Happy Halloween!

For Halloween our kiddos turned into a monkey and a little chicky.  It was a fun year to have a two year old getting into the dressing up and trick or treating.  We had a lot of fun going around our neighborhood.  Maia loved that she got to pick out candy from a bowl and put it in her bag.  This sort of thing has been a common thing for her.  That is, carrying around bags with books, puzzle pieces, blocks, mainly anything small enough to put in a bag and tote it around the house.  So trick or treating was a very exciting thing.  I don't know how much she realized it was candy she was getting, but just the fact of getting something was fun for her.  We as parents enjoyed getting to meet some of our neighbors and eating the candy ;).  One of our neighbors had some benches by a fire in their back yard for trick or treaters to come and relax.  That was our favorite, just a chance to meet neighbors, sip apple cider and enjoy a warm fire.  

Our monkey and little chicky

The little monkey showing off her tail.

I (Jeanette) had a blast carving these pumpkins, Maia was not too into the carving part, but loved the pumpkin faces.  She often looks out our window to make sure they are still around.

Thats a happy little chicky!

Pumpkin Patch

I Love Fall and all that is in it.  The air just seems clear and fresh with its crispness.  The the leaves so vibrant in their orange, red and yellows as they contrast against the clear blue sky.  And of course there is the pumpkin patches, this has become one of our family traditions.  We've gone twice now to the one on Sauvie Island and found the trick is to go on the week day.  So nice and low key!  So thats what we did.  And we had fun! We  picked out a pumpkin, rode on a hayride and petted some animals.  Oh yeah, and Maia climbed on a hay pyramid.  I think that was the highlight for sure.  Here a just a few of pictures to show you how much fun we had!!!

A Long, Unedited Video for Grandma Jo

This video is 14 minutes long, and gets repetitive so could be stopped at the halfway mark.  I split it in two so you actually have to click on the second one to view the whole long thing.  I share it because Maia is pretty chatty throughout, and it gives a great picture of where she is at developmentally, or at least speech-wise.  I can only recommend watching the whole thing to Grandma Jo, and perhaps to any cousins under the age of seven.  Anyone else might find it a bit of a bore (although it is still worth watching the first minute of the video).  If you fit those qualifications, enjoy!

I love that Maia refers to her nummie blanket as a person.  She wants it to sit, she often wants to feed it, change its diaper, or put clothes on it.  Often when she goes somewhere there are three people going:  Maia, Bear, and Nummie. 

Maia Learning to Ride a Bike

Thanks Holly for reminding me that Mom wants videos.  These two were from a few weeks ago, so Maia's a little better now, but they were her very first attempts at riding a bike once I figured out I could lower the seat so her feet actually touched the pedals.  I love how much she is just clearly enjoying herself. 

"Go to Work"

Tonight Maia carefully stuffed her num-num in her Dora the explorer backpack, then had me help her put it on.  Then she picked up bear and walked to the front door and announced, "Bye-bye, see ya!  Go to work!"  Apparently she's been doing this a lot lately, and Jeanette says that while she is pretending, she is not pretending about going.  She'll then tell Jeanette, "Outside!"  And want her to open the door.  Tonight I wondered how far she would get, so I opened the door for her and away we went.

It was very cute walking with a determined little girl, sometimes running, sometimes shuffling along barely moving, sometimes stopped as she took in all the people sitting outside at the restaurants, and sometimes spinning in a circle like a dog chasing its tail as she tried to see "num-num" behind her in her backpack.  For the first five blocks she actually followed my route to work (at each intersection I would ask her "which way?" and she would point emphatically, saying, "That way!")  As we passed a bar playing music she began to dance, and for awhile after that she was singing.  We had to stop at the coca-cola factory because they have a bright red railing out front, and she wanted to be a monkey.  I was a little worried cuz her backpack was big and heavy, and her hands are so tiny, but she hung on and swung really well.  Everyone we passed thought she was hilarious.  Such a determined little girl.  She kept giving her bear a kiss and telling it, "See ya Bear, have fun!"

After 15 blocks, when it was basically dark, she finally stopped and asked me to pick her up.  She had carried her bear the whole way, and worn her backpack.  I'm still not sure where she works, but she sure enjoyed going there.

We Have a Two Year Old in the House

On August 29th we celebrated out little girls second birthday! 

 We celebrated Maia as a family on the 29th, and then on the 30th we celebrated her with family and friends.  It was a fun party and I think Maia felt extra special! For her cake I made some colorful cupcakes. When you take a bite into these you will encouter swirls of many colors.  It was supposed to be stripes, but then they started to resemble tye dye of a sort.  I feel as though they fit Maia's colorful and excitable personality.  

 Paxton was pretty excited about the party too!!  He loves his big sister and often has a big smile on his face when she is around.

(Hmm... she must not have been around in this picture.) 

Daddy was in charge of the grill or BBQ 
(for those who prefer to call it that).

Gathering in the backyard with Uncle Jeff and Aunt Farrah along with sweet Carson.  And don't forget our friend Leah there in the background.

 Maia's friend Grayson.

 Jordan, Maia's cousin, and her two good friends Eben and Naomi.

 Getting excited about downing that cupcake!

 Jedd and Michelle holding Paxton.

 Jamie and Dave and their little guy Benjamin

 All the kids were so excited to help Maia open her gifts.  I began to wonder if it was more exciting for everyone else than it was for Maia. She sure enjoyed the help and has been having a blast with all her new toys. 

What a blessing it has been to spend these two years with our little Maia.  Its been so fun watching her change and grow and become the person she is today.  She never ceases to make me smile; she's so constantly full of excitement for the things she loves.  And she's one determined little girl; when her mind is set she pursues that thing continually to its end.  We love out little girl and are so glad she's in our family! 

Grandma Jo Came to Town!

Little Guy's Trick

This was first wittnessed when Paxton was 3 weeks old.  I had him on his stomach on the couch and he rolled, and another time on the bed.  So I thought lets make it official.  So I had him the floor and sure enough he rolled.  So I don't know if it counts or not, but in my book my boy is rolling over.  Yea Paxton!