Halloween 2008

Happy Halloween!

We went to a Halloween party at some friends of ours for Halloween night and then hit the streets in their neighborhood for some good old Trick-or-Treating. This year my creative juices weren't flowing and I lacked the energy to even BE creative this Halloween so Aubrey decided she would just be a soccer player. Easy. We had the costume! And Jocelyn was a giraffe. Easy. Bought it for 10 bucks at Costco. We all got a kick out of her little chubby costume. Every time she walked, her padded bottom would jiggle and her tail would swish from side to side. It was cute! The only downside to her giraffe costume was that the hood made it hard for her to see and she complained about the sleeves covering her hands - making it hard for her to hold her trick-or-treat pumpkin. But she was very insistent on holding her own bucket. I offered to hold it for her in between houses and she said "No - I hold it!" So her costume must have not been THAT hard to wear. :) She loved being a giraffe. She had been waiting weeks to wear the thing! We didn't stay out long because it was getting pretty late and cold but they did really good scoring about a fourth of their buckets full of candy. Which isn't bad because they don't eat too many sweets anyways. Can't wait for next year when Andrew will be with us to have fun with this tradition - the dressing up part anyways! Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!

New - This Week In Pictures (10/19-10/25)

I'm trying out something new!

I take tons of photos every week and most of them do not end up on our blog because I just don't have enough time to properly display them. I thought I would start posting some pictures from the previous week every Sunday (I know I'm a day late here but my intention is to post them every Sunday). This may end up being more beneficial to us as a journal and to the Grandparents, etc. out there that miss seeing us but hopefully it's enjoyed by all.

Week: October 19-25, 2008

{Family walk: Jocelyn being shielded from the sun}

{Aubrey & Mom: on our walk around the college campus by our home. And no...Aubrey's not as tall as me (YET)...she's standing on the curb}

{The trees turning Fall colors}

{Girls waiting at doctor's office for Aubrey's flu shot}

{My view of Jocelyn - I believe she was asking for a snack here}

{Aubrey at the playground}

{Jocelyn on the swings - of course!}

{Jocelyn at the playground}

{Reading a favorite classic with Daddy: Goodnight Moon}

Fredericksburg Battlefield - Lee Drive

Another Sunday evening family outing took us to a place close to home called Fredericksburg Battlefield - Lee's Drive. It's interesting that we drive by here almost weekly when we go to the Recycling Center but in the 2 years that we've lived here, we never thought to stop or even knew what was there for that matter. We drove to the end of this road which led us to Prospect Hill (the southern end of the Confederate line). The original cannons used during the war were displayed out on the field. Not a whole lot to see and read about but it was still neat to find out more about the Civil War battle. Before we left Prospect Hill, we decided to take a nature walk down a marked trail to enjoy the outdoors. The girls also had a blast running around collecting leaves for a project before we left to go back home.

Fall 2008 Soccer Awards

{Aubrey accepting her trophy award from her coach and assistant coach}

Aubrey's soccer team lost the 2nd game in the playoffs but they had a really great season and had a lot of fun. Which we think is all that matters - not winning! We're really proud of how well she's coming along in soccer and the experience she's getting from it. Depending on a few factors, she may or may not be participating in the upcoming spring season but don't worry...this won't be the last you hear of her kicking the ball! She loves it!

It's That Time Of Year Again!

Pumpkin season!! Just getting into the holiday season in general. Boy do I love the Fall! As well as the smell of just baked bread floating through the home. Mmm!

My awesome little helper (Jocelyn) and I made our annual pumpkin bread together this morning. She had a blast knocking over the cinnamon spice jar off the pudding boxes while I beat the ingredients together. Whatever works I guess. :) It definitely kept her occupied while I got the bread batter into the oven. It was great 'Mom and daughter' time.


I posted this recipe last year but I'm including it again if anyone wants to try it.

