Painting Pumpkins:-)

As if pumpkins weren't exciting enough, Grandma Julie came over with pumpkins and paint for the kids. They had a blast painting pumpkins and spending time with Grandma:-)

Kami's, Ethan's,Ethan's, Grandma's,Adriauna's, Kami's and Brooke's

Adriauna and Kami

Grandma and Ethan

Brooke

Halloween Preschool style

Today at Preschool Ethan and Kamryn got to dress up in their Halloween costumes so Ethan chose a G.I. Joe ninja (snake eyes) and Kami chose to be Super Girl. They are going to be Batman and Robin on Halloween but they wanted to dress up as something different at Preschool. Kids are so lucky these days with all the chances to dress up and get candy for Halloween.

Kami and Brandon

It is moments like these that I say "My hands are full, but so is my heart" I love my children so much and they are the biggest blessing in my life! I could not be more blessed and although sometimes life gets really busy and hectic with a house full of kids, our lives are full of love and nothing get's my heart soaring more than when my kids are happy and loving on each other!

Kamryn and Brandon

Ethan and Brandon!

There are so many moments where I look at Brandon and see Ethan! I love my sweet little boys and am overjoyed with how blessed we are to have Brandon in our lives to complete our family:-)

This is Ethan when he was just a few weeks older than Brandon is now and in the picture of Brandon below.

Here is Brandon and I think there is a lot of resemblance to how Ethan looked at this age!

Brandon is 2 months old:-)

Brandon is 2 months old. It is amazing how much faster time goes by once they are born. Brandon had his 2 month check up at the Dr. today. Since Mike is in Chicago for work, Mike's dad visiting Eric (Mike's brother) in Utah and my Mom is in Alabama visiting family, I was out of babysitting options. So, I took all the kids with me except for Adriauna who was at school. You never really get used to your tiny little baby getting shots at the Dr. office for the first time no matter how many kids you have. It is so sad:-( Everyone was really good up until that point. Brooke started crying when Brandon got his shot. I am sure she felt bad but she wanted me to comfort her and I really needed to comfort him. So, he had to share the comforting with his older sister.

Anyway, Brandon is doing really well and gaining the right amount of weight and all that. He is in the 50 percentile on weight and length. He is smiling and babbling a lot now and it is so much fun. He sleeps between 4-6 hours at a time at night and I am getting good sleep. The kids, especially Brooke absolutely adore him. I am so amazed how much he looks like Ethan did when he was a baby. I look at pictures and some of them I would not be able to tell apart if I did not have dates on the back of the picture. I am really looking forward to the weeks ahead watching Brandon change and grow but I am also just enjoying being able to cuddle him in my arms while he is not as mobile as he will become in the next few months.

This sailor outfit was Ethan's. It is so fun to see these clothes on Brandon after Ethan wore them!

Don't you just want to pick him up and hug this little guy!! I know I do!!

This was also Ethan's outfit.

Afton Apple Orchard

Our family headed up to Afton Apple Orchard with Karen's family and the Granparents on Mikes side.

Kami, cousin Derek and Ethan on the hay ride!

Adriauna with Uncle Tony rolling Nick and Zac in the tube

Adriauna with cousin Zac. They found a caterpillar:-)

Brooke enjoying the slide

I reluctantly fed the goats thinking Brooke would join in and get the experience. It seems she is a lot like me and finds that animals licking hands is quite disgusting. Oh the sacrifices I a make for my children.

Grandma Julie holding Brandon

Pretty Girls

Grandma Julie made this adorable dress for Kami! She has such amazing talent. I am hoping by being on the receiving end of all this talent, some of it might rub off on me. Although, I do say that I probably have many talents but they are all hidden talents...ba da bum (that was a drum roll for myself) lol

My birthday!!

I was pleasantly surprised to have Mike come home from work on my birthday with flowers, birthday cake and present in hand! Actually, I was not all that surprised since Mike is always really great about doing special things for me on my birthday and it is more than just pleasant, I was really happy! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband.

He said he got his least favorite cake because he knows it is my favorite :-)

That is right...chocolate doves from the kids and a gift card to my favorite place to shop for clothes. I do share the doves by the way!

Minnehaha Falls 2011

Even though I have lived in Minnesota all my life, I have never been to Minnehaha Falls until last month when we took our family. I wonder what else I have been missing out on.....

Anyhow, Now that I have been there, I can say that it is really beautiful and we had a really nice afternoon there with a picnic and walking some trails as well.

Preschool

Ethan and Kami started Preschool in September on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Although apprehensive the first day, it did not take long for them to realize that Preschool is fun. Brooke goes to sibling care on Tuesdays while I hang out with Ethan and Kami at preschool for an hour and then go to a parenting class. Brooke calls her sibling care preschool as well. She loves the idea that she get's to do the same things Ethan and Kami do.