Matthew's motorcycle

Matthew likes motorcycles. So much that he's turned a bus into one. He even has a helmet. Safety first!

Prepared for anything

Daniel has recently been interested in different "ranger" type play. He's always discovering something, rescuing something, hunting something, or doing some general exploring. This is his usual get-up for this kind of play. He likes to be prepared.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Aaron's birthday was Friday--what a year it has been! Aaron is currently sporting the "ultimate fighting champion" look...he falls at least 20 times a day and his face is pretty banged up. He climbs on EVERYTHING, and is so fast that we can barely keep up with him. He is really working hard on his babbling, and can say "mama," "dada," and a few phrases that sound like "all done," "bye-bye," and "nigh-night."  He has seven teeth, four on top and three on the bottom. He enjoys feeding himself, but is still learning to not throw food over the side of his tray. He adores his big brothers (the feeling is mutual) and we can't wait to see him start to play more with them as he gets bigger!

Aaron celebrated his birthday all week with a visit from Grandma before his birthday, cupcakes on his birthday, and a small family party today:

 Aaron's first birthday present. Matthew supervises.

 Thanks for all the clothes, Grandma!

 Bath time! Everybody loves a clean birthday boy!

 Today I am one year old!

 Aaron loves to clap, and will show off his clapping skills anytime he hears somebody say "Yay!" or "Good job!"

 Birthday bruise on his left cheek. He danced himself right off a chair. :(

 Oooh...cupcake!

 For a minute it looked like he might actually blow out the candle.

 Birthday party day!

 Awesome new football!

 Cake time! Thanks, godparents!

 Our baby is growing up!

Problem solving with Daniel

Matthew decided he wanted to try using the potty seat today. The only problem was that he wanted privacy. Knowing Matthew, I hesitated leaving him in there by himself, but decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and give him his privacy. After a couple (quiet) minutes, I went in to check on him. Nothing. And he still wanted privacy. So I left again and mentioned to Daniel that I wish I could see what Matthew was doing in there. Daniel's response?

"I know just what we need...a hatchet and a periscope!"

Hmmm.

Just another Saturday morning

Fall Fun Recap

We visited Schilter Family Farm a couple weekends ago with our good friends the Eusterman and Simmons families. Despite the rain and the rotting pumpkins, we had a pretty good time! As much fun as it was, though, I think we'll try to go earlier in the season next year.

 The mamas with the three littlest ones.

 Petting a chicken.

 Keeping a safe distance from the piggie.

 Aaron just hanging out.

 This is what happens when we ask Matthew and Daniel to smile for the camera...

All the kiddos (minus the babies) take a minute to please the parents with a cute picture.

 Daniel makes his way through the hay maze.

 Hay jump!

 Matthew gets a little help from Dad.

 Finally! On to the pumpkins! Daniel certainly has grown...he pushed the wheelbarrow quite a ways by himself.

 Matthew checks out the pumpkins. 

[The pumpkin pictures stop here because after this picture was taken Daniel's boot became stuck in mud, and we had quite a muddy mess to clean up. If you know Daniel, you know this was just about the worst thing that could happen on this trip.]

 Back at the Eusterman house the kiddos try on their Halloween costumes. The fireman and astronaut are joined by Susan and Lucy from the Chronicles of Narnia.

Aaron gets a few military tips from his godfather.

Climber

 This little guy was climbing before he was walking. His climbing is becoming more adventurous though. He moves little chairs around to use to climb up on taller furniture, and has been known to try out the ladder up to the top bunk. There is no rest for the weary parents of this guy...

Halloween Fun

We had a LOT of fun on Halloween. Maybe too much fun. We're still feeling the effects of the candy and excitement so the pictures are just coming now....

 Halloween Eve pumpkin carving. Why can we never get a picture with everyone looking at the camera?

 Pumpkin guts!

 Mommy at work.

 The pumpkin pumpkin. The boys made a scary face. We failed to get pictures of the finished products. :(

 Yummy pumpkin seeds the next day.

 Skeleton in the closet.

 Oh, it's just Aaron.

 The boys in their black and orange garb.

 The bags are ready...it must be time for trick-or-treating!

 Our tradition of daylight trick-or-treating at Grandma Eva's house continues. This year an astronaut, fireman and soldier showed up at her door.

Grandma doles out the goods.

 Super happy at how Aaron's costume turned out. (Thanks, Judy, for the fabric!)

 Uh oh...unattended candy.

 Matthew checks out his loot.

All ready for nighttime trick-or-treating, then off to a fun party across the street! Happy Halloween!

Goofballs

Daniel and Aaron enjoy playing together while Matthew finishes up his afternoon nap.

 Aaron already enjoys wrestling.

Silly.

Cardboard Rocket

We like to make things out of cardboard here. And since we get diapers delivered, there is never a shortage of big boxes to use. This week: cardboard rocket ship.

 After a few days perfecting our design, the finished rocket is ready for the finishing touches: control panels and viewing portals.

 Daniel checks out the fuel levels.

 Matthew makes one last adjustment.

Ready to go!

 Space is fun!

Away they go...