Delicious Pumpkin Bread

5 eggs
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 packages (3 ounces each) cook and serve vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add oil and pumpkin; beat until smooth. Combine remaining ingredients; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture. Pour batter into five greased 5-in x 2-1/2 x 2-in. loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. OR 2 greased 8 inch x 4 inch x 2 inch loaf pans for 75-80 minutes.

Another Blissful Year

Woke up to the alarm at 7:15am (oops, slept in a little) and noticed that hubby was still home. Then I remembered: he took the day off of work to spend it with ME instead! I was able to get ready for the day, including drying my hair & putting my make up on (a rare thing these days). And in peace might I add. He included Jocelyn when taking Aubrey to school which then allowed me to make breakfast. All before 9am. It's a miracle!! And a lovely gesture on his part.

This year, we mutually decided to keep things simple. We had no particular plans for the day. Just each other's company was all that was requested. What to do...what to do?? Got in the car and drove off to Ikea is what we did. Which is a great place for people like us who like to dream up designs for 'future said built home.' Arrived to Ikea shortly after store doors had been opened. Very relaxing and nice to wander around without crowds of people stepping on our heals or screaming children on every side jumping on furniture. We were done touring the top floor - arriving in front of the cafeteria at approximately 11:45am. LUNCH TIME! It's a luxury for us to eat at Ikea (or anywhere for that matter!) so of course our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. But the food was oh. so. good! Their swedish meatballs were heavenly. As always. Jocelyn approved of her macaroni and cheese, french fries, apple sauce, and OJ.

John and I had fun making each other laugh at who knows what as we snapped one anothers photo.

Off we went downstairs to collect a few selections and then hit the road for home around 1pm. And it's a good thing too that we thought to bring Jocelyn's all time favorite blanket. She was out in seconds for her delightful nap. Otherwise, we would have been punished BIG TIME!

As soon as Aubrey got off the bus, we drove the girls over to the local playground to enjoy more of the fall fresh air. It got a little chilly but we all had a great time.

Today was an awesome day! Happy Anniversary sweetie! Thank you so much for taking this beautiful day off to be with me. I look forward to many, many more anniversaries. You're my best friend and I love you! :)

In tribute to John and I's anniversary, I wanted to share another love story with you. A story like ours that keeps on living and growing. This couple is amazing - and their love is aspiring for so many. Please continue to keep them in your hearts and prayers!
Go here to view video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiKPeNIAETc

Pumpkin Carving

Do these pumpkins look a bit familiar?

We spent a good part of our Sunday evening carving the girls' pumpkins to add some Halloween spirit to our doorstep. Jocelyn wouldn't dare touch the pumpkin guts as she thought it was gross so John took her pumpkin on as his own project. Here's Aubrey gutting hers:

Aubrey carved a witch but when taking a picture, flash or no flash, it didn't show up too well so here is a picture of how John did with Jocelyn's pumpkin. She insisted on it being a kitty - I think it turned out nicely. Aubrey's witch was a little too detailed and the carving tool broke during the process but she did a great job on it. Next year we'll try and find easier ones to do.

Aubrey & Jocelyn hugging before the pumpkin carving began.

Jocelyn all bundled up on our family walk.

Swing Time

My friend Dani and her little boy met up with Jocelyn and I today to take a trip to the park in downtown Fredericksburg. Thankfully she knew of a really nice place to go to in the area as we still haven't had much luck finding one. Jocelyn had a blast - especially on the swings! Playing at the park definitely geared her up for lunch and nap time quickly. And boy did she need it! :)

Before our trip to the park, Jocelyn had her 1 month recheck on how her weight was doing. She has gained a whole pound in one month - now at 21 lbs and 5 oz. I find that this is also because she is eating more of the foods that we are eating. Finally! And I'm happy to report that she even eats the peas among a few other vegetables that I sneak into her food. Oh the tricks we parents sometimes have to try. At least for now. They want her to come back in one month to see if her weight is continuing to climb or at least stay close to where it's at now. She still is below the percentage chart for growth but in the 5th percentile in height. She may be small but she's healthy and that's all that matters!

