Missy who?

We figured since we're now outnumbered we'd better get these girls swimming on their own at the pool.  We convinced them swim lessons would be fun to do together (now that Chandler is 3 and doesn't need to do parent & tot).  We did sneak her in early, so she was by far the youngest, and it showed.  She sat on the side of the pool whining, "Mommy" for the beginning of class and refused to jump off the diving board.  Considering her age though, she did very well.  Brooklynn was a rock star and actually finally moved up to the next class.  They had a great teacher, and it was so convenient to have them in the same class (although that won't last long).  We're going to take a swimming break, because both girls really want to go to dance classes.

 

Yes, they had to throw her off the diving board

Doing it like a pro!

Go Team Ronnie

On Chandler's actual birthday we decided to join Steve's parents in the Denver Pancreatic Cancer Walk.  Steve and I have enjoyed racing lately, and a great cause makes it even better.  We were lucky the weather was absolutely beautiful, so the girls were able to tag along as well.  We ran in honor of Steve's uncle, Ron, and it was amazing to see how they honored all the people who've lost their battle with pancreatic cancer.  Next year we'll work on expanding Team Ronnie!

 

The girls did great as grandma and grandpa pushed them around the lake.  Adaley got a ride in the jogging stroller with Steve and I.  It ended up being more of a walk than a run, but that was ok with us,  because it may be the only race we ever finish in the top 10.

 

 

Steve stretching

Mommy getting reading too

The girls wanted to run across the finish line with daddy

Everyone finished!

It's been a year since we lost Ron, but doing this run helps keep his legacy alive!

Half a Year!

The other day as I was trying to figure out the date (which I never seem to know anymore), I realized our bug is already 6 months.  Wow!  I figured I'd better get some pics.  We went in for her doctor's appointment with Chandler, since she needed her 3 year check-up.  Addy did great and only cried a little for the shots.  I was a little worried her scream would traumatize Chandler, but since Chandler doesn't need any shots for awhile, she was ok. 

 

Adaley did great on her ASQ questionnaire, so we have high hopes for her!  Everyone in the office just loved her happy personality. 

 

Stats:

Height - 27.25" (91st percentile)

Weight - 14.6 lb. (19th percentile)

 

The doctor was a little concerned about her weight.  Her percentiles have been dropping with each visit, but thankfully her height hasn't.  So we had to supplement some formula with the nursing hoping to fatten her up a little.  Maybe we have a future model on our hands!  (Not referencing the starving herself but rather her stats).

 

She's actually been eating solids really well.  We just keep adding to the repertoire of foods.  We're up to bananas, avocadoes, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, pears, and apples.  She's keeping me busy cooking up the concoctions!

 



So smiley!

Big C's Birthday

 Birthdays are kinda a big deal around here.  The girls put in their cake order months before, talk about what we'll do, and constantly ask, "Who's birthday is next?" (hoping we'll say their name).  Chandler's 3rd birthday was no exception.  Since hers is right after Halloween we decided to celebrate with friends beforehand, since there's so many fun fall activities and the weather is nicer!  We did a combo party with Gabby (who was born just 2 weeks before Chandler), so she was excited willing to share "her" day.

We went to Rock Creek Farms where they have a huge pumpkin patch, jumpy castles, petting zoo, and a corn maze for the kids.  It's a great place for little ones and isn't pricey like most of them have gotten.  We made spiders and pumpkins, ran around, ate lunch and cake, and enjoyed seeing all our friends (and there's lots of them these days).  The kids were so cute and proud in their costumes - so we'll have to stick to an early party.  Of course it'll be easier next year to explain to Chandler why her parties are spaced so far apart.

Brooklynn and her princesses (Jada and Hazel)

 

Chase, girls, and Makenzie making spiders

 Birthday blondies (love Gabby's expression here)

 Uh oh Sawyer!

 Caught again with too many sprinkles

 Getting so big.....

 Cousins (we were so lucky Kenz could join us for the day)

 Proof pic (proof Adaley really was there - we have lots of these)

Then we celebrated her actual birthday a couple weeks later with family.  She didn't seem to mind spreading out the fun and presents, of course!

Birthday Breakfast Beignets

 Opening presents

 Why do I always have to figure out how to open them?  Ugghhh

 Adaley enjoying all the paper!

 Now they've recruited Uncle Forney's help

 Chandler and her Olivia cake (I had to convince her to give up on the castle cake.  I made one for Brooklynn last year, and it was a disaster.  Good thing she is agreeable).

Love her expression here!

Chandler also visited the doctor this week for her check-up.  She did a great job and made the doc's job easy, since she knew she wasn't getting any shots.  She was 34 lbs (79th percentile) and was 40 in tall (95th percentile).  I guess we didn't realize how tall she was, because all her friends her age are tall as well. 

 

Chandler, you are an amazing kid.  You're always keeping us on our toes, but you are one of the most loving kids ever.  We just love to watch you grow and learn.  Don't ever get too big to cuddle, because you're a pro at it!

