Christmas Preparations

This time of year is definitely a favorite around the Gillespie house.  We've been busy with Christmas fun and preparations...Jesus's birthday party at our church, gingerbread houses, Santa dance, hot chocolate, listening to Christmas music, Jacuzzi baths, wagon and car rides to see the Christmas lights, finding Rosie the Elf, opening the Advent calendar, checking our stockings daily, watching Santa's reindeer and special messages from Santa on the computer, wrapping presents, making gifts, decorating the Christmas tree, and baking cookies.

First Haircut!

As Greta would say, our little Gabriel had some "strings" that needed to be cut.  He wasn't feeling the best, but he still did okay as long as Mommy held him to get his first haircut.  What a handsome boy!

Boo!

 

 Halloween brought pumpkin carving the night before with Daddy, trick or treating with Mommy (Daddy was busy coaching the Hornet football team at the Fargo Dome), and handing out candy.  Mommy was sure happy she had her candy corn witch to help with all the candy we gave out!

 This little hamburger was done for the night.  I couldn't even get him to pose for a picture.

 

More Fall Fun

I needed to clean off my camera, as with the snow on the ground, I'll be posting winter activities soon.

 

 Our wonderful Goose Gang set up this great corn pool for the kids, which made for a fun late morning activity.

 

 We made our annual trip to Janu's Pumpkin Patch and got to see our beloved, Buckshot.

 

 Gabriel was pretty interested in Buckshot this year, too.

 

Lastly, we made a trip to Ottertail for their pumpkin days.  These were all locally grown pumpkins, weighing close to 1000 pounds!

Halloween Extravaganza!

We attended our neighbor's second annual Halloween Extravaganza today.  Minnie Mouse and the Hamburger had fun playing games, going on a scavenger hunt, racing in potato sacks, and eating with their friends.

 Pumpkin bowling

 

 Gabriel with his buddy, Ian.

 

 Greta did such a great job at the potato sack races this year!

 

 Greta and her friend, Quinn.

 

Taters

 

 

On my Mondays off with my babes, Greta and I usually find a pinterest project to complete during Gabriel's morning nap.  Last Monday, we found an activity that Gabriel could have fun with, too.  We made mashed potatoes, colored them green, and got messy!

Fall Fun

 

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful fall weekend, and Mama was all about taking advantage of it!  Sunday has been homework day for Daddy as he's working on his masters, so the kids and I went to Maplewood State Park and hiked up Hallaway Mount (aka Hill).  Greta was our official water carrier and hiked the whole .4 miles up and back!

 

 Saturday brought a play date at the park with Greta's neighborhood friends and a trip to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch with the whole family.  Greta's mission to get a pumpkin...#1) Push your brother up the hill to the pumpkin patch.

 

#2) Scrub your pumpkin clean

#3) Paint your pumpkin :)

This is the look I was getting until I shared my apple parfait with him.  Who knew you could chomp down a crisp apple with only 6 little teeth.

Finally, our hay ride through the orchard.

First Day of Preschool!

My sweet Greta is officially a preschooler.  I must say I was a little tearful sending my baby off to full-day preschool two days a week.  She had a great first week, though, and is very excited about her teachers and new friends (the girl in the pink shirt, the really tall girl, the boy in the green shirt...she'll learn names later.)  I know she's going to have a fantastic year!



Stats

 Greta Mary (Age 4)

Blood Pressure: 104/58

Pulse:  100 bpm

Height:  43 inches (96%)

Weight:  40 lbs, 3 oz. (80%)

 

Gabriel Patrick (Age 1)

Height: 28.5 inches (7%)

Weight:  20 lbs, 6 oz. (33%)

Head Circumference:  18 inches (59%)