Halloween Fun!

Our neighbors put on a cute Halloween party for the kids including games, projects, food, and a toasty fire to keep warm.

 

Greta enjoying her apple cider by the fire.  Her friend Nora must have been a little cold.
 



 Mommy and Daddy also had their annual Halloween Road Rally.  Once again it was a great time.  Thanks Oma for watching the kids!

 

Wedding Bliss

Greta was pretty excited a couple weekends ago when we got to go to Old Papa's town for my cousin Nick's wedding.  She was quite the little dancing queen.  She even was flirting with the DJ to keep the smoke machine running :)

 

Greta with her Old Papa.

 Gabriel was quite the life of the party as well.

 Greta with my cousin Erika and her daughter Ella.

 

Gabriel and Oma hitting the dance floor.

Greta and Reagan.

We've Been BOO-ed!

The other night I went to let Maggie out and found a bucket of treats and this sign.  We were "BOO-ed" by the phantom ghost of Halloween!  We had to make two more treat buckets and deliver them to neighbors without being seen.  Greta got to stay up a little later and go outside when it was dark.  She reminded me, "Don't worry, Mom.  I'm not scared.  I'm brave."

We had to hang the sign on our door, so everybody knows we've already been "BOO-ed."

 

On a side note, Bryan's aunt, Betty, sent these adorable tag blankets for the kids and bibs and burpies for Gabriel!

Pumpkins

We made our annual trip to Janu's Pumpkin Patch this last weekend.  Every year they seem to add something new and exciting.  This year it was a corn maze.  We had a beautiful day and lots of fun!

Greta ready for the hay ride.

 

An attempt at a family photo.  I think this is going to be a lot more difficult.

 



Gabriel was into snuggling.



The bouncy castle!

 



Greta and Daddy went out to the patch to pick a pumpkin and this was the pumpkin our little darling picked...

...and this is what they settled with.

Remember Buckshot from last year.  She's still around and as friendly as ever.

Busy washing her pumpkin.

The New Kids on the Block

I love our neighborhood and all the great families.  Today, Gabriel had his first playdate (or Mommy had a nice outing) with the new neighborhood boys.  Gabriel is 9 weeks 6 days, Ian is 9 weeks 3 days, and Joey is 2 weeks 6 days.  I can just imagine all the trouble these little guys are going to get into when they get a little bigger.

Two Months

Our little Gabey Baby is now two months old!  He had his check-up and shots and was a little trooper.  At two months, he's a lot more aware, happy, and loves to smile.  He's still working on cooing and "talking."  The other night I was putting him in his car seat and called him, "Toots."  Greta said, "Hey that's not Toots, that's Chubby Cheeks."  As you can see by the pictures, the name is still very fitting :) 

 

2 Month Stats:

Height: 23 inches (48th percentile)

Weight: 11 lbs, 15 oz (41st percentile)

Head Circumference: 15.5 inches (57th percentile) 

First Road Trip

Last week I packed up the kids and headed to the Cities to visit Oma and Opa for the week.  Both kids were excellent in the car, making it a pleasant three hour adventure.  We had a great time, and I know Greta was not ready to leave.  I appreciated all the help and delicious cooking.  Thanks again, Oma!

Gabriel during his first bowl bath.  Sadly, this will probably be his last.  He's turning into quite the little chunker.

Greta was so excited to give Gabriel a bowl bath, as she loves the pictures of her as a baby in the bowl.

I woke up one morning to this adorable face.  Greta was helping Oma make zucchini bread.

Gabriel dressed in his tiger apparel for his first trip to the Como Zoo.

Greta had a few play dates with Henry at Oma and Opa's and the park.  They spent hours outside picking up acorns, pinecones, and sticks.

Mamma Turns 31!

I had a great birthday with supper at Zorbaz compliments of my father and an ice cream cake compliments of my husband.  My mama treated my to a chai tea and sister and brother-in-law to a delicious lunch at the Gathering Grounds.  (I guess food makes me happy.)  Gabriel let me sleep for 5 hours straight and Greta told me, "I love you, Mommy.  You are my whole world."  I couldn't have asked for a better day!

Sibling Love

Greta is so proud of her little brother, and loves her little "Shubby Sheeks" so much!  She's always willing to help and smothers him with kisses.  Tante watched Gabriel while Greta and I made a quick trip to the store, and as we were leaving she told Tante, "If he cries, you just rock him."  They truly are precious :)