Halloween Parade

Look at my spirited little frog!!! He's just dancing, doing his own thing so happy to be at the parade tonight with his friends and family. He was SO excited this week to be able to wear his little costume to so many fun events. We spent tonight at the Edwardsville Halloween Parade. It is probably the most popular and crowded parade our town holds. It's always fun to see the floats and we undoubtedly always run into friends at this event.

Midway through the parade I ran across the street and hung out there for a bit to get some pics of their faces and also because it was a totally different vantage point watching him from behind versus seeing their little faces light up as the next float would make its way to us.

And the "most spirited" award goes to...Ryan!! (That is his little friend Maddie behind him.)

Daddy and Julia...how I wish I knew what thoughts were running through her little head!

Ryan, Maddie, Morgan and McGrady look at a big balloon float coming towards us.

And part of our crew: (back row) Michelle, Matt, Krista, my Jeff, Jeff and Amy. (Front row) McGrady, Morgan, Tyler, Maddie, Julia, Ryan.

Cupid's Helper?

Ok, I need some help here.

I have a really great friend and I'd like to set her up with a GREAT guy. And I, frankly, don't have anyone in mind and am hoping you might! Hoping you are reading this and you know "the greatest guy that you'd love to find the greatest girl for but just don't know her..." TAAADAAA. I know her! It's a match made in heaven...or blogspot. =)

So, here I am, seeking a SCM (single Christian male), age 29-36ish range.

Sorry, I am omitting her photo/name because she might KILL me when she sees this post, LOVE YOU, girl! But our bachelorette is an attractive (I promise!) brunette who is a loyal, kind, fun, great catch =) She has never been married, has no children and I am proud to say we have been friends for like 20 years! (yikes..that makes me feel old just saying!!?!) She's lived in the St. Louis area most of her life, except for a time away at college and then 5 yrs roaming around the globe during her missionary gig. (And does she ever have some COOL stories to share from that!)

So, let me know if you have anyone GOOD in mind and we'll see if we can play Cupid together! =)

Trick or Treat!

The kids had a super night going around the neighborhood trick or treating, and it was fun for us to get to see many neighbor friends! (For those of you confused, in our town, the trick or treating is on Oct 30 because most of the town attends the local Halloween Parade on Oct 31). The weather was awesome, and it was fun walking around as a family on such a great night!

Julia's personal chauffeur, aka Daddy dearest!

We ran into Andrew out on the street and I asked the boys to get together for a pic. Ryan immediately walked over and put his arm around Andrew like this -- too cute!

We could have stayed at Andrea and Brett's house all night..Ry was totally into a dancing groove to Michael Jackson here. Nicolas and Lexi soon joined him on the "dance floor/sidewalk"!

TaaaDaaa! So many treats! So little time before bedtime to chow down!
Ok, and can you believe that Daddy promised Ry he could choose 3 to eat!? I couldn't (ok, so I could..it was totally not unlike him..but something I would have absolutely overruled had I been in on the conversation!) Our little guy was awake in bed another HOUR on a sugar high singing to himself!!!

Kid's First Fall Festival

Ryan and Livie chat in the hallway. I wish I could have heard about what?! What do 3 yr old boys tell 3 yr old girls? Hey, aren't these goldfish snacks so gourmet? or Your hairbows would make great lassos! Hehe.

Ry plays a version of pinball.

Julia and I enjoy the tractor ride. Ok, that's a little lie - I enjoy the tractor ride, because the weather is great, and it is way less chaos outside than inside the school! Julia enjoys it because she has a great spot - on my lap, but she is still apprehensive about the whole thing. =)

Julia and her friend, Asher. She looks like she has been crying because she has...I stepped out of the room for a minute to peek into Ry's class and she was very upset. Bless his heart, he was hanging out making she was okay. Poor boy, probably hasn't seen such a traumatized girl ever, as he has a brother! =) I asked them to stand against the wall for a photo together, and this is how they lined up.

Julia and Ms. Gwen on the tractor ride. Ms. Gwen told me today that Julia is "all girl."

Ry is excited I'm taking a turn watching him at his party! See his face painting? It's a pumpkin!

After the school party we stopped at Uncle Brian and Aunt Krista's house and saw Tyler and Baby Lucas. Then we came home and Jeff asked the kids how their party was and Ry says "Party? We didn't have a party! There were no cupcakes!"
Then it was naptime, which I told Ryan he must take in order to go trick or treating tonight. He kept telling me, "Mommy, I just can't sleep!" I finally had him close his eyes and told him to imagine the story I was about to tell him in his head and told a story about Thomas trains getting dirty and going to the engine wash. He finally fell asleep...and so did I! What a nice afternoon!

