Pumpkins.......and shots

So, yesterday I had to take Preston and Ella to get their yearly physicals which means they usually get shots also. As soon as Preston heard that we were going to the Dr., he started crying and would not get in the car! I finally had to bribe him with a trip to Toys r' Us to get him in the car. I don't usually bribe with toys, but we were already late for the appointment as it was and I had spent all morning getting three kids fed and dressed (not to mention getting myself ready) and that is a circus by itself! So in that moment I figured a trip to the toy store was worth it! At the appointment we found that Preston weighs 40 pounds and is 3' 6". He also has 20/20 vision in both eyes! Ella is 32 pounds and is 3'2" and is in the 90th percentile for her age in weight and height. Healthy kids!! =) Then came the shots...yuck. Preston screamed so loud I heard ringing in my right ear for the rest of the day. He also lost his voice for the rest of the day. Poor guy did get 3 shots and blood drawn. Ella was just due for one shot. She handled it like a champ! She climbed right up on my lap and let the nurse give her the shot. She cried a little when the needle went in, but that's it! I'm so glad that's over. We then of course ventured off to the toy store.

When Mike came home we ate dinner and......carved pumpkins!! Our friends Rod and Ren (the kids unofficial Uncles) came over and they carved one and Mike and the kids carved the other. I took pictures (although I did help Mike get the pumpkin gook out...but I left the carving to him!). This was the first time we carved pumpkins as a family! Preston was never old enough to really care about carving, but this year he was so excited to! It was so fun to watch the kids have a great time and to watch Mike have fun with the kids. He is such a good Daddy!! We love him! Rod and Ren are always entertaining. The kids adore them. I am so glad they were able to join in the pumpkin carving festivities!! =)


The kids at the pumpkin patch picking their pumpkins.


Cute baby on the haystack!


Mommy and Aaden climbing the haystack


Silly!


We picked our pumpkins!!


The carving begins!!


Aaden watched from his highchair


See...Mommy helped with the gook


Daddy hard at work (Ella doesn't like to wear clothes anymore..she always takes them off, I didn't forget to dress her!! =))


We're finished!! We let Preston draw the face before Mike carved it.


Ha! What dorks!! =)


Here's a better one


How pretty!!

Here are just some cute pictures I took yesterday of the kids playing out front.

Preston playing in our "playroom"....the garage!!


Aaden likes to watch the kids run around from his bouncer!


Ella driving her car while sucking her thumb ...in her heels! =)

Preston's Halloween party is tomorrow night so I will have a bunch of pictures of the kids in their costumes for the next post!

Finally!!!

Mike is finally home! He has to travel every now and then with his job and he was gone one week to New York, came home long enough for us to go on a weekend camping trip to Shaver Lake and then left again for Texas for another week. UGH. I hate that he has to travel, but thankfully it isn't very often. So now he is back with us! We missed him!

Before Mike left, my Grandma came for a week long visit from Pennsylvania! I love seeing my cute Grandma and the kids adore their "Gee-Gee". It was a fun visit and we can't wait to see her again at Christmas!! We love you Gee-Gee!

While Mike was gone the first week, I took the kids to a pumpkin patch with our good friends the Blues. The kids had a blast! They ran around like crazy with their friends. We have to make another trip though so Mike can come with us next time.

Our trip to Shaver Lake was fun! We went with Mike's parents and my sister-in-law, Jenny and her family. The kids always have fun camping with Grandma and Grandpa and of course their Aunty and Uncle and cousins. We went up to celebrate my nephew's 7th Birthday. Happy Birthday Conner!! It was so nice up in the mountains, but it was FREEZING!! You had to either stay in the camper or sit by the fire pretty much the whole time because it was so cold out! Preston had a lot of fun climbing rocks with Conner and Emma and just running around. Ella had a quick bout with an illness when we were there, but by Sat. afternoon she was running around, back to her old self. She loves playing with Emma! It is so cute to watch the girls be girly together! Poor Aaden was just a big lump of clothing the whole time! I had to layer him up and bundle him to keep him warm. His little cheeks still got all red and chapped though, poor guy! Thanks again, Grandma and Grandpa for your trailer! We look forward to more fun trips with you!!


Here are a few pics of Mike's Birthday dinner also. We went to dinner with my parents, my brother, Chris and our friends Rod and Ren.





Ha! My brother is such a dork!! =)




"Gee-gee" and "Bumpa"!



We love you, Gee-gee!!!


The kids running to the big pumpkin!


The girls.....shopping! (Ella and her girlfriends Emmy and Annie!)


My little pumpkins


The gang. The two babies are missing from the picture...Aaden and Ezra. Our friends have four kids, so when we get together with them there are SEVEN kids all five and under. It's a zoo, but we love it!!


Preston and his best bud, Elijah.


Conner and his presents at Shaver Lake!


Aaden and I trying to stay warm!!


Mike, Trent and Chuck chopped our fire wood. Thanks guys!!


Jenny, Chuck and Mike trying to stay warm by the fire


Grandma and Aaden were smart...they stayed warm in the camper!!


My Ella Bella


All ready for our walk to the store!


The kiddos by the lake


Cousin love..


Aawww...so cute!


Preston and Conner climbed to the top of these really tall rocks!!

P.S. Thanks to both Grandmas for helping us while Mike was gone!! We love you!!

My Big Boy!!

So I started Aaden on rice cereal a week ago and he loves it! It took awhile for him to learn to swallow it instead of push it out, but now he's a pro! It is so nice because it allows me to get out of the house a bit. Aaden is nursing only (no formula) so that means that wherever I go, he goes. Or if I leave him at home with Mike I can only be gone for an hour. Now that he started cereal, I can leave him with Mike and if he gets hungry, Mike can feed him cereal! So this week I went out with my dear friend Jessie. We went on a run and then to dinner! It was so much fun! I also went to a movie with my Mom! That was fun, I haven't been to a movie in ages....

Aaden also started rolling over a few weeks ago! Now when I put him on the floor on his back, he flips right over onto his tummy! It is so cute! I can't wait until he starts crawling! Wait a minute, then I'll be chasing three children..maybe I can wait a little while! =)

ALSO...It's Mike's birthday today!!! I am so thankful to have such a wonderful husband. He is a terrific Daddy to our kids and he is so good to me. He always offers to watch the kids for me when he gets home from work so I can get out of the house for a bit. I love you, Mike, with all my heart. I am so glad God placed us together! You are my best friend and I love the family we have built together. I am proud of you for all you do for us....HAPPY BIRTHDAY,PAL!