Mobile!!

Lucas decided it was time to get around, so he's begun crawling. He hadn't had given it much effort until he was up at Grandma Moody's house--maybe it was the carpeting instead of wood floors that he liked. But I love his little army crawl--he reminds me of the plastic soldiers on Toy Story.

Apples to Apples

Since it was the end of the apple season, my sister Sara and I took the kids to Oak Glen and we bought LOTS of apples this last weekend. It was absolutely pouring but we decided to take the tour of the packing plant that one of the farms offered. It was interesting to see the antique cider press they still use to make cider and 100 year old barn where they pack their apples. The girls even got to taste, sort and learn about some of the different heirloom apples.

The next day was a canning extravaganza and my mom, brother Mike, sister-in-law Kara, Sara, me and the girls peeled, cut and jarred 69 cans of apple pie filling. It was a lot of work to do that many, but it was rewarding to see all those jars filled with apples.

Family Pictures

I can't remember the last time we had a family photo done (without being in some sort of a costume) so it was time.

Lucas was so interested in the ocean it was hard to get him to look away.

This was NOT photoshopped. The photographer was adjusting her lens and captured this.
It's creepy and hilarious at the same time.

Haloween 2010

This year I was back in the swing of things and decided it was time for a Magical theme.

For the occasion, I turned my little prince into a toad.

We carved pumpkins, went to the annual Trunk or Treat--where Jeff won the Chili Cookoff!! Cara had her first Chili entry and she's already planning what she's going to cook next year.

On Halloween, we did something a little different. We carved our pumpkins, passed out candy, baked and delivered treats to a few friends. Jeff has also decided in the last couple years that he wants to take over decorating for Halloween. He's vetoed my "cute" decorations and has brought out the creepy things. He made a zombie (which we've named Bernie) and he set up the piano, with a skeleton playing creepy music so the trick or treaters can see it in the front window.

Halloween--A Retrospective

It all started 9 years ago. For Cara's first Halloween, I thought it would be fun to dress as a family. This little number that I dressed Jeff in (combined with next years' gettup) started a tradition and I've been sewing every October since.

2001: Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell

2002: Monster's Inc.: Sulley, Boo, Mike and Roz

2003: The Ladies of Chicago

2004: Pirate and his wenches

2005: Witches of OZ

2006: "Knights"

2007:Classic Monsters


2008: Cowboys and Indians

2009: Fairies
Stay tuned for 2010...

A Big Day for My Little Girl

Natalie chose to be baptized last Saturday.
It was a big day for her with lots of friends and family to support her. She was baptized by her daddy.

She wore the same dress that her Grandma Moody, Mom, and sister Cara all wore.

Afterwards, we had lots of yummy cupcakes.

As I did with Cara, I put together a little video recapping some big moments for her thus far.

Happy Birthday Natie!

For Natalie's 8th Birthday we had her party at the bowling alley. She had lots of fun bowling and playing with a few of her friends. It was a great party--and easy for mom to put together!