Happy Halloween!

Charlie and Lisa stopped by this afternoon for some quick pics since the Harvest Party at church didn't quite bore them enough to capture some cute shots. They were way too interested in all the activities to sit still! So, here's our second try!



We didn't actually trick or treat, we just went to the neighbor's house to say hi. We didn't even have shoes on! Eliot thought it was fun though!

We practiced several times today. Eliot would hold the bowl of candy (thankfully he has no idea what that all is yet...)and I would say 'trick or treat'. Then he would give me the candy and we would clap. He was a natural. I think he has the gift of hospitality...


It was a rather slow night for our block this year which was quite disappointing. But Eliot got to use his new skill for a night. Each time the kids would say goodbye and we'd shut the screen door, he would give me the "more" sign with the biggest grin on his face. A couple times we caught him standing at the door waiting for more kids! It was quite cute.

Monkey Madness

In following with the theme so far, Eliot was a Monkey for Halloween. (Yes, it's not until Wednesday but we've been to a few parties already and gotten some wear out of the costume.)

First we went to Fisher's(Elmo) brand new house for a Halloween party.





Please notice the progression between our Monkey and the sweet little butterfly on the right end of the couch....



Then this last Thursday we went to our church's Harvest Party. Charlie was the banana, Eliot the Monkey. Monkeys and Bananas...=)so adorable. A little history: last year we thought E would be home for Halloween so we bought him a pea pod costume. Charlie got a carrot costume. Instead of being peas and carrots, sweet Charlie was a lonely little carrot...




Eliot's first pixie stick experience. He was not a fan which I was happy for!

Eliot and Batman (AJ!)

It was cold and rainy but we had a great night! Thanks Greentree!

SSN

Well, Eliot joined the rest of us cattle-branded population and got his social security number today. I would post it but then you would be able to steal his identity and ruin his flawless credit score.

Does this make him even more official? Not sure, but it feels pretty official. Woo-Hoo!

Dear Russ...

Here's a snapshot of what you're missing...

I wonder...

*When Sharon and Melissa will get to come home
*Why all of the batteries in Eliot's toys died at once
*When I will quit shopping for myself in the junior department
*How the Lord will choose to build our family next
*Why the pharmacist let me fill my prescription for 7 months so easily
*At what point will I reach up to hug Eliot
*Why I have no motivation to start running when I used to love it
*If Eliot will crave bananas every time he hears coffee percolating since he eats them every morning while I'm making coffee (as in Pavlov...)
*What will happen to Guatemalan adoptions on January 1
*What Eliot's teachers will say to us at conferences
*How it could possibly be snowing already in Colorado
*How much cuter could Eliot possibly be

Pumpkin Patch Pics

From the beginning of time, God designed last Saturday for those who wish to take their family and friends to a pumpkin patch. It was amazing, sunny blue skies, temps in the 70's and an open calendar. So, after a few phone calls, we met a few friends at their house and took a quick roadtrip out to the pumpkin patch.

As you can see, he wasn't super excited about these oversized orange things mom just put him in!

After the brief hangout time with Charlie in the pumpkins, we found the pony rides and couldn't resist!

He was pretty excited after having practiced riding Daisy at home.



We navigated our way through a tricky Corn Maze where Mike gave Eliot a spanish lesson on Maze vs. Maiz.


Dad volunteered to take E down the Miner's slide!

Jake, Lisa and Charlie!

Mike and Beth with the kids!

The Mohr's (E grinning because he's scooting down the hill)

We finished the daylight hours with a wagon ride through the apple trees. Once it got dark, we all went on a haunted hayride. It was scarier for us than the kids, since both Eliot and Charlie fell asleep!

We lost him...second edition

You also might be asking, "how's the transition going" referring to Eliot needing take a nap later in the day and eat lunch first. Well, take a look for yourself. Here's lunch time today: (You may not be able to see the sections of grilled cheese in each hand that didn't quite make it...)



(also notice Daisy's spot. This is now a habit while Eliot's eating...wonder why?)
I thought we were getting better. He fell asleep Saturday in the stroller at 10:45 and was out until after 1:00. Yesterday he fell asleep on the way home from church at 11 until someone set the fire alarm off again at noon. When talking to a friend about it yesterday she flattered me by saying that it must be because his original schedule was so routine that it'll be hard to break. For 3 months he's slept from 11-1 and then a second nap around 4:30. Until last week. He was doing so good staying up until 1 and then sleeping until 3 or 3:30. The last four days haven't been a lot of progress. Maybe this is one of those 2 steps forward, 1 step back transitions? I guess we'll find out!

Her Majesty...

Yes, I have decided that I'm a queen. Next time you see me I might even be wearing a tiara of some sort. The queen of what, you might be asking. The Queen of Double Messages, as Debbie (our marriage camp teacher) would put it.

In our weekly Marriage Boot Camp sessions, Debbie has brought up how we women put out double messages to our husbands. These mixed messages make it difficult for our marriage because it creates impossible expectations. For example: In my mindset, I feel strongly that Russ should not be gone so much. I also feel that we need more money, so he should be gone more to make some. I want him to notice how beautiful I am more often but not be so focused on the physical. I want one thing and its opposite all at the same time. (If Russ ever looks tired to you, this might be why...)

This isn't just with Russ. It's with everything. I want Eliot to grow up faster so we can play candyland and soccer but he really needs to quit growing so fast. I want it to be sunny and warm but cool enough to wear a hoodie and hat and scarf. I want my friends to send me emails and call but I really don't want to answer my phone or hit reply on an email. I want to live in the city and the suburbs. I want to be financially free but want to still depend on God for my every need. I want to lose a few pounds and still drink coke and eat cookies every day. I want to invite my neighbor over for dinner and I want him to move away.

Contentment. Balance. Moderation. Anyone else craving it?

Updated FE pic!

By the way, here's an updated pic of the Fundies Undies including our newest member, Jess! We had a great time at dinner and the FE show last weekend!

We lost him

In attempts to push Eliot's only nap of the day back to after lunch (instead of eating lunch everyday at 2:00!) we lost him. See below.

This has been part of the lunch routine all week. He'll start chewing with his eyes closed and then slowly quit chewing. And then he's gone. It's pretty cute.