It's the Lilly & Daddy Shoooowwwww

Sing the title to the tune of "Itchy and Scratchy" from The Simpsons... that's how I pictured it. Anyhow, this post is mostly about Lilly & Jeremy carving those pumpkins that Lilly picked out last weekend. I was in charge of Zac and the camera.
First, they drew faces on the pumpkins.

Then they cut the head off and looked inside. This, obviously, was hilarious!

Then they explored and played with the guts.

Next they had to make sure the guts were all out.

TaDa! A masterpiece!

The next night they did the same, but with the other pumpkin. I especially like this picture because Lilly and Jeremy are twinsies.

We can't leave Zac out completely. He hasn't been feeling too good. In fact, he got sent home from school on Wednesday after throwing up and just feeling miserable. We were lucky that Rob was available and so very willing to pick him up and take care of him for the rest of the day, plus all day on Thursday. Thanks Rob! Anyhow, he got really cold after his bath one night so I put this robe on him. I think this is the first time either of my kids have worn a robe after bath! This will be one of those pictures that he will hate when he's older. Sorry Zacky! I think it looks smart.

Also, the kids got a "care package" from grandma and grandpa Yager yesterday. Lilly was so excited to open it! Zac mostly tried to eat it.

Opening the presents is half the fun with you're little, huh?

Lilly got two super cute wintery dresses and Zac got a sweatshirt and a couple pairs of warm pants. They both are definitely in need of winter clothes, so that was great! Thanks grandma and grandpa!
Lilly, of course, choose one of her new dresses to wear today, then made a super goofy face while I took a picture. What a ham!

Sorry it's been a while between posts. This week has been hectic to say the least. Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween - I'll be posting pics of that for sure!

Married for 60 YEARS!!!

How is that even possible? My grandparents are young, hip, fun, and still in love after 60 years of marriage! Grandma and grandpa, you are inspirational both as individuals and as a couple.
Actually, their anniversary was last week, but last night was the party thrown by my dad and his two brothers and all the wives. It was a blast!
Here are the not-so-newlyweds now!

Zac got dressed up for the occasion of course!

As did Lilly! By the end of the night (and after a couple of faceplants that resulted in hysterical laughter) she got pretty good at holding up her dress while running or dancing. My beautiful sister and her beautiful family!

Uncle Rob came (and Marv too, of course), and here he is with his little buddy Zac!

And the Plaisteds of course. I love John and Sharon!

Lilly danced the night away! She kept dragging me, Jeremy, or other partygoers onto the floor with her. It was a riot!

My mom looked great last night!

And daddy too, of course! Dad, I really like this picture of us! :)

Kendra, here is a cute one of us, except my smile is ginormous! Not that I'm not thrilled to be standing by you, but seriously!

Jeremy had to work, but got there just in time for dinner and some fun! Lilly was thrilled to have her favorite dance partner there!

My dad gave a beautiful toast!

(Grandma, unfortunately, didn't have a drink with which to toast, so someone gave her theirs at the same time as Stevie gave her Shyla's bottle. Poor grandma! And, poor Shyla!)

The secret to a happy, 60+ year marriage? Shove cake in your spouse's face as frequently as possible. Ok, maybe they didn't actually SAY that outloud, but that's what I'm taking from this picture. Jeremy, where are you? And do we have any cake?

Again, inspirational! Grandma and grandpa, I love you so much! My dad said it best in his toast when he said that you are "mom and pop" to so many people!

The brothers and wives put on one heck of a party! A lot of work went into it, and a lot of people really enjoyed it. Thanks!

On another note, today is Stevie's birthday! The birthday's just keep coming this time of year! Stevie, Kendra is one lucky lady. I mean, you are lookin' good my friend!

Happy birthday Stevie Joe! Love you!

The Great Pumpkin Race!

We went to Buckelew Farms today for a 5K and some good clean pumpkin fun! But first, here is a pic of my sister on her birthday as promised. Lovely huh?



I had to wake the kids up early to get way out to the pumpkin farm, but the fun started as soon as we got there! These are before the race:

My mom took watched Lilly, Zac and Shyla during the race, then it was on to some fun! Isn't this a sweet picture of Zac?

Lilly got her face painted for the first time ever. She choose a pumpkin, and she loved showing it off after!

Then we took a ride out to the pumpkin patch to get our pumpkins! Zac was napping at this point, so Lilly got to pick his out. She kept thinking they were too big for him though! ha!

Zac is taking it all in...