 

Honoring my Gramps

Each Veterans' Day when I reflect about the brave men and women of our country that have served the person that comes to mind is my grandpa.  He was a career sailor for the Navy and took great pride in that.  This year he died shortly before the holiday, but forever his dedication will be honored. 

 

My grandpa died unexpectedly from esophageal cancer a couple weeks ago.  Now that I've gone through the range of emotions, it is time to honor his long life and keep the memories we have.

 

As I was growing up it seemed like my grandma and grandpa were visiting us from Florida every summer.  They sat through the long softball tournaments, took many trips to Pikes Peak with us, and taught us their love for card games.  I always looked forward to grandpa playing the "penny drop game" with us.  He gave me my first job - waitressing for them at dinner and earning a nickel.

 

When I started teaching in Cherry Creek we had a fall break - a week off in late October, which afforded us the opportunity to visit Florida at a great time of year.  We took advantage of this a few times and always made sure to squeeze in a visit to visit him and even got to introduce the kiddos to him.  He never missed anyone's birthday, making sure each of us always felt special. 

 

It's been a tough year losing both my grandpas, who both meant so much to me.  I feel extremely grateful I was able to be so close to them both and have them in my life for so long.  They've both left footprints in my heart and won't be forgotten.

 

 The family on wedding day

(Uncle Don, Aunt Roxy, Grandpa, Grandma Fran, and dad)

Visiting Florida in 2006

Loving on Brooklynn

Chandler actually sat still long enough for a picture

All of us in 2010 for their last visit to Colorado

Halloween Festivities

Last year we were so exhausted with all the Halloween celebrations and pumpkin patches (although we love to do it all)!  This year seemed rather calm until the end - when we tried to squeeze in all the fall traditions.  Halloween has become one of our favorite holidays because the girls' excitement.  So here's our busy October in pictures.

 

Our neighbors have an annual "adults only" Halloween costume party that is a blast!  The theme this year was superheroes and villains.  Good times!

 

We attempted to make it out to a pumpkin patch before the snow, but that didn't happen.  So we were left to find a small farm with pumpkins that were picked already.  We found a really cute little farm real close to our house.  We're excited to check them out in the summer for some fresh produce!  The girls didn't seem to mind the limited selection and muddy field. 

Chandler loved showing us her muscles carrying each of the pumpkins

Our baby!

 

We bought 2 pumpkins to carve and 2 to paint. The girls immersed their mini-pumpkins in paint.

And then the caramel apples........with sprinkles of course.  I think they just ate the caramel off the apples!

Sunday we met our usual group of friends for our Boo at the Zoo trip.  The group was a little smaller this year, but still fun nonetheless.  The kids loved playing together and trick-or-treating.

Weslings & Startzels

A new addition - Baby Gregory

Brooklynn and Gabby rummaging through the woods

Brooklynn was so excited to meet the Avs mascot.  Guess he has nothing better to do nowadays!

Monday evening we carved our pumpkins.  It started out promising with the girls helping us de-seed the giants.  After a few minutes they were off playing and Steve and I were there to carve ourselves.  Happens every year!  They're attention span is getting a little longer though....

Finished pumpkins

With their respective pumpkins

Since we get so much wear out of the costumes I like to make sure the girls have costumes they like but are also original.  This year when they asked to be princesses (again), I persuaded them to try soemthing different.  The only alternative that immediately came to mind was a Rams cheerleader.  They love whatever team daddy roots for, so they were ecstatic.  When I looked online, the costumes were over $50 each.  Ouch!  So I decided I'd pick up some fabric and a pattern and do it myself.  Growing up my mom made some sweet costumes for us, and I wanted to start the tradition.  I was in over my head, so luckily, mom helped made the costumes for the girls.  They turned out great and no one else had them!  I also have limited years of dressing them the same, so I'm going to take full advantage of that!

On Halloween Brooklynn had her school party.  This year the kids paraded through the school, and we were able to watch.  It was too cute to see all the costumes and the proud kiddos!

Getting ready to trick-or-treat

Maybe they'll all be matching next year!

We started our trick-or-treating adventures around 6 with our neighbor, J.D.  The kids were so excited and just wanted to start. 

Even Adaley was ready.  The weather was absolutely beautiful, so she was able to go out for awhile.

A little reluctant to go up to the scary house.....the ghost by the door goes up and down.  Pretty freaky!

I thought the girls would be out for hours.  They LOVED trick-or-treating, sprinting from house to house only stopping to catch their breath for a second.  When they finally came home Brooklynn was excited to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters.  She was hilarious telling them she loved their costumes, asking them what they'd like to eat, and telling them, "Happy Halloween."

Brooklynn and Magra

Chandler checking out her loot and guarding it closely

Whew!  What a day and weeks leading up to it.  Now we figure out what to do with all this candy.......