Halloween '09

Halloween. Wow, that seems like ages ago! But I can't NOT post all these cute shots. AJ was a fireman and wore one of his dress-up outfits from his Grandma Cheri (Gooma). Elizabeth wore AJ's baby pumpkin costume, so I had it easy this year. Halloween was COLD this time around, so we were able to bundle them both up and just went once around the big block. After one of the last houses, AJ asked me to hold his candy bag for him because it was too heavy. I guess you have enough candy if you can't carry it! He really got into the trick or treating this year and he was so cute, as you can see in the video below.

We moved the pumpkins somewhere dark so I could

take their picture, and AJ loved looking at them.

Brother and sister

Here's my pumpkin!

I drew the face (with some help) and mom and dad cut it out for me.

What a cute fireman!

I love this picture.

Here's our little pumpkin all cute and warm.

She wore a knitted had my grandma made under the pumpkin cap to stay warm!

Look, I'm standing up!

Here's AJ practicing his lines before we got started.

'09 Pictures/Update #2 - Pumpkin Farm

It's been a family tradition since AJ was born for us to go to Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm in Hampshire, IL every Fall. This year was more work, but more fun, which seems to be the theme of our lives now! We met our friend's, the Hrubec's there this year and it was fun to experience the pumpkin farm with them. We were blessed to have picked a pretty day and the sun was shining, even if it was pretty chilly. This year I walked the corn maze with AJ and let him pick a lot of the paths, which was fun, but made it long. Too long I guess, since Andy and Elizabeth were there waiting for us when we emerged...and not long afterward we had to clean up a serious diaper blow-out. Or more like a diaper overflow! Maybe that's too much TMI for some of you, but I have to say we managed well given the ground was cold and muddy and the place is, well, a FARM! Luckily the Hrubec's took over keeping track of AJ! Thanks, Jeff and Nancy!

Here are some pictures of all the fun...

Whatchu lookin' at?

AJ and Izzy, scoping out the pumpkins.

AJ and Lizzy posing for pumpkin shots. Lizzy was wearing

the pumpkin hat I made for AJ when he was a baby...

let's just say it was not so tight on her!

There's our happy little girl!

Row, row, row your boat...

"Being the boy with the yellow hat really tired me out!"

Driving the fire truck! This was AJ's favorite part of the day,

as he announced to us on our way home.

"I think we should get this one."

Mama and Elizabeth

AJ asks for a little help, and Izzy supervises.

"No, I changed my mind. How about this one?"

'09 Pictures/Update #1 - Random Fall Pics

I want to get up to speed, but I can't just skip over all the great pictures and events from the end of 2009. It was truly a great year and the kids made it so fun to celebrate all the year-end holidays from Halloween through Christmas (they were kind of duds on New Year's Eve though, I have to say). So here's the first installment of our Fall in Review. Enjoy.

This is a pic from when we used to still swaddle Elizabeth even as she was becoming too long to fit her legs in the sack part. I think we gave it up somewhere over her 4th month? Anyway, now she flips over to her tummy as soon as she touches the sheet, and the swaddle is no longer in sight (or even in the house! This one, the Miracle Blanket, which was on loan from the Long's and did live up to its name, is back at their place. I donated all the others to a women's shelter before Christmas...).

Because we have the upstairs and the main level, we ended up with 2 of most pieces of "baby gear"...and I'm happy to say all but our portable swing were borrowed! But before we could get the second bouncy seat moved upstairs, this is what happened. :)

Our neighbors' daughter, Kaya, used to do this when she was about 2 and AJ was the little one, and I think I have a pic of her in the seat too...maybe later (in all my spare time) I'll post some comparison shots!

Also, note the underwear. AJ's completely potty trained now, except for overnight. Woohoo!

This pic of Lizzy is one from when she was starting to lift her head up 90 degrees (a milestone). I think she was about 10 or 11 weeks old here.

And here she is on the same day showing off her precious little smile!

AJ also liked to get under the playgym with his new little sister. It was one of the first ways that he purposefully interacted with her. Kaya used to do this too...so I guess the comparison shots will be coming soon!

Here's a little smile. Man, I love her cheeks!

Lizzy and Daddy hanging out on the playgym.

I think this playgym has been used by all of my sister's and my kids now...

5 kids over 6 years? Nice!


And here is a video of AJ being silly one night. We had gone to gymnastics that day and the video started out with us wanting to catch him doing a somersault on video. I don't think we ever got it, but the video is still pretty cute!


This Fall I reconnected with some of my old college roommates via facebook. We decided to meet at the play area in the Woodfield Mall. I know I grew up going there, but I felt like I was suffering from a bit of culture-shock. AJ kept asking questions like, "What are all these stores for?" and he didn't understand why we were there to play vs. shop. I think it might have been only his 3rd or 4th time in a mall, and definitely the first he remembers! It was so great to see Allison and Jenna again, and their kids are so cute.

My cutie and me...

Here's Janie, Owen and AJ all together in the wagon.

And here's Elizabeth starting to vocalize...she's got the cutest little voice.