2 Months!

I can't believe that Elise is two months old already!  She is getting so big so fast.  She is such a sweet little girl who is content most of the time.  It has been a big blessing in my life that she has a pretty easy-going temperament.  She is smiling a lot now, especially if you will hold her and talk to her.  She loves to be held facing out so that she can see the world, and sometimes just wants to lie down and have some alone time.  Her hair is growing back in and right now she is sporting a nice little mullet. :)  She has beautiful blue eyes with lashes.  She loves to look at the light or the fan.  She is a pretty good little sleeper most of the time and actually slept 6 hours last night!  I love my sweet little Elise and seeing her grow.

Pumpkin Time

For family night this week we finally carved our pumpkins.  Eric inherited my dislike for dirty hands, so after one venture into the pumpkin, he liked watching and directing.  He did try to help carve his, though.  The girls are finally to where they can do theirs by themselves, and both did a great job.  Meg's is a creepy Garfield and Brinn's is a monster face.  Eric wanted the big pumpkin with a train, so I helped him with that.  One pumpkin is really enough for me, so mine is the traditional, easy pumpkin face and Dave did the two fancy pumpkins, one for him and one for Elise.  Hers is the mummy because she likes to be wrapped up. With wassail and oreos for our treat, it was a wonderful evening together. I love these parts of the Halloween season.  The only thing left on  my list is to make doughnuts.  Maybe tomorrow...

Trying to get the stem back on.  He was sad mom broke his pumpkin.

Meg hard at work.

Elise is overseeing the whole affair.

Eric LOVED seeing his pumpkin lit up.  After seeing it once he pulled the stool over to the light switch so he could turn the lights off...not so fun for those still carving.  He points out every pumpkin he sees.

Top: Brinn, Meg, Elise
Bottom: Mom, Dad, Eric

Brinn's Pokemon Birthday Party

Normally Brinn wants a Halloween birthday party.  This year she wanted a Pokemon Party.  Pokemon is big around here.  So big they have banned it at the elementary school.  Just one of those fads that circles back through, I guess.  But I know nothing about Pokemon.  That was Steven's thing growing up, not mine.  Thank goodness for Pinterest.  I think the party was a success.  We played some fun Pokemon themed games and Nel and I made an awesome pinata.  I was grateful it was a nice day and we could spend most of the party outside, because 13 nine year olds is a lot of noise...

Playing "Catch 'em All" with the pokemon they created. (soldier man game)

Out awesome pinata in action

Eric enjoying the party

Pinata time...

The guests: Joshua, Ava, Janie, Ashlee, Kaleb, Korbin, Emmalee, Lila, and Brooke (plus Owen)

Elise's Blessing

This last Sunday, Dave gave Elise a beautiful baby blessing.  We are so happy to have this sweet little angel in our family.  Thanks, mom, for the beautiful dress (I wish I knew how to take a better picture of her in it)!

My Little Helper

Eric had a rough morning today.  I don't know why, but he was grumpy.  He wouldn't eat breakfast (which in itself isn't anything to make note of), kept throwing himself on the ground and crying, and spent the morning telling Brinn to "Go away."  I finally sent him downstairs to watch Cars.  Then, with a moment to myself, I checked my email and facebook and was reminded that even these frustrating days are precious.  I went downstairs and finished watching Cars with Eric.  When we came up stairs he told me he wanted to make cookies.  So we made cookies together.  Then I decided to finally can the apple pie filling I've been meaning to can.  Eric wanted to help, so I let him help.  He was actually a good little helper.  He liked to try and peel/core the apples and would go out to the garage to get another apple from the box each time he finished.  When he would get the apple through by himself, he would proclaim, "Got it!" or "All done!" and then eat the apple peel.  The floor was definitely stickier, it took us longer, and we broke two jars, but it was a wonderful experience with my sweet little boy who always wants to help.  Sweet little Elise slept like an angel through it all. :) I love my two little darling kids who keep me company all day and can't imagine life without them.

While I was cleaning up, I convinced Eric the box was a car.  I tried to make him a steering wheel out of a paper plate.  He thought it made a better hat.