new built-in shelves

Don't our new built-in shelves provide the perfect architectural detail and storage to our basement? We love having such a talented brother-in-law.

 

 

 

 

 

good passengers

 

cuteness

future plans

Tyler came home from daycare today and announced that he wants to be an architect when he grows up. He loves to build things and wants to design tall buildings one day.

me three

Mommy: I love this song!
Tyler: Me too!
Jenna: Me three!

granola bar addicts

 

pumpkin carving and painting

I had been fielding requests all week to carve our pumpkins. I made it one week before I caved. We carved one and painted the rest. Tyler had picked out a white pumpkin that he immediately said he wanted painted with black polka dots. We added stripes to another one as well.

 

 

 

zoo day

We had a great day at the National Zoo. It was too beautiful of a day to waste it indoors. Both kids said that their favorite animals that they saw that day were the zebras. But they also enjoyed the pandas, elephants, tigers and gorillas. Tyler especially got excited by the gorillas. He was on the other side of the glass, but the gorilla came right up to him. Tyler started squealing which seemed to annoy the big guy so he punched the glass right where Tyler's head was. Amusing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

can i come?

As soon as we talk about any event or somewhere we should go, Jenna's first question is, "Can I come?" Like we would ever leave her!

pumpkin patch

The Kayes were planning to join us again at our annual pumpkin patch outing, but poor baby Ryan was sick. We almost canceled as well because of Jenna's allergic reaction the prior day, but she insisted that she was up for the trip despite still having a rash around her mouth. She was right, we all had a great time and the weather was actually unseasonably warm on this particular day. Tyler and the tractor driver, Earl, also realized that they share an 11/11 birthday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

allergic reaction

By the time we got home, Jenna looked like this and had a high fever. After some benedryl and tylenol and a good nap, things were much better. Seemingly, she had an allergic reaction to some lotion that I put on her face. Although I still question that diagnosis (I also put it on her forehead, why is it not red there?) since we've had no more incidents like this, I can't know for sure.

rennaissance festival

What a beautiful October day to be outside! The Linsenmeyers and Campbells headed to RennFest. The kids had a ball popping bubbles and checking out the girls hanging from ribbons. Tyler spotted a Merlin hat that he loved and wore the remainder of the day. Jenna tolerated her princess hat.

The two mishaps of the day? John fell and badly sprained his ankle. Then Jenna started getting red circles under her eyes. It was only getting worse so we headed out early to be safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

friday morning

thursday morning

 

wednesday morning

costume preview

 

We all look very happy here don't we? If only I knew what was to come this evening.

Alex had left for a week-long business trip. So with just the kids, I let them have cereal for dinner. Each year around this time we let Tyler get one box of Booberry cereal. Both kids enjoyed it and following dinner I let them try on their costumes which had arrived in the mail. All smiles. Then we headed upstairs to take off the costumes in order to keep them clean and nice for Halloween. As I lifted Jenna up to her changing table, I saw the look. You know the one...the one that says, I'm about to barf. Yes, she did. All over my new cream sweater, all over her brand new costume and all over the cream carpet. l put her down to assess the situation and then I saw it again. The look. I raced her to the bathroom across the hall but that only succeeded in leaving a trail of blue from her room to the bathroom. Tears. Screams as Tyler tried to warn me that Ruby is now tasting the blue carpet spots. And then my gritches that of course this would happen on the first night Alex is out of town. But we pulled it together.

I gave Jenna a bowl and demonstrated how she should use it in case she felt sick again. This is where the laughter came. She kept sticking her tongue out and gesturing throw up. This is only cute when an adorable two-year-old does it!

my babies