Gobble Gobble 2010

In no particular order, here are the highlights of our fun Thanksgiving break. Mom criticized my mothering hair sense suggesting I cut Aves' hair. It's long on top, and short on the sides and back. I argue that doesn't everyone have longer hair on top? Anway, I tested the mousse-and-scrunch look today and am quite pleased =). So, problem solved! (I've yet to solve my problem of never getting that little face completely clean. I thought it was squash-free until I saw this picture.)

I wish I had taken more pictures. Tate was in his element running around with all his cousins. I did get some cute shots of dad with some of his grandsons. First, there's Luke imitating dad not only in position, but in watching some old war movie. What happens at grandpa's stays at grandpas, right?!

Then, we have Bre's little 4 week old, Lane snuggling up with gramps. I got some quality snuggly with the sweet dude, too. I had definitely been looking forward to that and it was great!

That last two shots were taken during packing before we went to P-town. We had been snowed in for a few days, so the discovery of riding around the floor in a duffle was a hit. Give it a try next time your snow or rained in! Aunt Jenn dragged Tate in the bag around while Avery chased them, both kids squealing with delight. =)

latest antics

Today was a good day. Tate was saying "sorry mumble mumble pushing" or "sorry mumble mumble Avery" after time-outs. It was exciting for me to hear an apology and a recognition of the crime. He's learning!!

He's obsessed with potties. He was forcing me to draw potties in all colors the other day. Yes, forcing! (Just look at that deadly fist)

You can barely tell, because I have lightning-quick reflexes, but Avery tasted her first blue marker. She was upset that I removed it.

Then, we have some park shots. We're still getting out there! They're predicting snow this weekend. I'm ready to move to AZ.

And finally, some more bed head because it really makes me happy. Followed up with some hat for her royal cuteness.

bed head

I needed to replace the picture that I see when I check the blog. This shot makes me happy =)

Fall 2010

Yes, I look dumb, but someday I won't care and will like a picture of Aves and I.
I came across these pictures on mom's computer today and wanted them, so here on a blog is the best route.
This was just a few days after her first birthday. Grandpa great's bench in ma's backyard.
Pretty flowers. This is at Hilary's old house.
I just love the belly!

So many faces!
Family pictures. So many taken and this is the best we have =)

Looking here, I'm so happy we gave him a big haircut! The shirt speaks the truth.

Happy Halloween

Pebbles and Bam Bam enjoyed some church chili feed and trunk-or-treating. I didn't get a shot of Eric's Magnum P.I. get-up. His Hawaiian shirt was orange so when the mustache fell off, it doubled as a Fred Flinstone costume. Tate likes his costume, and it may have something to do with the fact that his bottoms are the same pattern as our yoga mat he loves to play on. Of course it also helps that we throw a fuss over how cute he is as Bam Bam, plus he gets a bat and people hand out candy! After dinner, the kids paraded across the stage and Tate wasn't interested when he encouraged him to join in. Then, once he saw all the kids do it, he jumped up and paraded across the stage a couple times after everyone else was done. I think he's a teenager in a toddler body-uninterested in what his parents say, but will do anything his peers do.
This was our first trunk-or-treat and we made some trunk "teeth" out of a cardboard box and attached it with some duct tape. It was rinky-dink, but I had fun making the trunk nearly "eat" the kids' hands as they reached inside for candy. Maybe we'll keep this teeth thing up next year and make some improvements.
I wasn't around when Eric took Tate home to check out his candy stash. Eric said he was pulling the candy out one by one and would say, "Wow!" with each one. The next morning when we gave him his candy bag, he would unwrap the candy and if it wasn't soft enough for a bite, he would trash it. I was encouraging this until he got to the root beer barrel. "No, yummy!" I said as he went to dump it. But he dumped it anyway. He really only eats the tootsie rolls and chocolate.
Tate was stumbling around this morning in my mary jane's. It was pretty funny. Eric put the mustache on him to help with the manly image!

Baby Lane

(This random picture of Avery is to show my new favorite hairstyle for her. When I first do it after her bath, it sticks straight up. So delightful =) This is the best shot I could get of my little moving target!)

Now on to the real reason for the post:

Last Monday, I get a call from mom and answer it by saying that I'm already on baby watch for Bre, who was due on Halloween (Sunday).

Mom says, "Uuh, Shelly....she's at a 9."

So we decide we have to take off within the hour to go see them in Portland. Many many thanks to Ashley for thinking to take my kids as soon as we got in town so we could visit the new parents and baby in peace!! We arrived a couple hours after Bre gave birth and everyone was healthy and well. That's the first time, as an adult, that I've visited a new baby in the hospital. It is such a special time and the feeling is definitely from heaven. We didn't want to leave. Here are some shots.

Grandma with grandbaby #8

Deep in thought

Just being beautiful

Lane Anthony Spratling
25 October 2010
8 lb 4 oz
21 in

Cupcake Progression

start off dainty,
then, going...
going...

gone!