Like daddy like son?

We shall see...but in the meantime, Sam is working hard at just being cute!

Sam 7.5

He just wants to stand and stand and stand and...

Generic update

The crew watching football. Emma told me in the car that she
likes football...lucky daddy!

Playing some computer games w/ daddy

Went to a Premiere Jewelery party on Friday night w/ a bunch of friends.
Good times. Here, two babes, are meeting each other for the first time: Elijah Smith

and Molly Kreider. They were born only 6 days apart.

Sam's introduction to Yesterdog!!! YUM!!

We had a fab time + lunch at Yesterdog, yesterday.
I told Joel, after we left, that (besides Jesus, of course) Ultra dogs
fill a certain void in my life. They make me sing. Mmmm!

Welcome to the world Molly Violet!

Not only was I super eager to see the new addition, but I had to confirm, for myself, that it was NOT a wig.

It is not, in fact, a wig. I even ran my own fingers through Molly's thick, luscious hair.

All I can say is Praise God for another HEALTHY baby!

Congrats Kreider family!

PIINKALICIOUS!

If any of you in blog land knows how to get your 3yo to look AT the camera and give a NORMAL smile, let me know.

Here's Emma w/ her new, PINK cast that'll come off in 4 weeks.

Congrats!

Great friends of ours gave birth to a baby boy on November 1. He is perfect. Elijah Wayne Smith is one lucky boy! The miracle of birth never ceases to amaze me!

Reformation Day celebrations

A cold and blustery day for sure, but we all had fun. Emma has been itching to wear her Sleeping Beauty costume for weeks and today was the day. In fact, last night, after we thought Emma had been sleeping, she started yelling for "daddy" and come to find out she just concerned about her arm (the one w/ the cast) fitting into her dress. We chuckled.

We started our Reformation Day celebration by going to our church for their annual fall festival. They do it up big time and it's always loads of fun. The first hour began in the gym w/ games, treats and many blow up rides/activities. Then, we headed outside for the trunk-or-treating. Sam and I retreated to the car as he was tired and done, but Emma loaded up on candy, of course.

At night we headed to our friend's, The Zondervans, house for a quick trek around their cul-de-sac and called it a night. The troops were TIRED.

Here is Sleeping Beauty, or Aurora in full dress.
Though, I was told VERY seriously that princesses do
NOT wear tights (but mom made her)

This is what I married into.
My FIL on the left, MIL in the middle, BIL on the right

Seriously...what a blast for kids. This
was one of like 4 or 5 blow-up rides for kids.

Sleeping Beauty was happy to be able to go down the slide
w/ cast and all!

Jasmine + Sleeping Beauty proclaiming their fear
if Snow White eats the apple...

Sam wasn't so sure about all the commotion and
was clearly scared a couple of times by various
costume clad people. Apparently a papa clown is not scary.

My niece Keri helping out at one of the kids games

Emma's evening posse

Sammy 7.0

Sam is 7 months old tomorrow and growing like a weed...a cute weed :)

He is very strong on his legs, not completely stable, of course, but prefers to stand to all other positions. In fact, he will often stiffen his legs, keeping them straight so I can't put him in the seated position. Sam also has an easy going personality, but he definitely will let us know what he wants, when he wants it.

Sam has 3 teeth and is non-stop drool. Emma had reflux so I remember constantly changing bibs and clothes on her, but Sam is no different, it's just drool instead of spit up. As I always say, good thing they are cute because that is what I think about while I'm doing load after load of laundry.

I'm not sure who wants him to stand more. Emma or Sam, himself.

Nope, this picture isn't sideways. He pulled his
activity table on top of him, but smiles on...

Sam could've stood by this window all night...my little nosey nellie.

John Ball Zoo

Guess where we were today? And no, we did not (eeeek!) skip bible study this morning in hopes of basking in the predicted beautiful weather...which really didn't come to pass. Well, at least it wasn't raining or snowing and we did actually see the sun for a moment or two.

Other benefits to going to zoo in the off season - we were among only a handful of other customers, the rates are way reduced and the animals seemed to be very active. One drawback was that many exhibits were closed for work, or the animals were shipped away for the season to another zoo.

All in all, worth it to see the kids RUNNING around outside and enjoying the somewhat milder weather.

Smoke house

Our annual trip to the Smoke house was fun, again. It never hurts to be reminded how to act in the case of a fire, especially for kids. Thanks to the trusty Byron Township firefighters for showing us the ropes again!

Firefighter Joel welcoming the brood

Alice in Wonderlandesque

Good job Brody!

Learning how to dial 911

Firewoman Syd