Happy Halloween!

This turned out to be a big update!  We've had a lot going on over this past month.  I think there are 12 new posts, so make sure you go back far enough to catch all of them.  We had a fun Halloween this year.  Alyssa dressed up as a princess, Joshua decided to go as himself, and Emily was a cat.  We had lots of trick-or-treaters and the kids did a great job handing out the candy!

What a beautiful princess!


Good thing it was a warm night!


Looking good, Alyssa!


Waiting patiently for trick-or-treaters...


What good helpers!


Smile!


Here's Emily in her kitty costume... she slept through the whole thing!


Halloween hugs!


Playing in the grass...


Family Halloween photos, take 1


Take 2... Happy Halloween!

It's that Time of Year Once Again... Pumpkin Carving!!

Joshua and Alyssa helped decorate our two pumpkins this year.  As you can see, they do good work!!

Woo-hoo!  Pumpkin carving time!


Alyssa was a great helper with the Elmo pumpkin!


So far, so good, guys!


Now we need to put his arms in...


Let's look at the instructions one last time...


What a helper... and she's wearing Daddy's favorite shirt!


Hugs from Joshua!


Mom did a great job cleaning out those pumpkins!


Alyssa and Joshua chose a ghost pumpkin for the other one...


And like a couple of ghosts, they vanished!


There's Joshua golfing...


And Alyssa had better things to do... as you can see here, she's sitting in a box...


Looks great, everyone!


Vampire Elmo...


Spooky!

Happy Birthday, Alyssa!

It's hard to believe, but Alyssa is now two years old!  We had a little celebration at home.  Most importantly, we continued the tradition of Nana's spaghetti for the second birthday followed by some delicious birthday cake and ice cream!

Love Nana's spaghetti!


Time for some birthday cake!


Birthday girl!


Two years old... who can believe it!!


Visions of chocolate cake and ice cream danced in her head...


One candle down, one to go!


She did it!


Ugh... stubborn candle!


You won't get away again, candle!


A little help is always nice, too...


Mmmmm...


Joshua was in rare form with his faces...


Who needs a fork?!


Looks like she missed a spot...


Got it!


Silly Joshua!!

Birthday Breakfast for Alyssa!

Happy Birthday, Alyssa!  As a special treat, Mom made cinnamon toast for breakfast!  Too bad birthdays can't happen every day of the year!

Mmmmm...


I love me my cinnamon toast!


Alyssa, how old are you going to be?


Two!!


Very good, birthday girl!


Joshua, how old are you going to be?

Happy Pre-Birthday, Alyssa!

Our friends Brett, Erika, Brody, and Kenna stopped by to meet Emily and to celebrate Alyssa's 2nd birthday.  They were kind enough to bring a delicious dinner with them.  As usual, Alyssa and Joshua had a great time reeking havoc around the house with Brody and Kenna!

Birthday brownies for Alyssa!


Alyssa telling Miss Erika she is going to be two years old!


Blow out those candles!

Going for a Walk...

During my paternity leave we've gotten into the habit of taking an evening walk around the neighborhood.  I drag Joshua and Alyssa in the wagon while Heather pushes Emily in the stroller.  Everyone seems to like it and it gives us a chance to check out our neighbors!

Thing 1 and Thing 2 playing the blues on their harmonicas...


Mom and Emily's newborn stroller...


Snug as a bug in a rug!


Everyone likes a good walk!