Lilah's "Not So Spooky" Halloween Party and Our Spooky Halloween

We decided to bravely take on the Halloween party since our good friend Jen moved. She did the most amazing, creative and crafty parties...so needless to say I had a lot to live up to. Luckily she helped with my decorations and sent them via email to me. And I had a lot of help with my snacks. And I think I'm still not recovered (sleep wise). But, Lilah had a blast and I think all the kids had a wonderful time.

Tonight we went to our annual trick or treating adventure to Edmonds. It's really great because they block off the downtown area and all the businesses give out candy. It's safe and easy and a short walk from granny's. Lilah was a little too aware this year of the other costumes. And some were pretty spooky. She would say, "Oh look!" when she spotted a scary costume or mask. She did pretty good but after about a half hour was very ready to head back to granny's for awhile. It was a great Halloween evening and nice to end the night with granny's homemade chicken noodle soup. Yum!

After Ultrasound #2...

"It" is a "she"!

Baby Treats

After searching around in Fred Meyer for the perfect little treat for Lilah when we find out the sex of baby tomorrow (hopefully he or she will be more compliant tomorrow than this time last week), I just decided on pink and blue jelly beans. I told Lance that I was in the worst and most painful shoes trying to do my shopping and couldn't walk anymore. I was having visions of cutting off my feet. Anyhow, she will get the pink jelly beans for a baby girl and blue for a baby boy. Well, for pictures sake. Eventually she'll probably get all of them since we're not big jelly bean fans.

Pumpkin Carving with Daddy

Today we (meaning Lance) carved Lilah's pumpkin. Lilah sort of helped, but was going between an Elmo movie and helping daddy. She wanted to help draw on the pumpkin and helped take out the seeds from the inside (which she thought was very yucky). You can tell from the look on her face on some of the pictures that she thought it was pretty nasty. Lance did the hard work and I roasted the seeds (oh delicious) and got dinner ready. Lilah bopped in and out, helping a little here and there. She mainly wanted to sit next to the pumpkin and snuggle with it, and see it lit up in the pumpkin.

They were both drawing pumpkin pictures to practice before it was set in stone on the pumpkin

And...here's daddy, workin' solo

Scoopin' out the guts

She didn't really like her hands covered in the goop

Yucky!

This is what I get when I ask for a smile

The finished pumpkin all lit up outside - she loves it and just wanted to snuggle the pumpkin

Hot "Chocit" Date

It seemed like a perfect morning for some coffee and hot chocolate. Pouring rain, cold weather, and leaves falling. We met our good friends Liz, Clara and Crosby for some late morning breakfast treats. Lilah and Clara were so funny and giggly. They were hugging and snuggling and making Liz and I laugh. Crosby was very interested in eating - such a boy! Liz and I always have a nice time together and have a lot to chat about. I feel so blessed to have met her and that the girls get along so well.

Just some snugglin and drinking hot chocolate

This was how many of my pictures turned out - and they actually were having a blast and giggling until I whipped the camera out

Ahh...that's more like it

Saved Up Snuggles, Hugs and Kisses

Lilah has waited a long time (and me too) to snuggle, hug and kiss baby Kylee. She was in the NICU for the last two months, born about 12 weeks early. Kylee came home last Monday and Lilah and I got to visit on Thursday. She was so sweet and seems to be doing really well. She is eating well, sleeping pretty well (normal at least) and staying healthy. Mandi is tired, but it comes with the territory. :)
Lilah did so well holding Kylee. She snuggled her and kept giving her kisses on her forehead. It was so very sweet. And Lilah wasn't too excited about sharing her either. When granny or mama wanted to hold her, it was Lilah's turn again. She'll for sure be a good cousin and hopefully will get some practice for her brother or sister.

Pumpkin Patchin' It

We have had two visits to two different little pumpkin patches in the area. Our first was at Remlinger with a lot of our PEPS friends and Julie and Samson. It was a pretty yucky and gross day, but the kids don't care at all. Lilah was thrilled to get the opportunity finally to wear her raincoat and rainboots. We got to ride in their little train and see a lot of animals and some pretty spooky and scary scarecrows and dummies dressed up as old time farm workers. I wouldn't want to go there in the dark for sure. We got to see some other animals, but Lilah thought the best part was sitting on the fake pig statue for a picture. Before we left she was one of only two of the kids who rode on a little ride that swung the kids around in a circle. She was a little leery at first but then loved it.

Lilah "driving" an old fire truck

Samson, Lilah and Olivia

This guy was a little too friendly - Julie thought he might give Samson a little sneaky bite!

On the train ride

Julie and Samson on the train

I swear they had fun on the train....just couldn't get a smile out of either of the girls for anything

Liz, Clara and Crosby

She clearly decided she liked the ride

Sitting on the "pig"....the highlight of the farm animals

Today we visiting a pumpkin farm just down the hill from our house with daddy. It was a nicer day, but still a little chilly and foggy out. We picked out a huge pumpkin for Lilah and she got to join the pumpkin for a wheelbarrow ride. Her favorite part though really was seeing the animals. They didn't have many - but a few will do for her. A few alpacas, goats and chickens. And the best part - we were minutes away from home so we didn't have to go far to pick out the perfect pumpkin!