How quickly the years pass: Halloween Edition

Halloween 2006

(Sorry guys, couldn't help it.)

Halloween 2007

Halloween 2008

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2010

Trick or Treat!

Just wanted to share some pictures of the kids trick or treating. We were able to go with our cousins on Thursday night and tonight in our neighborhood.

A dragon, prisoner and super woman.

At our house, the dragon and princess fairy.

The loot.

One of two pieces of candy she was allowed to have.  But boy, was she on a sugar rush this evening.

Preschool Halloween Celebration

Today was Carter's Halloween celebration at school. 



Bat Hats and Treats, what more could a boy ask for?

Sitting with his class listening to a story.

Avey was not very excited to be confined to the stroller.  But she did enjoy the ice cream and story!

On tonight's agenda:  trick or treating with the cousins while dad is a bachelor at home.  Although secretly I think Dad enjoys the undisturbed XBox time.



Grandma and Grandbo's Fall Day

After the wedding we spent time at Grandma and Bo's house.  The kids had a ball playing outside, as you can see there is so much to do!

Leaves to walk through (and of course jump in!)

Hikes to take (binoculars are a must.)

Hammocks to pretend to sleep in.

Tractors to drive.

And wagon rides to take.

What a relaxing, fun fall day!

Another Wedding Tale

This past weekend we attended another wedding  up norh for Mike's friend from high school, Josh.  We had a fairly uneventful car ride on the way up and spent a wonderful weekend with Grandma and Bo (more pictures to come.)  But boy, the car ride home yesterday was a doozy.  It seems like our children think that we need to see one form of bodily excrement or another for every trip (note to the kids- this is NOT necessary.)  Around dinner time Avery became fussy and tired of being in the car so we decided to stop for dinner at a Bob Evan's.  Let's just say that dinner ended with Mommy running out of the restaurant with a little girl covered in vomit and a very dirty table, floor and high chair.  I'm pretty sure that we are never welcome back to that particular restaurant.  After this trip, it totally confirmed that we never want to take the kids anywhere ever again!  As much as I genuinely enjoy the baby/toddler years I will be thankful for things like this to end.  Now that I've gotten that horror story off my chest, here are some pictures from the wedding.    

Boys will be boys.

Avey girl and Bo.

Our family in our finery.

Bo wrastling (not a misspell, but another Bo-ism) with Carter.

Carter was sooooo excited about having a tie with Daddy.  He was very adamant that I get a picture of their ties.  My little photographer knows it's all about the details!

AAARGH!!

Today I had another fairly uneventful doctor's appointment, in fact I wasn't even planning on writing anything about it.  But at the end of the appointment the doctor mentioned that there was sugar in my urine (sorry if that is too much information) and they wanted to check my blood sugar.  Wouldn't you know it, but it was high.  So I will be going in next week for the three hour blood glucose test.  I had this test with Avery also, so I'm hoping that everything will come back normal with this one.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it, until the doctor tells me otherwise.  Note to self:  drinking dr pepper before your doctor's appointment is not a good idea.

Heard around the House

Carter:  (walking into the kitchen)  It smells like a skunk in here.
Mommy:  Sorry kid that's your dinner.


Daddy:  (at Carter's preschool for open house) Carter, tell me about your teachers.
Carter:  I like Miss Angie.  Miss Diane tells me to use an inside voice.

Mommy:  Carter, we need to go clean up your room.
Carter:  That's impossible!  (Then switching tactics because he realizes that one won't work) I like my room dirty, Mom.

Looking through Carter's bookbag from school and seeing a paper that didn't get done.
Mommy:  Carter, why didn't you do your work at school?
Carter:  My hand was too tired.

How quickly the Years Pass: Fall Edition

Fall 2007

Fall 2008

Fall 2009

Fall 2010

Yet another picture where I couldn't get either little stinker to look at the camera.  But I love that they are waving and smiling at each other.

#2 and #3

In a few weeks this will be #2 and #3.

Thank you Carter for taking this shot.  At first I was going to scrap it, but it has grown on me.

Fall Photos

Here are some fall pictures I took of the kids in the front yard last week:

She is a fiesty one.

One of my new favorite pictures of Avaroo.

At the end of every productive photo shoot at our house:  a treat.  In this case, marshmallows.

Delicious.