Trick or Treating at Uncle Jeff and Aunt Amy's House

Knock, knock!

Trick or Treat!!

Julia thinks this is the coolest night ever! Ry is just being as patient as possible as he waits for some candy!

Awww..hugs for Aunt Amy!

Trick or Treating at Grandma/Papa Harriss' House

Fun treat bags Grandma made!

Humm...what did you get, brother?

Then we walked across the street to the Ford's house so that the kids could trick or treat there. Mr. Ford asked Ry if he had a trick and he did a little dance for him...very cute.

Mr. Ford and Ry, who debates if he'll get in trouble if he busts open one of his new Reese's Cups now or if he must wait. =)

Thanks!

Thanks, Aunt Kathy and Grumpy for our fun Halloween mail and gift cards to our FAVORITE restaurant! Love, Kermit and Miss Piggy

Now Booking Fall Outdoor Photo Sessions

Only 8 more weeks until Christmas! Can you believe it?! Many of you have asked about photos for your holiday cards, and I am happy to release the news on our blog that Jeff is currently booking photo sessions for this Saturday - November 1. The weather is predicted to be in the mid 60's, so that is EXCITING (Those of you who have frozen or sweated through your photos in the past know exactly how exciting this is!!)

Here are some details:

1 hour photo session for your family; will take both family photos and individual photos of you and the kids (pets welcome). If you have seen a particular shot you like, please bring a copy along and we'll do our best to recreate this look for your family! You are welcome to do any type of wardrobe change if you would like, although please remember there is not a great place to change at our outdoor location! The location is in Glen Carbon, across from City Hall. We will send more details on this and dress recommendations when you book your time.

$75 includes the photo session along with a CD of your pictures, and a release letter permitting you to have these photos printed. (We have found this to be a requirement at our local Walgreens and Walmart photo centers). The "top pics" will be retouched for you (and any others at your request). You may then print as many of these photos as you'd like!

Messy Wednesday

Today we baked our pumpkin seeds.
I mixed them with some olive oil, crushed garlic
and parmesan cheese. Yummy!

Then we had lunch. I was going to make the kids some PB&J, but Ryan said "No, Mommy! The kind from the "ridger-ator!" Apparently, Smuckers Uncrustables is trumping my whole-grain honey pb&j offerings.

After lunch, our little MESSY princess said "Please, Cuse (excuse)! Down, please!" I took her out of her high chair and told her to not move, I needed to clean her up. I was able to get her face and hands before she ran off and HID before I could strip down these clothes. Humm..where could she be?!!? Here is a snapshot of the bottom of the living room curtains. =)

And there she is! Seriously, our girl has some TALENT to make such a mess from one sandwich!?! If you look closely at the right side of her hair, you will notice it is also adorned with something sticky. Time for shower #2 and outfit change #3 of the day. No wonder I can't seem to keep up with the laundry around here! (And she WAS wearing a bib..I am not sure why I bother!)

Ry wants me to take his picture with his head sideways like this and then requests to see the camera screen. He immediately cracks up at how crazy he thinks this is when I show him. I promise him we'll add this nonsense to the blog. TaaaDaaa! =)

Pumpkin Carving

Julia opens a little treat from a friend at preschool.

Jeff hard at work!

Julia isn't quite sure what to think, but she is mad I nabbed her cup away from her!

Boo Bags

Monday evening we went to my parents house for dinner and so that the kids could get their "Boo Bags."

The kids seemed to enjoy the time with their cousins!

Baby Lucas, Julia, Tyler, Uncle Mat, Ryan and Glammie excited with their bags!

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Amy smile as the kids run around NUTS in the background!..look at Jeff's face...it's like "Ha, they are going home with YOU and not us! Hope you all get some sleep tonight!" Which, SHOCKINGLY, we did. The one night lately the kids both sleep through...maybe we should try some sugar induced fun again and see what happens! Because the "sleep fairy" has NOT been on my side lately, as the kids have had colds/sinus infection for 3 weeks now!...it's always someone (or the dog even..grrr!) wakes up coughing, needing a kleenex, needing to potty, etc! Jeff and Baby Lucas enjoy some hang time.

Wow...they are momentarily quiet after getting their bags. When I asked who wanted candy, my two raised their hands and yelled "Me!!!" I told them to all get on the couch, and haven't seem them all move so fast to follow a direction before! =)

This was a LOUD activity. They had a blast though, so we let them carry on. Tyler loves to do whatever Ryan is doing, and Ry loves the attention. At one point, Ry went up to Tyler and handed him a noisemaker and said "Here, you be this. Now come'on!"

Glammie and Papa take a break from the commotion! Thanks for the fun "Boo Bags" and dinner!