The Not So Itsy Bitsy Spider

Our night was rather eventful. We got home from soccer and Jocelyn was telling John something. "Daddy, an ant" she would say over and over again until she got his attention and went over to look at what she had found. By our front window in the dining room close to the floor was not an ant but a HUMONGOUS spider!!! Outside of the zoo, I have not seen a spider this big before. No exaggeration. I try not to pass on my spider fears to my children but I just couldn't help myself this time. This was too disturbing for me to control my anxiety. You should have seen us girls all huddled on the kitchen rug gasping and starring at this thing on the wall walking slowly across it as John went and fetched a broom. MUCH too big to capture and let loose or squish with a napkin. We did NOT want this spider to get away and surprise us down the road. Been there, done that. He whacked it pretty good with one shot of the broom, swept the big ball of spider guts into the dust pan and tossed it out into our front lawn. And of course, after the fact, he says, "we should have taken a picture to put on the blog" and goes into our yard with a flashlight in one hand and the camera in the other. It was pretty interesting to watch him. Ten minutes into that, he still wasn't able to find it but I'm sure our neighbors think we're loons! I wish I had the courage to grab the camera and take a picture of it before it's fatal death but I was stuck in shock mode to do anything but stare so you'll just have to believe me when I say it was H*U*G*E - miniature tarantula size. At least it wasn't a black widow or a brown recluse. But now, just the thought of this so called "ant" gives me the chills and creeps! And for those of you that know me real well, can vouch for me that I have never been nor ever will be a spider fan. And I'm sure that some of these people that know me and this fact are probably laughing just thinking of me shrieking in horror as I make John save the day! He IS my hero though.

Soccer Playoffs

{Aubrey: Fall soccer 2008}

Aubrey's soccer team made it to playoffs again. Their first playoff game was tonight and they won 4 to 0. The next game they play is on Saturday and if they beat that team, we'll go on to the last final game the following Wednesday. She has had so much fun playing soccer and does so well. Because in tonight's game she was mainly playing defense, she didn't get a whole lot of action on the field but here is two videos of her team making a goal and her standing guard blocking the goal:


Fall Soccer Finals - Goal

Fall Soccer Finals - Aubrey

And a video of Jocelyn 'dancing' on the sidelines for I guess either something to do to stay warm or because she was happy I gave her a few m&ms (personally, i'm thinking the m&ms was the reason):

Jocelyn - 10/13/08

Pumpkin Pickin Time

Our family made it to the Pumpkin Patch! (For one reason or another we weren't able to go last year.) It's a tradition that we always look forward to.

One of our first stops was at the chicken coop. This was interesting to Jocelyn as she has never seen a chicken before, let alone a hundred of them all at once! Aubrey had a blast chasing around the chickens with our friends' children. Jocelyn tried to stay close to big sis for added comfort.

Ah yes. The all time favorite: tractor. I'm not sure why but Jocelyn has a huge fascination with tractors so it wasn't a question that we got a picture of her on one. She looks pretty content up there, wouldn't you agree?

Jocelyn (along with daddy) spent a large portion of the time on the farm feeding the animals. The llama and horses were being forced fed by many, many children. I'm sure that the animals didn't mind so much!

Aubrey and her girl friends ran ahead to play on the barn swings. She'd swing for a little bit, hop off and get back in line and then get right back on it again. This went on for quite awhile. I think this picture shows how much fun she was having. Naturally, it was like pulling teeth to get her off the swing when it was time to go pick our pumpkins.

We searched up and down the pumpkin patch for a little while - watching both of the girls running around trying impatiently to find their perfect shape (& shade) of orange. Here are their final picks. I have to say they did quite well. And boy were we all in need of food and naps by the end of our adventure. :) Can't wait until next year when we can do it all over again! We had so much fun.