Pizza Party

Look very closely at the pizza on the counter.

He wanted the pepperonis to touch so they could hold hands.

Hallzooween

Today was a special day, we got to go to the zoo as a family!  We've been there plenty of times without Daddy, but it was so fun to share it with Daddy.  It was also special because it was Hallzooween.  Kids were encouraged to wear costumes, there were treat centers around the zoo, and they had special opportunities to watch the animals play with pumpkins.

(Funny story on the way to the zoo:  We stopped to buy gas and Mike went into the gas station to get a coffee.  Carter asked me "Where did Daddy go?"  So I told him "He went inside to get a drink."  To which Carter replied "Oh, Beer for everyone?"  Mike may need to lay off the beer for awhile.

Here is Carter with Frisch's Big Boy.  As I write this, Daddy is currently putting a Big Boy tattoo on our big boy.

This is our little woodland fairy.

The zoo family

The Dragon and the Princess Fairy.

Most of the time the Dragon wore his pumpkin shirt.  It was a little hot for the full on dragon costume.

Avery loved using the wand to touch/cast a spell on everything at the zoo.

I hope you enjoyed our pictures!  Time to enjoy our candy!

My crew

This is how my group of crazies dressed to go to the doctor's yesterday.  I was able to talk Avery out of the cowboy hat, but Carter was committed to his visor.  I hope we made someone smile.

Eighteen Beautiful Months Old!

Avey Roo, today you are eighteen months old.  At the doctor's today we learned that you are growing well at 25 pounds and 31 inches.  This puts you into the 50th percentile for both.  We have also learned in the past month that you are allergic to eggs.  Luckily since your diagnosis, we haven't had any issues with hives.  Everyday you suprise your Dad and I with the new things that you say and do.  You are saying lots of animal names including: cat, dog, bird, frog and my favorite chicken.  We are starting to teach you some colors and you will say red, blue, green and yellow.  I also love to hear you count coming down the stairs or while counting your snack.  Right now you will say 1, 2 by yourself and you will imitate me until ten.  

Avery, you have such an independent streak.  I can no longer try to feed you things like applesauce or yogurt, even if I want to try to keep you clean.  You want to do it yourself!  Also you love to brush your teeth, but only if I let you do it yourself.  The minute I try to brush your teeth, you are immediately upset.  Thankfully you are climbing up the stairs by yourself and coming down on your bottom.  This gives me a break from carrying you!

This morning we had the greatest time togethe while your brother was at preschool.  Usually we are out running errands, but today we came home.  I learned that you really don't like to play by yourself.  I planned on loading and unloading the dishwasher but you had other plans.  You helped me unload the dishwasher then we went to play!  I gave us each a "pedicure" which consisted of clipping our toenails and putting on lotion.  We had so much fun playing together.

One of the things that I love most about you  is your cuddliness.  You love to be held and give hugs.  You are also very ticklish!  I love making you laugh and seeing you giggle.  Right now your favorite "game" is to pretend that you are asleep.  I will call your name and you will close your eyes and pretend that you are sleeping so you can't hear me.

I'm sure I could write a huge book about everything I love about you!  You are such a special part of our family and I love watching you grow.  Happy year and a half birthday, sweet girl! 

Weekly Recap

Today was our second zoo class called funny faces!  Here is Carter wearing his Aardvark hat that he made at the zoo. He also got to pet a rooster and a skink.  Of course we also spent time wandering around looking at the gorillas, polar bears, manatees and elephants.  What trip to the zoo would be complete without a ride on the carousel and train?  So we had to do both of these as well.  Carter also had fun walking hand in hand around the zoo with two of his friends who came as well.  On Saturday we have tenative plans to go to Hallzooween, so I should have some more pictures to share. 

This week at the library we learned about pumpkins.  Ava made this pumpkin.  She tore the orange paper into little peices (with lots of help) and glued them down (with much more help.)

Carter on the other hand made an Octopus Helmet Hat.  What's that?  You think it looks like a jack o'lantern?  Well do NOT call it that in front of him.  This is a genuine Octopus Helmet hat.  He even told the librarian (who probably thinks we are really strange now) that it was an octopus helmet hat.  Anyone have any idea what an Octopus Helmet hat is?

Pumpkin Painting

Pumpkin

Painting

Or People

Painting?

You be the judge.