Trick-or-Treat!

There is a long standing tradition in my family of making your own Halloween costumes. When I was a kid, my mom and I spent hours on a Hi-C Boppin' Berry drink box costume that I wore (and many people borrowed year after year!), and I made my brother into an adorable little Kit-Kat bar when he was in preschool. I have bought Liam's costume the last two years, but I thought this year would be a good time to start the tradtion around here.

I asked him what he wanted to be while we were watching a movie and eating popcorn, so naturally, he wanted to be popcorn. Here's what we came up with...and his tiny movie-ticket sister too :)

This photo was taken at a Medical Partners Halloween party. We also went trick-or-treating, which Liam loved. Every time someone would give him candy, he jumped up and down and yelled "I did it! More!!". We drove to a friend's neighborhood where the houses were all particpating and close together- the best neighborhood in the area for trick-or-terating, if you want my opinion. We didn't make it very far around (only about an hour total), but his bucket was full and he wanted to get in the car so he could eat it!

We all had a great time, but here is a tip- do NOT make a box costume for a two year old. We had to take it off between every house so he would walk to the next one. We had to wait for him to get up the stairs and put it back on again before he rang the doorbells. He didn't mind putting it on over and over though, since there was candy involved!

The best part was that Josh was post-call on the party day and off early for trick-or-treating, so he got to particpate in both! Yeah!

London's 6 month photos

Here are London's 6 month photos. She's getting so big! Liam wasn't supposed to be photographed, but he really wanted in the pics, and I'm glad he got in, because this first one is my favorite pic of them together...you can just see how much she loves him!

Two new pics

Some new pics of the kids after church one day. They are both growing like crazy!

Wedding

I recently went home for just a short weekend trip with both kids for my cousin Amber's wedding. Congrats Amber and Axel! It was a great weekend! Here is a picture of Amber and my uncle walking down the Isle:
And one of my mom and Dad with the kids- Liam danced his heart out at the reception and had so much fun!

The day before the wedding I got to go to a Cardinal game with my dad and brother...I sure miss St. Louis sometimes!

Here's a random pic of London swinging in the swing at their house. She's such a happy baby!

Go Fly a Kite!

The weather has been beautiful this week, and Josh has had an unusual stretch of time off- well, sort of. He had a day off on Thursday and then worked 13 hours Friday followed by short Saturdays and Sundays ("short" meaning he only worked 7 hours each day), and then off again on Monday. Liam saw Special Agent Oso- his new favorite cartoon character- fly a kite on one episode, and I just happened to have one in the closet that I found for $.067 on clearance at Target. I had a lot to get done, so Josh took Liam to try out the kite. He had so much fun! Here is the picture I was sent: We've been to this park twice since that day, and both times Liam has mentioned flying kites.

Apple Orchard!

We have been to the apple orchard twice now. Once with medical partners, a group that I am in for all of the spouses of residents, and once with Josh on a day off. It's a great little orchard with a tractor that takes you out to the far away trees (through a creek, which Liam LOVED!), and REALLY good apple turnovers. You can also try the varieties that are ripe inside the barn, so that you know what you're getting before you pick. Here are some photos of our time with Medical Partners- we were too busy having fun with Daddy when Josh was with us!

London after her trip to the orchard

Liam sampling the wares and carrying the bucket. The apple he was eating was given to him- he's not eating before we paid for the ones we picked!

Liam and his friend Jack on the tractor. Jack is only about two weeks older than Liam.

What Happens when you play Duck Duck Goose with a bunch of 2 year olds

Liam started soccer this week. I use the term soccer loosely. It's kind of an excuse to kick a ball around with a bunch of other kids- exactly what I was expecting, but i thought it would be good to get him involved since he always talks about playing sports. Here is a picture of him kicking the ball, and a video of the end of practice- when the instructor decided to play duck duck goose :) He loves it and asked to go back today. You might want to turn the sound off for the video- it was a really windy day.

Hey Look! It's Josh!

Josh has had a few days off this month- he has the scheduled 4 per month that are standard, but his senior surprised him with the day off that we went to the zoo in St. Louis, and then he got out really early on Labor Day, and has been getting off before noon on weekend. We've been trying to take advantage of the weather as much as possible- it's been GEORGEOUS here! Here are a few photos of a hike around Coralville Lake. The kids had such a good time, and Liam walked the whole way by himself, with the exception of 1 hill at the very end that he just couldn't muster the energy to climb! We hiked over 3 miles total, so I thought he did great! Throwing Rocks in the water from the bridge- this has to be one of his favorite things to do- with or without a bridge.

Liam leading the way

London LOVES the backpack! WIsh I could have gotten her smile here too!

London Update!

A lot has been happening in the world of London. She can now roll over both ways, although back to front still takes a great deal of effort. She has not one but TWO teeth, and she is now eating solid foods- sort of. We just started those today, and I'm pretty sure that after three meals she has yet to swallow any. Watch the video and you be the judge.
First time in the high-chair, prior to any food. She looks like she really thinks she's going to enjoy this...

Looks like she was wrong. The next two meals didn't go any better. I guess practice makes perfect, right!

Trip Home

The following posts are all out of order, but the first few center around my trip home over labor day weekend with the kids. In addition to the specific things mentioned in the posts, we went to the fair with Liam and the SIU home opener football game- they new stadium is great! They had a HUGE fighter plane fly over the stadium, and Liam mentions it every day. He says "Airplane. Big Un." As for the fair, he rode rides, went down a giant slide, and got a giant inflatable hammer. All he remembers about the fair is that his Balloon flew away, and that Macy might get it. Macy is his friend in Michigan :)

Zoo!

I was supposed to meet Josh's family on Sunday morning for breakfast before heading back to Iowa, but Josh called and said that his senior had let him off for the day, because there was a really light patient load. This NEVER happens, so we took advantage of the day off and Josh met us all in St. Louis for lunch and a quick trip to the zoo. If you have never been to the St. Louis zoo, GO! I LOVE it. It was too crowded on Labor Day weekend to enjoy much, but Liam still loved the Eff-fa-fants and the Pippos. When he saw the hippo, he said "Yikes. It's Big". His favorite part was the train that went through tunnels. Here are some pics of the kids at the zoo (yeah, I didn't get any of the animals :) ) :

Liam liked his red snow cone!

Do you see this string of Drool? CONSTANT

London loves her Daddy.