Lilly is queen of the world!! (Nope, don't know this other kid. I had every intention of cropping him out, but I forgot. oops!)

And, back home this afternoon. I'm so lucky that Lilly loves to help out so much!

Happy weekend!

Happy Birthday Kendra!!

Happy birthday to my baby sister today! We got to carpool to work, which is always a treat, then had a quick dinner/cake at my parent's house. Kendra, I am happy you were born! lol! Love you!!
I did take a couple of pictures, but naturally left my camera at my parent's house. I'll post the pics later on this weekend.
This weekend will be BUSY, but definitely very fun! Tomorrow we are going to some pumpkin farm for a 5K plus Fall Festival of Fun (I made up that name - cute huh?), then on Sunday we will be celebrating my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary. Wonderful!
Happy Friday night... I'm off to watch Michelle Obama on Leno!

20th update & flashback!

Zac is 10 months old today! He is a smiling, busy, stubborn little guy with those piercing blue eyes and an appetite that just won't quit!

He is still pulling himself up and walking as long as he is holding onto something. I am actually suprised that he's not trying to take some steps on his own yet. We're encouraging but not rushing him. He'll do it when he's ready, I'm just surprised since he started pulling himself up so long ago! Watching a child grow and learn is simply amazing.
Lilly is also a 20th baby of course... gosh 2 years and 8 months today! This was this morning as she ate her cereal.

And then her dolly had to go potty, so she helped.

Speaking of potty, twice tonight Lilly went to potty but wouldn't let Jeremy or I go with her. "Odee mee, ok?!?" We were allowed to stand in the hallway and talk / remind her. After she "went" she even insisted on dumping her kid potty into the big one by herself. She is so grown up and independent. It is easier for us to do some of these things, but it is so important to foster her sense of independence and her confidence.... Again, watching a child grow up is simply amazing.

This is a fun pic - some of my students drew Lilly pictures before Fall break. Honestly, I can't remember exactly what spurred it on, other than the fact that Lilly always talks about how I "teach the big kids" so some of those big kids decided to draw for her (and a couple for Zac too). Lilly insisted on taping them to the wall today and looking at them over and over again. Thanks "big kids!!!"

Oh, and this was the sand that came out of Lilly's shoes this evening. Not counting what landed on the floor. Nice.

My friend Becca from Our Crazy Boys (link on the right) posted not too long ago about the "free sandbox" she commonly gets from her boys. Fun stuff!

And... Flashback!! Last October, Lilly looked like this: Super cute and so little!

And Zac was getting bigger, as was my belly!

And, happy 5 months to Shyla May!

Ciao!

Pinetop weekend!

This will be a long post with lots of pictures! We went to Pinetop this weekend, which was so much fun! My parents have a cabin up there that is the backdrop of so many happy memories growing up. We couldn't wait to get back up there this weekend.
Jeremy couldn't make this trip, so it was me and the kids, plus my sister and her family heading up on Thursday. Driving alone with the two kids was, well, trying. Lilly was awesome but Zac was understandably bored and grumpy. It was a long drive. My parents then came up Friday evening.
The leaves are changing - this pic is for you, Jeannette!

And here is Lilly in her rain coat. Nope, it didn't rain. It really wasn't even that cold. But, it still looked darn cute on her!

When my parents arrived, Stevie and Kendra and Shyla had to move out of the master bedroom and head upstairs to the loft. Stevie made me pass him the port-a-crib from below. I'm really not sure why - there are stairs you know!

One of our many walks. Not sure what is wrong with Kendra in this pic!

Awww a sleeping Shyla! What a cutie!

The three kids on another walk.

Kendra and Shyla. All together now: "Awwwww!"

Zac is a madman! That boy will not stay still while he is awake, AT ALL! I don't remember Lilly being quite this active! Is it a boy thing? He loved playing outside!

Lilly too, of course! The more outside time the better in her book!

They even had to play in my dad's boat.

Notice my dad in the background - always working! One project this weekend was stacking the newly delivered wood.

So Stevie had to help of course.

They also collected, bagged, loaded and disposed of 20+ huge bags of pine needles. What a BIG job!
All that working (and playing, on Lilly's part) makes people hungry!

All in all, it was a great trip, though I was exhausted when we got back! The drive home was long but uneventful. Lilly is a trooper, and I really think (hope?) that once Zac gets a little older it will be even easier to head up to the mountains more often. Thanks mom and dad for the memories, old and new!