Tonight was our anual pumpkin carving with Tatum! Carson was already asleep for the night, but look for Halloween pictures coming soon. I am having Tatum dress up like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and Carson is going to be a lion. It should be a lot of fun. Tatum loves halloween, loves pumpkins and loves CANDY! She is trying to hide the fact that she has some candy corn hidden in her mouth while this picture is being taken!

Tatum having a look inside her baby pumpkin! We asked her what we should call her pumkin this year, and she announced the her "Rodney's Orange". For an entire year, she has called anything orange Rodney, so we've been working on the color orange. ANYWAY, the way she pronounces orange is "Owen" and it came out Rodney Owen. So she named her little pumpkin Rodney Owen. Here are some photos of carving time!

Dad working his magic...

This was Tatum's face she made when Dad finally finished carving out Rodney Owen's face. She just loves pumpkins for some reason. It has been going on since last Halloween. Tatum's so funny!

Cheese!

Giving Rodney Owen a big kiss...

Smile for the camera, Rodney Owen!

Rodney Owen finally comes to life!

Tatum was all smiles tonight. Her favorite things in the WORLD are pumpkins!

Rodney Owen settled into his fall home out on the porch!

We took some family pictures before church today. Carson wouldn't let go of his toothbrush and was a bit grumpy....but such is life!

DADDY'S HOME!!!

Well, all things come to an end...which is great news when it comes to a deployment! Ned finally made it home and we are thrilled to have him back. It was a great experience for the kids to pick Daddy up at the airport and take him back home. Ned and I had both changed a bit, so we almost didn't recognize one another at the airport! But it's been wonderful having him home and with us to enjoy the rest of fall. I haven't been as good at taking pictures since he's been back, but here are some from the day we picked him up and Tatum's birthday party!

Tatum had a great birthday and Dad was here to celebrate! For months, Tatum had been asking for a mermaid cake, so I did the best i coul! She had a blast eating cake, opening presents, the whole deal. It was great! And of course, Daddy was the best present of all!

Our big 3 year old!

Well, today was one of the LAST days without Dad home. I am so proud of the kids for being such big helpers...so I treated them to a Dairy Queen Bannana split. Mom ate the bannana part, Tatum ate the ice cream part, and Carson pretty much took whatever he could get! Gotta love that kid...Anyway we had a good time. Tatum and Carson are so excited to see Dad!! Here are some pictures of our ice cream party.

Sweets for my sweet!

Mom, you're too good to me!

Tatum giving Carson a kiss...Carson only wanting more ice cream!

Yummy!

Post ice cream bliss!

Art time!

Here's Tatum enjoying an unofficial birthday treat. She really had a great day today and will be so excited to share her birthday with Daddy...even if it's a few days late! We love you, Tatum. Thanks for joining our family!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TATUM! Well, our birthday week woulnd't be complete without Tatum's special day! Although we didn't tell her today was her birthday, we're waiting just a bit longer to let Dad join in on the fun. We did, however, have a great day and did a lot of special things. I was at a thrift store on base today and found a bag of 6 Mr. Potatoe Head dolls with probably 50 little peices. Tatum loved them and has now found a new favorite toy. She ironicly decided to have "birthday party" with her dolls. It was so cute.