Picture Dump

Just haven't been in the blogging mood lately. I have written several posts in my head, but they never make it onto the computer. I've been doing lots of housecleaning, mostly de-junking. So, in an effort to keep that up, I'm unloading all (or hopefully most) of the pictures sitting in my "To Blog" folder. Yay me. Semester is almost over! Hurrah!!! Christmas decorations are up and boy do I love sitting in the dark and enjoying the glow. sigh.

On 10-10-10 My dad turned 55. It was a pretty cool date, and he's a pretty cool guy, so we had a big family dinner after church. It was very nice. Even the grandparents made it down! (Don't mind my cloudy pictures. I finally figured out there was a big old fingerprint on my camera lens, and after I cleaned it off, WOW what a difference!)

On October 12, this little man busted out with his first tooth!

And isn't he so stinkin' cute fresh out of the bath?

Isn't he cute???

We joined Charles Kindergarten class at the Pumpkin Walk, and this is the only picture I got!

10/22 Caleb's first baby cereal. He didn't think much of it.

Halloween seemed to last the whole month long. Thank goodness it finally ended! And on a splendid note! We carved pumpkins this year!

Kaylee's and Caleb's. He had a tooth, and hers had eyelashes. So cute!

We were able to walk to school until Thanksgiving break almost! Caleb would always fall asleep in a pool of drool!

For Red Ribbon Week they did crazy hair day. Kaylee's was pretty crazy! Everyone loved it and I was pleased how well it stayed in. (This is after a full day of school!) She reminds me of Cindy Lou Who!

On Thursday they did a trick or treat at Louis' work and that is my favorite thing to do with the kids on Halloween. I was surprised it was so early this year. Oh well. Kaylee wore my costume from when I was eight. Toothfairy. And Charles was Darth Vader, again!

Caleb was Super Slobber---another costume from my childhood.

Friday before Halloween Jake and Tressa came up for her dr. appt. I got to play with Squirm most of the day! It was beautiful weather, so of course we colored chalk pictures. And we went on a bus ride. I am such a cool aunt like that.

We got a surprise early Saturday morning when Tressa called to let me know that I was an aunt. Again. I was so confused since I wasn't fully awake! She had "Baby Boo" on October 30th at 4:32 am. In keeping with the tradition of birthing her children the day before a major holiday. Thus the family Halloween party was moved to my house and it was a blast! I finally got to go up and see Baby Boo late that evening and Louis and I got to take Squirm with us. Judging by the pictures can you tell that he still has a major hold on me? (These are the only pictures I took! Sorry Baby Boo!) I did hold the baby for a while and have only been able to hold him once or twice since then. Kinda different when I have my own baby. Squirm is such a cute brother! I love it!!!

On Halloween I let the kids plan a menu from my Halloween party food magazine. This is the dessert they chose. Monster Toes. They were so good and the best part was having Kaylee help me. I have never been one to be super patient and enjoy letting the kids help me cook, but this time it was very enjoyable. Charles helped make his favorite fluffy jello salad. We also had mummy hot dogs and homemade root beer. We were able to torture Donna and Steve with our kid-friendly meal as well! ;)

I have been trying for months to catch this face on camera! It's what I call his 'bird face' and thank goodness I finally captured it, because he hasn't done it as much lately. Isn't that so funny?

For Thanksgiving we were invited to Donna and Steve's. It was delicious! I enjoyed my break from cooking very much. I did feel like a louse of a daughter and sister, though. My mom was recovering from shoulder surgery and my sister just had her baby and I took the year off from cooking.

Caleb looking handsome in his guitar outfit compliments of Donna and Steve.

Oops, I didn't think to take a picture until after everyone was done eating (except Donna's mom, hee hee) It was so yummy!!! I was able to try out some new dessert recipes. They were ok. I liked the eggnog pumpkin pie the best and then the pecan pumpkin pie. The snappy pumpkin cheesecake was soggy. I loved my whipped cream! I added almond extract this year. Oh, my! I love almond!! I got my Christmas shopping mostly finished on Friday--late afternoon with Donna. Much better than the disappointing midnight trip to Walmart. I hate Walmart.

In other news.... I just took my final for International Economics, so that class is done! I have one week of classes and then one final for Intermediate Accounting. Hurray! I have really enjoyed that class and I enjoyed talking to my professor about what path to take in my education and career goals. I am excited, but it is too soon to post anything yet.

We have had lots of snow, but now it is melting. Crazy weather. I am very much looking forward to Christmas break, and hoping to get super excited for next semester. Caleb now has three teeth, all on the bottom and still doesn't like baby food. He is also a mamma's boy. We took the kids to the Nutcracker the Saturday after Thanksgiving. THAT WAS FUN!!! I love ballet and so does Kaylee. Louis and Charles enjoyed themselves too!

Whew! And that is the last two months in a nutshell!