Her book says it all

A little 'bit of fall

Every year I take London's picture by our itty-bitty maple we planted the year she was born.

Even though it's tiny, I love looking out the back door and seeing the red and orange leaves.

I just wish they would stay around longer.

And then I get all nostalgic and think about how this tree is kind of like our little family, young and new, but growing and changing every year.

Which leads to me thinking about how much these two have grown and how they will continue to grow.

Which leads to a minor panic attack.

Slow down for heaven's sake! (Not you mini maple.)

I'll distract myself with a tongue shot, (just like daddy, when he's really concentrating hard)!

Phew, all better, happy fall and happy Thanksgiving!

20 months

Noble decided early on in our little 'photo shoot' that he only wanted to have his picture taken if he could sit on my lap.

That was okay with me.

And he's officially never growing up. Ever.

We all came out smiling

While I'm out doing this:

My children are doing this:
this:
this:
and this:
I've decided family night as a family can be highly over rated. James is obviously perfectly capable of watching the children around livestock, motor vehicles driven by children, and open flames. I see more hair appointments in my future.

"Oh where, oh where has my little boy gone..."

Why dress up dolls when you have a little brother?

He's just hitteous

That was what London said in the car yesterday in reference to her brother. I corrected her of course, being the ever diligent, this is how you pronounce words sort of mom I am, "London, I think you mean hideous." To which London replied, "No, he's HITTEOUS mom; he's always hitting me all the time."

Right, of course. That makes so much more sense. You just keep right on making up your own words baby, and I'll keep sharing them with the world.

"Would you like some more tea with that cake Nana?"

Trunk or Treat 2010

Trunk or Treat was as fun as ever this year, and so many people participated and went all out, making it really fun and memorable for everyone!

Can you guess what our theme was this year?

Presenting princess Jasmine and her faithful monkey Abu (okay, so we all know it was Aladdin's faithful monkey), riding on a magic carpet ride. Like that song hasn't been stuck in my head for days.

And here's the most adorable bat girl I've ever seen.

I know everyone will be completely surprised to find out that James came up with the really fun idea of a 'magic carpet ride'. The kids had to climb up on it to get to the candy. And it really was suspended and wobbly and really fun to climb on. And I apparently really like to say really. I got to be the 'load tester' to ensure it was totally safe and kid friendly. The many joys of being married to an engineer.

Two little monkeys...

"What is this? What did you say? Someone's giving out candy? Who's giving out candy? Everyone we know is just giving out candy?" - Jerry Seinfield

It gets her every year.

Noble made the perfect monkey since, as I've mentioned before, the child climbs everything. His costume, unfortunately, wasn't up to the task of keeping up with him and broke within thirty seconds of trick or treating.

Rachel and her sweet super heroes, plus one super sweet princess

This was my favorite family get-up. Seriously, how cute is that? I've considered transposing our faces onto theirs and claiming this as our family, but we know too many of the same people.

Noble was obsessed with the 'gorilla' in the cage. We were either here watching the 'gorilla' or at the cars that had games with balls.

At one point Noble left and came back with someone else's sword ?? and let the gorilla know that he was taking charge of this apparently unsafe situation.

My favorite moment of Halloween this year had to be when we went to a few of our neighbor's homes and Noble was holding my hand and 'skipping', he was so happy. Every group of kids we passed by he waved to and said 'hi'. Pure, sugar high joy. It's what's all about.

Now someone please tell me what to do with the carpet ride apparatus that is currently taking up residence on the middle of our garage. Yet another joy of being married to an engineer.

The Bairds

Family Pics

Storybook Forest

So Edmond has this fun little storybook, not at all scary, themed festival at lake Arcadia every year, and I was totally unaware. And we just happened to be in town the weekend it started, and it was adorable.

After you enter into the forest, you follow a little path past all these sets that are, you guessed it, fairy tale themed, and they hand out candy to the kiddos.

(Rapunzel was my favorite).
London and Noble loved it.

It had a lot going for it though:

1) It was outside

2) It was in a forest

3) It was outside

4) There was candy

It was perfect for their ages.
At the end there were games, where London scored some pink vampire teeth.
They also had hay rides, a concession stand, a story teller, and campfires. This is totally our new fall family tradition (while the kids are still little)!