Halloween 2013

We had lots of fun this Halloween!  Especially because we got to spend it with Grandma Wilson and Aunt Jenny.  They were here helping us out for the last two weeks, and it was sad to see them go home today.

After Braedon got home from preschool, we turned on some spooky Halloween music, hung out, and made our own pizzas.  After that it was time to get dressed up and head out for trick or treating!

This year we had a cute little strawberry and a feisty pirate in the house.

They were pretty excited to get going and I must say, Adi caught on real fast:)

Yup, more pictures.  I couldn't take enough.

Okay, I guess that's enough.  And they're off!

I remember how hilarious it was taking Braedon trick or treating his first time a couple of years ago when he was about Adi's age, and it was just as fun watching Adi this year.  It's like they have no idea why they are dressed up in some silly costume and what this whole door to door thing is, but once they figure out they get candy, they seem to catch on fast;)

Who knew a strawberry's back side could be so cute:)  The kids loved all the decorations and got easily distracted.  However, not too distracted to start digging into their candy while walking to only the 5th house....Adi.

Braedon was such a sweet big brother and took the lead, making sure Adi always got her candy and Adi was a little stud refusing any help carrying her treats.  Even when her bucket got so heavy towards the end and she could barely walk, she wanted to do it herself.  Maybe she was afraid me or grandma would sneak a piece or two.

By the time we were done, the neighborhood was just swarming with kids.  I sure do love where we live!

Nothing says fall...

like a good ol pile of crunchy, colorful leaves!

There should be a law that states every kid must play in a pile of leaves at least once every year.

They should observe all the wonderful colors that fall brings out of them.

They should hear them crunch under their little feet.

They should feel the crispness between their soft, tiny fingers.

We have had some beautiful fall weather here in the Pacific Northwest!  This is my favorite time of year, which goes until January 1.  I love everything fall/winter related and I am making sure my kids grow up doing so as well.

There is nothing else better than fall walks on a crisp sunny day, hearing the leaves crunch beneath your feet, looking at all the changing colors, and watching your little ones get excited as they hunt for the prettiest leaf they can find.

There is nothing better than sitting at the table sipping your coffee while enjoying one of the half dozen fall treats made out of pumpkin and smelling the sent of cinnamon while you help your kids make one of the many fall crafts that you have planned.

There is nothing better than seeing your little family all decked out in their Husky gear watching the game, with the aroma of chili on the stove, while you decorate your house with all things fall.

Those are just a few of my cherished memories from this year already, and I can't wait to make even more!  So much to be thankful for!!!

Fall is here!!!

Que teenage girl screams.  I love this time of year!!!  Yesterday we took the kids to Remlinger Farm, which is an awesome farm that is open all year round, but is the most fun during the month of October. They have rides, a petting zoo, a hay maze and place to jump and play, and so much more for our little ones.  The kids had a blast!  Adilyn was actually big enough to ride the roller coaster and she obviously loved it.  It was so fun to watch how excited she was.

It was a beautiful day and we even got to have Aunt Jen come along and join us for all the fall fun!  Her and Braedon are fair ride buddies every year, and it was fun seeing them back on the rides together again.

When I was younger, my favorite part was obviously partaking in all the rides and fun.  Now my favorite part, as I have said many times before, is watching the joy and excitement on my kids' faces and through their happy squeals as they partake in these experiences.  Priceless I tell you, priceless.

After the rides, we moved on to the hay and had a blast.  Adi left with hay everywhere, and I mean everywhere.

This was a huge hit!

 Adi photo bombed this one:)

After all the fun, it was time to hit up the pumpkins for our obligatory pumpkin pictures, which never turn out.

It was a perfect day!!

Another year

A new school year is under way as Braedon started his second year of preschool last Monday!  He absolutely loves school and asked if he could go everyday, so I'm taking advantage of his eagerness to learn and signed him up for 4 days this year.  Braedon is in school Monday through Thursday from 12:30 to 3pm. Hallelujah!  Just kidding. Well, kind of;)

Okay, don't make fun of my first day of school pictures.  I was in a rush and Braedon was not cooperating.  At all.  Oh, and doesn't Adi look thrilled?

I didn't even bother with the other battle of trying to get Adi out of the picture.  Believe it or not, this was the best picture I got, and that was after I bribed him with a cookie.

Now on to some kid updates.  Adi turned 2 a couple of weeks ago and she had her well child check up last Monday.  She is clocking in at 28 pounds, and I don't remember how tall she is.  She is a very healthy and a very busy little girl.

Before I get to some more facts, here is a comparison of Baeo and Adi at the same age, just for fun:)

Okay, here we go...

