Riding in Style

One must get creative when trying to navigate a store with two kids in tow...sometimes this means pushing two carts (when it is a whole-family outing), sometimes there is a sweet two-seater available for use.

Ah, the beloved screwdriver

Evie just needs a bug to hold

Vroom, vroom!

Evelyn looks like she wants to stop and ask for directions

Evelyn and Eli Make a Splash

Both the kids have the same FABULOUS swim teacher this year, we'll call her Miss Nemo, and it has been wonderful to see them grow in their confidence and skills, all the while having so much fun. Evelyn has gone underwater, and seems to particularly like going down the baby-sized slide, as well as climbing up out of the water on to the large foam float. Eli is becoming quite the back-float pro, and can motor himself around with the float dumbbells under his arms.

Evelyn readies herself to crawl across the float

Let's go swimming

Eli (trying out the swim cap!) goes for a swim with Miss Nemo

Boo! (Halloween Happenings)

Before Turkey Day is upon us, perhaps we should cover the Halloween fun from this year. That's the tricky thing about Halloween, being on the last day of the month and all, lots of build-up and then it is past and November is here. It seemed like every day for the last 3 weeks of October, Eli asked us if it was Halloween, and we chatted about how it was Halloween time, but that Halloween itself is just one day...something for a 3-year-old mind to ponder, especially when there were so many fun Halloween activities this year, spaced throughout the month. And as for Evelyn, she mostly enjoyed dressing up in her cozy costume, and happily joined in the festivities.

Party (Parties) Time!

Between the annual kids Halloween party, and preschool, and a carving party at our house, there were plenty of opportunities to dress up, have some not-spooky fun, and eat treats.

Look at the cute animals we found on safari

Stop me if you've heard this one: "A giraffe, a princess, and Batman walk up to a craft table..."

Serious zebra

Giraffe playing games

Having dinner while we wait for the Bubble Guy!!

Preschool Halloween Lunch

The little ones joined the lunch-time party

Lunch date with friends

So many pumpkins and parents, and a bee and a lady bug, too!

The dads and the kiddos focus on the task at hand

Animals Out on the Prowl

 Our little giraffe and zebra were well-traveled...from trying out the costumes at home, to visiting the real animals at the zoo, to a stop by Daddy's work, to trick-or-treating on Halloween night. This year was the first year that Eli noticed and talked about some of the Halloween things being a little scary, and after visiting about 5 houses, he told us, "that is enough houses." A little different from last year where he led Mimi all around the neighborhood. Back at home, handing out candy, Eli cracked us up by answering the door and prompting the (older) trick-or-treaters with, "What do you say?" I guess he had heard that phrase a lot from Mimi and Mommy to make sure that "trick-or-treat" and "thank you" was said appropriately at each house we visited!

Trying out the costume

Eli Giraffe

Even giraffes need a ride sometimes

Eli told us, "Maybe the giraffes will see that I am a giraffe and they will like me."

So. sweet. I am sure they like you, buddy.

A free-range giraffe visiting his caged giraffe pal

Our little zebra checking out the giraffes

The collection of animals at Daddy's work

Look what Daddy found on safari (a headless giraffe and a zebra that wants her Mommy...hmm)

Halloween Night - It's a zoo in here!

Ready to go get some candy!

Having Fun While Turning One!

Happy first birthday to our sweet, spunky, smart little lady! Evelyn celebrated her birthday a bit early with a pumpkin-themed party with her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and great-grandparents (what a lucky one-year-old!). On her actual birthday, Evelyn attended Eli's preschool Halloween party and celebrated with birthday cake and singing with Mommy, Daddy, and Eli. As many parents can probably relate, it feels like this past year was the fastest year of our lives, while at the same time it seems as though Evelyn has always been here as part of our family. Feeling thankful for a wonderful first year, and looking forward to more laughs, wonder, awe, and adventures in year number two!

Birthday Party

Pumpkin party for our littlest pumpkin

Birthday sign - watching our pumpkin grow

Evelyn loves her new chair

Mommy and the birthday girl

Proud parents

This one-year-old is on the move!

Eli and Daddy working on a birthday project

Cousins and sibling helped open presents

Birthday cupcakes

Blowing out candles (with some help from Mommy)

Check out this cake and frosting...pretty great!

Only crumbs remain...birthdays are delicious!

Evelyn's Birthday

Happy to be in my special chair

So much bigger than when we first started these pictures

Birthday girl

I love this sweet smile

Celebrating turning one (and also teething)

Time for birthday cake

I could get used to this cake thing

One year old

Family Dinner Date, Hayride Late, and Pumpkins are Great!

Summer is wonderful and all, but fall in Wisconsin really can be quite fantastic. What is not to love about mild, sunny days, cool and cozy nights, and enough harvest activities and food to meet the entire family's needs. All of the fall fun means that the weeks have been zooming by, and it looks like any of the house projects that we said we might do this fall will have to move to the winter list (from whence they will then move to the spring list...then the summer list...then back to the fall list in what seems like no time at all!). How nice to always have something to look forward to, and in the present to enjoy these family outings!

For the first time, we joined a group of friends to go on an evening hayride in a local park. The Parks department takes care of everything from the tractor and hay trailer to the bonfire and s'mores at the end of the ride. The park was along the lake, which makes this bonfire beat out any others we've had when it comes to the view. The kids enjoyed the ride, as well as going out to dinner beforehand, and definitely loved the s'mores.

Mmmm...pizza

Big girl enjoying pizza, too

Ready to ride

It gets dark early now!

The boys having fun

Our littlest pumpkin on the hay

We returned to the same pumpkin farm as last year to fill our wagon with carving pumpkins and porch-decorating pumpkins. Eli was very serious about the pumpkin hunt, searching for a specific color and and pumpkin that he could lift by himself. 

Heading out into the field

Snuggle pumpkin

Inspecting the options

Happy hunters

Filling up the wagon...looks like everyone will have to walk back to the car

Little lady does her inspection

Lots of squinting in an attempted family picture

I see a pumpkin over there!