Boo is Back!

Boo Fest was a success! What a great time we had... especially watching all the kids enjoy themselves! We watched Charlie Brown's Pumpkin movie, ate yummy chili, and carved pumpkins. This is always such a great time... we already can't wait for next year!

My creative husband's handiwork:

Our first guest!


Pumpkin carving fun!

Just 3 of the many pregnant guests!

So cute... enjoying the Charlie Brown movie

Gloomy Pumpkins

In an effort to keep up with tradition (2 whole years running!), Heidi and I were determined to take the kids to the pumpkin patch for a photo shoot. But the fires and the icky heat made for a pretty gross day - and some pretty funny wilted pumpkins! We only stayed a bit because the kids were getting really hot, but we made the most of it! Here are the best pictures we could get!




Our little walker!


Is this heat bothering you, my love?


We'll be okay, dear.

What really matters...

It's been said before, but it sure is easy to get caught up in the trivial stuff. The past two weeks have brought some not-so-fun challenges our way - like Kevan's car needing a new engine, Ezekiel's first fever, and our dryer deciding not to work anymore. I am constantly being challenged with the question: What are truly "needs" and what are simply luxuries that we have become used to expecting? And, whenever I find myself stressing about those luxuries, I am reminded of the things that are most important in life: people, shelter, food, fellowship... and I realize how rich we truly are. God has always provided for us, and He always will- and sometimes these little hurdles are opportunities to thank Him for His provisions. We have much to be thankful for! Just a few for tonight:

• Today Kevan took Ezekiel out for a few hours while I worked on making the "girl" wall in his room. I painted and pulled out all the sweet little decorations I've been collecting. It will soon be ready to bring sister home to!
• Our little girl is kicking and rolling like crazy - such an awesome reminder to me that she is growing stronger every day.
• So many opportunities lately to be thankful for the partnership I share with my husband. He is the best teammate when it comes to parenting and life. I love that we are in this together and that we work so well as a team.
• Every week I am so thankful for my mom and her willingness (and joy!) to watch Ezekiel while I work from her house. It is such an ideal situation and she makes working so much easier because I know my son is in the best of hands.
• All of us in good health again!

And here are some fun pictures from our family day at the pumpkin patch:

How could we ask for anything more?!

Capturing the cuteness

I am too tired to post much tonight, but I just had to share some of the cute things Ezekiel is doing lately. Kevan and I say to each other at least 5 times a day "don't we have the best little boy?" or "isn't our son so amazing?" We are so in awe of this precious gift God has given us.

-Tonight as I rocked Ezekiel before bed he started humming before I could start singing to him. It was so cute to hear him try to hum a little tune.
-He has started saying "tickle tickle"... which is just about the cutest thing ever. He says it when we are about to tickle him, and and when he tickles whatever he can get his hands on. "Tickle tickle" blankie. "Tickle tickle" remote control. If you're lucky, he just might "tickle tickle" you. Adorable.
-So, back to our rocking/humming session tonight. While he was humming, he would stop every few seconds and say "tickle tickle" and then get back to the song!
-We watched Kate on Saturday night and Ezekiel would just randomly hug her as they played. He really loves his little friend. Kate would kiss him back and they both would end up knocking each other over. So funny to watch them together!

Of course there's more but that's all for tonight! Sweet dreams.

Walking!

Ezekiel is officially a walker! After much waiting and anticipation, our son finally decided that today was the day. He simply stood up in the middle of the living room and started walking. Just like that! No coaxing, no teaching, no bribes. Just on his own volition. Go figure. And then he fell down and got right back up again and kept on walking. He's been doing it all afternoon and we can hardly believe it! These "firsts" are so much fun - every milestone is more amazing than I could have ever imagined. Kevan and I are like a couple of goons over here taking video and cheering him on. We are so proud!!

I'll try to get some video on my digital camera so I can post it!

PS: By the end of the afternoon, every time he fell after a little walking stint he'd sit there and clap for himself with a big goofy grin before getting up again. So cute.

Beautiful Baby Girl

Through the amazing technology of 4D ultrasound, today we got to meet our baby girl! How fun to see her sweet little chubby cheeks and watch her move around in my belly. I know these pictures can look a little alien-ish, but we think she is beautiful! We also think she looks a bit like her big brother...


Here you see her face, hand, and cord under her chin


All curled up...hands and feet are all up around her face



Her little profile




And, just for fun, here is a picture of big brother while he was waiting to be born. What do you think? See any similariteis?

Uh-Oh

Yeah, that's what I said when I saw my son eat ravioli for the first time. I have to confess, I never thought pictures of kids with food all over their face were very cute. Even now that it's my own son, I still don't think it's very cute. But it's dang funny. Just the whites of his eyes are showing under all that tomato sauce! Gross.