Happy October

Here are a few random pictures I took recently. I'm not much of a "photo-op mom-" I rarely remember to bring a camera along when we do something, and even if I do remember it, I forget to take the stupid pictures until it's too late. So, a lot of my pictures are random, mostly everyday stuff at home, cause that's where my camera always is. But for some reason, everyday stuff can be a lot of fun when there are awesome kids involved. We have been having fun lately. It was especially fun when my old NYC buddy Melanie (who now lives in Minnesota) came into town with her new baby Tennyson (who was super good and didn't even make a peep the entire time!) and we got together for lunch in downtown SLC with another ex-New Yorker Melissa (who now lives in Draper.) We had a good time catching up over lunch then snatching up our babes and bailing out of Pioneer Park as some homeless dudes started a fist fight right on the playground where our teeny kids were playing. Classic. We should have known better than to take our kids to that park. I'll give it this much though- it lived up to its reputation impeccably. So much for giving the place the benefit of the doubt. I'd skip it if I were you.

Me and Mel and our two girls!

We only managed a profile of each of the 3 kids pictured here. Spot them if you can. (And btw, thanks anyways, foreign grandma who had never used a camera before.) That is Melissa in the green shirt- 4 months prego and such a babe! She even had some derelicts wolfwhisting at her! Too bad these two were the only pictures we got. In fact, Melissa sent them to me. (Please... like I am ever going to remember to bring my camera? Riiiiight...)

We got the Halloween decorations put up, which Drew was elated about. We forgot about good old Skully from last year. Remember him?

Getting to know each other- it was a little awkward at first... (this picture was taken almost exactly a year ago, it is so weird that Drew was still in diapers then. Those days seem like a lifetime ago!)

Did I mention Skully talks? He has a repertoire of smart-alec comments, (delivered in a thick NY accent) including : "Eat some candy-you're almost as skinny as me!" and "Hey! Wanna 'hang out' sometime?" and "Hey- you got the time? Oh, look at me, whaddo I care?" Super lame, I know. But Drew loves it. And is simultaneously terrified of it. But, that's what Halloween is all about, right? Skully was tired of being crunched up in a box all year! Instead he is now hanging from a double Shepherd's Hook in the front yard, with a bird feeder on the other side. (Which reminds me...today I was noticing I haven't seen any birds for a few days...guess the birds have more sense than I gave them credit for!)

How cute is she?

All kids need a few naked bathtub shots taken in their lifetime. I think this one was tastefully done. These two are super cute together. They really love each other.

Ditto for these two.

My mom took this one the day we picked a bunch of stuff from the garden to make our salsa. Which turned out pretty good again this year. It was awesome to grow all my own salsa ingredients- there is something very satisfying about that. Even though it was a huge mess and kind of a pain. (Don't worry- I didn't include broccoli in the salsa. It was just there.) Still fun to do, especially with my mom there to help. Everything is more fun with her. We also have a plethora of huge pumpkins! Which is amazing to me because I bought the most pathetic looking pumpkin seedling last spring, since it was the only one left, figuring I would be happy if we got one little pumpkin. The pumpkin ended up taking over the entire garden, and so far has produced about 12 basketball sized pumpkins. I learned not to doubt what an underdog is capable of-with a little tenacity, and when presented with the right opportunity, anything is possible!

Too bad I couldn't have her eyesight. Not fair! I tried to get Lasik, but after doing the screening the Dr. warned me to never, ever get this surgery because my corneas are freakishly thin (10% of normal), and I would likely go blind within a few months and need cornea transplants. And contacts are a no-go either because, as luck would have it, my eyes are also freakishly dry. So there you have it-glasses for life. Sure beats the alternative though. I hope our kids get Marshall's eyes and my teeth. Poor M had braces for like 5 years, including rubber bands and...wait for it...headgear! (Sorry honey, but it's too awesome not to share with the world.) Funnier still, we got a box of random stuff of his from his parents before they left on their mission, and they had actually kept the headgear! We had a good laugh with that one! (Love ya, honey. Go ahead and call me four eyes-I deserve it!)

LOL

Cute again. How does she do it?

We are enjoying October a lot. The weather has been so perfect, and we are enjoying that immensely. We go to parks a lot, which both of the kids love. I think Allie must be a teenager trapped in a 16 month old body- she has the attitude and determination and wants to do her own thing. She knows what she wants- I love that quality. But at the same time, she is super sweet, and I can tell she is trying to be obedient and learn her boundaries. She has lots of words she uses, sometimes they aren't pronounced quite right, but we know what she means. My favorite thing she says is "thank you" both when you give her something, and when she wants something. It is super cute- and just TRY to resist giving her what she wants! (Seriously, mom-TRY!!) Drew is ever the sweet older brother. He is kind and gentle, and is learning so much. He is really interested in learning to read, and spelling and stuff. It is amazing to me the questions he asks, and words he can read. He knows all the sounds, and is learning to put them together. I love that he is interested in learning to read early on. And I love that he enjoys school so much. His teacher is awesome, and I can tell he really loves her.

Well, that's pretty much it for now. Nothing life-changing going on around here, but that is just fine with me. Well, one little thing was sort of life changing. This year was my first General Conference with a Tivo. Let me just tell you, folks- this little invention has changed my life! Not to sound like a pathetic TV head, but it was so great being able to pause it and take care of kids, bathroom, snacks, etc. all at our own convenience. I could ffwd over the sustainings (is that bad??) And rewind if I missed something. Pure heaven. Ever tried to watch (and absorb) 8 hours of TV over the span of 2 days with 2 little kids? Not happening! I actually got to hear every single talk this year; I don't think I missed a thing. And that is saying a lot. Don't know how I ever lived without it. Goodbye for now-more later!