At 2 years old, Adi likes
-doing everything, "by myself"
-picking out her own clothes and pajamas
-playing with her baby dolls, feeding them, and giving them bottles
-shopping with her grocery cart
-cooking me meals in her kitchen and bringing them to me while I workout
-working out with me
-eating popcorn
-going for walks and playing at the park
-watching Little Einstein's, or as she calls it, "pat pat song"
-eating spoonfuls of peanut butter
-pushing her brother's buttons
-singing loudly
-taking showers
-playing on the deck
-playing on my phone
-helping me clean
-swimming
-putting clothes in the washer and dryer and turning them on

Adi loves
-HER BLANKET
-HER THUMB
but only together, not one or the other

Adi dislikes
-not getting what she wants, and then she will let you know
-most vegetables, unless I juice them
-her hair in her face
-getting told no

Adi is now talking a ton and will repeat almost anything you say.  She loves it when you sing songs and then will start to sing along.  She has really started to pretend play and it is so cute watching her tend to her babies and talk on the phone while she is shopping.  She is very motherly and is always trying to help us put on our shoes, comb our hair, etc.  She loves to put makeup on with me in the mornings and always wants a little spritz of my perfume.  She is the sweetest girl with the biggest personality and I could just watch her all day long.

Now, onto Braedon! (side not: must start taking more pictures so I don't have to repost the same ones)

At 4.5 years old Braedon likes.

-racing his cars (also lots of pretend play here)
-coloring
-doing any type of arts and crafts
-playing in the sandbox
-going on trail walks
-riding his bike
-preschool!
-snack plates for lunch (cheese, crackers, fruit...)
-singing
-taking pictures and videos with my camera
-watching movies
-playing soccer
-observing the world around him (pointing out sunsets, showing me different leaves, rocks, etc.)
-pushing his sister's buttons
-sugar
-chai tea
-eating peanut butter by the spoonful
-showing us new "tricks" that he has learned
-going on road trips
-going off roading
-swimming
-cuddling
-putting clothes in the washer and dryer and turning them on

Braedon loves...
-his blanket, teddy, swampy, and tux

Braedon dislikes...
-getting his hair and face washed, still
-having to go to bed
-sitting at the table to eat
-cleaning up his messes

Braedon is such a joy to have around and I love our little conversations and hearing about what is going through that head of his.  He comes up with the most random, but most hilarious stuff I have ever heard.  He will randomly come to me and ask if I want to hear a song and then he will go on and sing every song he knows.  I love it:)  He loves to learn and is always asking questions.  He is very curious about where things are located in the world.  He has a world map on his wall and we often are pointing things out, and he is quite often pointing things out to me.  He is a very active little boy who can hardly sit still, yet he is still my best cuddler.  He has started doing more chores around the house and knows how to clear his plate and put it in the dishwasher, put his clothes away, feed Peyton, steam the hardwoods, and is very good at cleaning up his toys when he is in the mood.  He loves to cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie, which thankfully has branched out to more then Cars.  He is loving soccer and has already gotten so much better at dribbling, kicking, and overall having control over the ball.  Even better, he is not afraid of it!  He can be so sweet and will often come up to me and say, "I'm sorry you had to have surgery, mom."

I'm not going to lie, two kids at ages 2 and 4 is totally chaotic, loud, crazy, busy, tiring...make that exhausting.  Two kids at ages 2 and 4 is also so much fun, entertaining, rewarding, and comical.  I have a love/hate relationship with these ages, but I sure do love my kids and consider myself very blessed and lucky!

Happy Birthday Adilyn Paige!

Yesterday Adi turned two!  She made sure to get the day started early and was up at 6.  Derek got her out of her crib and came back to bed.  When we both came downstairs, all her presents were already open.  Miss Independent, or should I say Miss, "I do myself."

We had a low key day at home with just us and my best friends Jenny and Shelley, followed by Pam, who is pretty much family:)

Post nap snuggles, which are the best, followed by cupcakes!  This year I decided to do that over cake just because it was just us, so I thought a cupcake each would be the perfect amount.

 I picked out 7 different unique flavors from out local cupcake shop, and we split them all up and had a little piece of each.

 Adi wasn't sure what to do with the candles and kept trying to touch them.  She finally blew them out.

 Once the candles were blown out, she obviously knew what to do.

 This girl can down sweets, especially chocolate, like its her job.

 Mmmmm....finger lickin good!

Happy Birthday Adilyn!  You are so loved and such a wonderful addition to our family.  I just can't believe it has already been two years!  The time does fly.

This morning we got up and took the kids to the Seattle Aquarium.

 They loved seeing all the different kinds of fish and touching all the different sea life.

 This age is so much fun!

 They even got to test out some scuba diving equipment, which was hilarious.  Especially when they tried to walk.

We had a great Labor Day weekend filled with relaxation, finishing up house projects that have been lingering, and catching up with good friends!