every time we go back.

As I've previously mentioned, James has been such a delight since growing out of the terrible two's. He is a Gift. He is tender, funny, and does/says the cutest little things. Here are a few:
-- He calls the living room the "talking room"
-- He loves music and singing and no matter what song he's singing, it typically ends in "all day long"
Example: "Mary had a little lamb... all day long" based on his favorite song alteration, "The Wheels on the Firetruck... all day long."
-- He may be permanently scarred as a farm boy as he randomly says "Bawk, bawk" when he's excited or in a goofy mood
-- He is so loving. He loves to give hugs. Especially to Daniel. And at least daily he says: "I love you Mommy, or "Daddy, I like you so, so, so much!"

Other tidbits from the week:
- Mike and I were able to go on a date (and Finally see Captain America) thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for watching them and braving a house full of grandkids for an evening/ night.
- We have LOVED the Fall with the crisp air, changing leaves, windows open, nice days at the park, etc.
- I've been reading the new Relief Society book and am loving every page of it
- I got a new calling which I am so excited about: Nursery Leader. I'm not even kidding. I've been in there for a year, but as the leader. Today was my first day of implementing a schedule, separating the children by age, and having a meeting to discuss how things are gonna be run these days :)
- James rode his bike all the way to the park yesterday-- 1 1/2 miles. Way to go Big kiddo!
- Daniel is the cutest little critter. He continues to crack me up and to take catch me off guard. The thing that has especially stood out this week is the creativity of sleeping positions he gets himself into: Kneeling on the floor with his face in the mattress, curled up with James in his little bed, on his back with legs in Indian style, curled up in the corner of his room, half of his body in bed with the other half hanging off, etc. He's always been a great sleeper, but not so much great to sleep with. Cute Little Buddy!