Griffin, Vivian and Georgia's Lives

We always try to have a day where both the kids jump in the leaves. However, Griffin is harder to draw outside every year.

While we waited for him to come and join us, Vivi took some pictures.


It's always interesting to see what the world looks like from her height level.


Leaf close-up.


Home sweet home. Next year, if all goes well, our house will look very different at leaf jumping time! (Thanks to the addition going up next summer.)


Griffin joined us and the leaf fun began.





Sure, why not do yoga in the leaves?

For the sake of factual accuracy, Mommy did about 98% of the leaf-raking today. ;-)




After concluding the leaf festivities, Griffin had to come back for a second round -- sans shoes.


Hmmm, what might be lurking under those leaves?

Can you spot it now?

Winter will soon be upon us, so it's time to enjoy the warm days while we can.

A wagon ride in the woods to see the turning leaves sounded really good.

Happy girl.


Big smile!


Big hug!


You never know how Georgia's going to react to Vivian's over-enthusiastic attentions, but she was pretty receptive this time.


We made a fairly small pile of leaves to jump in. Yay!


The kids look forward to jumping in the leaves all year.


The lamp post makes a handy spinning device.


What a fun fall day!

This girl is ready for Thanksgiving!


We love the view of our neighbor's beautiful tree out our front door.


Time to get the fall flag out too! Vivian likes taking the flags on and off - she's a great helper.

Georgia was sick today, so she wasn't feeling the best for her last official 'month-day.'


Despite being under the weather, she enjoyed hearing us all sing to her.


She is lots of fun at 11 months, being in fully mobile scooting mode, using her two little teeth to eat her favorite food (fruit), and waving 'bye-bye' when we say the word 'bye' (as well as occasionally also saying 'hi' or 'bye'). She finally figured out how to sit up from a lying-on-her back position, but now she gets stuck sitting and won't lie back down -- then the yelling starts. She loves her brother and sister and gives us all hugs -- she also pats the kids on the back while hugging. She blows us kisses and gives those of us who are smooth real kisses (avoiding Daddy's prickly beard). She loves to feed baby dolls with a bottle and play 'where's the baby' (peek a boo) with blankets or clothes. She is such a joy (even when she is also a pain)!

The kids had lots of fun with Grandma's visit! It was so busy that we didn't take many photos.

Grandma kept Vivi entertained at dinner.


It was a bit chilly, but we enjoyed the outdoor movie -- perhaps the last of the year?

Griffin is enjoying Cub Scouts, which he started this year. A lot of the kids in his class are in it, which is fun.

Our neighbor with a flagpole kindly agreed to host the outdoor flag ceremony.


Griffin saluting the flag.


After that we dropped off donation bags for the Scout food drive.


Vivian thought it was really cool to help the boys deliver the bags.


Despite it being fall, it was a pretty warm day!

We've got a chipmunk hole right by our front porch, and this little guy was very interested in our pumpkins. I didn't catch it on camera, but he was standing on top of the big pumpkin at one point.


Now we know who has been leaving the chew marks on the pumpkin! I think he has some company though -- squirrels and deer are his likely co-culprits.

After months of anticipation, Halloween finally arrived today!


The kids were decked out in their favorite Halloween apparel before school.


We followed our usual routine of meeting up with the neighbors to trick or treat. Vivian was excited to head out in her Tiana costume. Tiana is her favorite princess at the moment. (Her princess shoes with heels did not last long.)


In our rush we neglected to get a shot of the 3 kids together, but here are the neighbors on the driveway (Sophie, Jack, Jackie [in the black costume you can barely see], Gregor, Gracie the dog, Georgia, Vivian and Griffin). We were pleased that it was a decent temperature and not too rainy, so we could enjoy the night.

The Zaras (plus Gracie). We made Griffin and Jackie wear flashing lights on their backs, because they all but disappeared in the dark. Vivi made her case that Tiana would certainly wear glittery gold eye shadow.


Getting photos of actual trick or treating is always tough, but Vivi had fun running from house to house. She was leading the pack in her enthusiasm.


A house a few streets over likes to have a big pumpkin carving display.


Griffin had gone ahead with Jackie by this point, leaving the little kids behind.


Trick or treat!


The kids were pretty worn out after walking about 4 streets in our neighborhood. They enjoyed seeing their jack o lanterns lit up for the evening. After wrapping up trick or treating, we headed to the 'skeleton house' [lots of full size skeletons, spiders, bats, and other cool decorations] and then back home.


Per our usual tradition, the kids sorted their candy (and ate a good amount) while watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Notice Griffin fending Georgia off of his candy.


It always feels nice to relax, eat some chocolate, and watch Charlie Brown at the end of the evening.


Georgia was all for it too.

She was determined to reach Griffin's candy, crawling over his leg obstacle to achieve her goal! Another great Halloween...