The Haunted Museum

We had another one of our museum misadventures for the record books.  Last week I wanted to get out of the house, so I pushed the attractions button on our gps.   The National Museum of Funeral History came up as the closest.  I thought it would help us get into the Halloween spirit so I packed up the kiddos and drove ten minutes to the museum.   My first clue that it wasn’t a typical tourist spot was when I pulled into a huge empty parking lot.  We paid and the curator led us into a cold dark room full of hearses.   James clung tightly to my skirt and I immediately got goose bumps.  I would have turned around and left if I didn’t just pay ten bucks.  Plus, I felt sorry that we were the only attendees and the museum workers were so excited to see us.  So I distracted James with some crayons in his stroller while I took a quick walk through the exhibits.  The collection of historical information, objects, and funeral mock ups was very impressive.  I quickly learned more than I ever wanted to know about the art of embalming, funerals of past presidents, and the history of the hearse.  I don’t think it was meant to be morbid, but the subject matter couldn’t help but be spooky.  And I think their interior designer was Morticia Adams.  I would have chosen a warmer color for walls and natural lighting from windows to offset all the black;)  If you are ever in Houston around Halloween and want to get in the ghoulish spirit, you should put it on your list.  But you will probably have to go alone, James and I will stick to the perky pumpkin patchJ

I thought James would at least enjoy this prototype of his favorite princess' coffin (circa 1940), but he was completely creeped out.

I didn't post half of my pictures because they were freaking me out while posting late last night.  Especially since Kimme told me Theresa Caputa says white lights in photos means there is a spirit posing.  I will probably be erasing this post after Halloween because I am not sure it is something I want to remember.  Happy Halloween family and friends.  I hope your jack o'lanterns burn bright and your kid's pillowcases runneth over with candy:)  Love, Jess

Pictures from the Pumpkin Patch...

Blessings from a Bootiful weekend:

An old fashioned church Halloween party.

James dressed up like a pirate and saying ARRR Matey.

Being able to button up a pair of my blue jeans for the first time since January.

A cold front from Salt Lake's storm bringing us sweater weather.

A package of homemade Halloween cookies sent from Uncle Terry and Aunt Lydia.

A sailing day in Kemah.

A phone call from my BFF.

My patient husband dealing with my changing hormones.

A long bath with baby Rissy.

Why We Are Falling For Fall....

 These four little feet (scrunching up their toes just like their daddy).

Feedings ducks at the pond.

Finally taking my Fourth of July decor down.

Fall fixings.  Nothing fancy but it is nice to finally turn on the oven again.

Wrinkled fingers from the pool.

Happy Fall y'all!  We hope you have a fabulous Friday.

Made with Love...

People have been so generous giving us lots of girly gifts.  I have all her clothes hanging in my closet because they make me so happy.  

Homemade gifts always have a special place in my heart because of the hard work that goes into them.  Above:  Aunt Laura has sent several of these cute crocheted blankets. First to James and now to Rissy.  I could write an entire post about our adventures with James's blankets.  I am sure Rissy will follow in her brother's footsteps and love them just as much.

Erin made these vintage pattern onsies.  They are adorable and take me back to my childhood.

Sister Curtis from church made this beautiful blanket.  It is large enough to cover our whole family and we have already spent many hours snuggling up in it. Thanks again for the gifts that have been sent!  I am having a blast dressing my little doll.  XOXO, Jess.

All Dressed Up With Nowhere To Go...

  I want to take Rissy out on the town and show her off, but we are too afraid of germs.  So, I am glad there are blogs so we can at least share pics with friends and fam.  Happy Friday everyone.  

Taking the Bait...

The advantages of working in Big Oil...everything is bigger.  John's company spoiled us with an all expense paid day at the Downtown Aquarium.  We enjoyed a smorgasbord of gourmet food, James came home with more carnival toys than he could carry, and since the park was rented out for John's group, we were able to stay on the rides until we were dizzy.  

It was a fun day of living large for this more conservative crew.  And a day well deserved for daddy since he has been working around the clock in the corporate shark tank, so to say.  I am just worried James is going to be ruined.  The free splash pad we used to hit up out front just isn't going to be the same now that he knows what lies behind the glittery gates.  Maybe one day when our "ship comes in" we will go again:) 

James is Three!

We just celebrated James's birthday.  He turned three on October 11th.

We kept it pretty low key with:
 a cupcake for breakfast,
presents from the grandparents,
throwing a dollar worth of pennies in a fountain,
a Spider-man fort,
and a shopping trip to pick out his favorite birthday foods.

We love James more than we can express.  Here are a few of the reasons:

He is very generous with his kisses.

Hates to sleep alone and crawls in bed with us every morning.

Loves to read books, King Bidgood's in the Bathtub is his new favorite.

He assigns who says the family prayers at dinner and at bed.

Prefers running to walking and can often be heard saying in any situation he has to sit still, "I wanna run."  

He loves all things superhero, but has a serious crush on all the Disney princesses especially Snow White.

He is great at impressions.  His best are Spider-man, a puppy dog, and a baby.

Works the remote and the computer better than his mama.

Great big brother to his sister Rissy.

Loves his grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles and knows most of them by name.

Getting By With a Little Help from My Friends...

We've been taken good care of by church members and friends bringing us yummy meals since my mom left.  Erin brought us this delicious dinner yesterday then we spent the morning chatting in my bedroom while our kiddos jumped on my unmade bed.  It made me think how I am going to yearn for these years later in life.

My fifteen minutes of quiet before John walked in from work.  I should have been trying to sleep while my babes' slept, but I was enjoying this sight (as well as the silence) too much.