Happy Halloween

Way back in August, I bought Jill the most adorable kangaroo Halloween costume. Being that it was about 200 degrees outside, we didn't put it on her at all until a nice day in late September for some pictures. I have to confess that my plan the entire time was just to get some photos and then return the costume because we had no intention of taking her trick-or-treating. I know that's terrible, but it's what I did! She HATED the costume. I don't even know how to describe how much she disliked it, but here are some photos anyway. To be fair, it was at the tail end of her Roseola sickness, but still...

Today she sported her $2.50 Trick Or Treat shirt from Babies R Us and we played at home. Then we took her to Police Academy to ride her fire engine. She insisted upon wearing her "ha" (helmet) THE ENTIRE TIME. Also, you can see her Mickey Mouse pumpkin that Steve spent an entire evening carving for her. When she saw it she said, "Mow!" (mouse).

I LOVE her face in this one!

picking up rocks and sticks

throwing the ball for Henny, aka taking the Chuck-It and running away

Let me TOUCH it!

Mickey

Lastly, this squirrel LOVES our bird feeder. He (she?) is quite adventurous. Enjoy him (her?) as well.

Sixteen Months!

I didn't even realize it was the 28th today until I checked the calendar...Happy Birthday Bean! Today we went to the zoo with Aunt Elisha and Isabelle. It was little cold, but the girls had fun anyway. Yesterday we went to the park to swing. Check it out!

checking out the elephants

all bundled up

cousins

talking to the walrus

it's not too cold for ice cream!

For Grandpa Mike

Grandpa asked where the new blog post was, so here you go!

playing guitar with Daddy

on a walk with Mama

doing art (Jill's not left handed, but the more important snack was in her right hand)

pretty new dress

playing with our pumpkins

lounging on Mama and Daddy's bed

chasing Mama on the fire engine

more chasing

Beautiful Bean

Here is our lovely girl over the past week:

wearing Pop's hat

with Pop in the front yard

yelling under the Des Moines Creek bridge, for echoes

"No, Mama, I am NOT going up the stairs by myself!"

cute little face

coloring with Mama

playing with her pumpkin

first (and last for awhile) pigtails--they gave her a really red head!

Jill's first masterpiece

joyful on the swings

having fun

being a chicken

"I LOVE this place!"

"the face"--I love it!

there's a plum on my finger!

Mmmm!

look at that belly!

telling me a story

Swim Lessons

Jill really likes her swim lessons, as far as we can tell, though the pool was a little cold this week and she and the other boy in her class shivered the whole time. We have six more weeks to go, and Steve and I have really enjoyed them too. We're taking turns going in the pool with her, and this week it was my turn. Here are the highlights:

just got in!

"monkey walking" on the wall

she could NOT care less about the boat, she wanted the BALL, but there wasn't one today

kicking...notice the long forgotten boat behind us

I know I look stupid, but Jill doesn't--this is the face

she makes the entire time she's on her back in the water

getting the plastic rings under the water

"jumping" off the side...she did get brave enough to step off into my arms by the end!

back floating=not Jill's fave, but at least she doesn't cry like the other kid in her class (who is A LOT older than she is, ha!)

Hi Dada!

this might have been her favorite part; she had a HUGE smile