One of the girls favorite weekly activities is the library run. Yesterday while we were checking out the books and DVD's they brought over a big tub of fun Fall things to pick from. Suz picked the last spider (whose legs were falling off but we knew we could just super glue them back), Ella picked a bouncy ball and both girls got to pick a rubbery bracelet. I love over hearing the imagination of a three-year-old and her new toy spider.
I've been hesitant to let Suzanna ride her bike on our morning walks. We walk as a family around the loop and sometimes she'll say her legs are tired and we either have to pull her along or Casey ends up carrying the bike the rest of the way. This morning she asked to ride her bike around the big loop....I said "Yes".

It was one of those Fall days. We went to one of our favorite trails and walked around. The girls loved the huge leaves they collected. Family walks are a such a treat. We love this time of year. Snuggle clothes, sunshine thru the window heating up the room, carving pumpkins, pulling out the slippers, hot chocolate.....and this year we've got one of the greatest gifts coming to our family....the girls having a little baby brother.

Today I got to see the little guy again. The tech kept talking about how well he was huffing and puffing (practice breathing).....good for you little guy! Measurements were taken and he's on the mark for everything except his nogen and chest (which seems to be reading bigger). I guess that means we've got a smart swimmer about to come. Everything looked great, and we're excited to see him in person in just 5 weeks!

~ Lit Pumpkins, pumpkin pancakes, muffins, pumpkin seeds, pie....
~ Chilly days when you wear fleece in the house
~ Feeling the baby kick away
~ Family walks in the evenings
~ Root Beer Floats
~ Going to the movies with Suzanna
~ No longer chasing bunnies from our yard
~ Planting our new pear blossom tree
~ Hearing the girls play sweetly together in the room
~ Pulling the old microwave out of the attic (it's hard to live without one)
~ Casey's laugh while watching AFV
~ Ella last night "I need Dada" when it was my night to put her down
~ Pruning the shrubs for the last time for the season
~ Not getting a mosquito bite for weeks
~ Ella twirling her hand around trying to sing "Bumble Bee"
~ Seeing Suzanna's vocabulary explode
~ Feeling near family but living so far away
~ A sweet someone who watches your kids & lets you use their car so you can go to the doctors appointment

The Count made it on the pumpkin this year.
Looking in.

I voted!

A funny conversation between Suz and Casey this evening.
"Don't take the van to work Daddy" Suz said.
Casey then responded "I have to go to work, Suz".
"Take the airplane and leave the van".

This morning we were greeted with a beautiful sunrise. The sun never did shine through the clouds as we had a down pour or rain. It was just one of those days we stayed inside all day. This time of year we have the best sunrises and sunsets, I'll have to keep my camera handy to catch more of them on camera.

Ella's been pretty curious about plants lately. On walks there are certain ones she has to feel as we go by and in the backyard she was recently took interest in the plants.
This one captured her interest for a few minutes.

We started out with a pretty chilly morning that ended with complete sunshine in the afternoon. As the day progressed the girls slowly changed from a Fall outfit to a summer one. We couldn't resist a snack out on the deck.
Ella trying the big girl swing for the first time.

I think we've got a future footballer on our hands. I think she can kick with both feet, aim and dribble the soccer ball much better than I can.
And she's off!

I know it's a bit of an over kill with the warm weather we've been having....but they love wearing them. Cheep cheeps and quack quacks as Ella calls them. Fit for any season

We've been talking about planting something in the island in our front yard for awhile now. Casey started digging and four hours later was still stumped with this deep old cement base of a flag pole. After an hour of trying budge it with the van and a tow hook....it still has maybe another foot or two to go.
I guess we'll have to either dig, dig dig or call someone to pull it up with the proper equipment.

This weekend we took the girls to the local farm. They had pumpkin and apple picking, tractor rides, bouncy stuff and animal rides too. Casey's got a three day weekend because of Columbus Day (thank goodness someone still celebrates that day). We wanted to do something fun on Saturday and then get back to work around the house and yard on Monday. We've had extremely warm weather for October. The fan is still running in each room, sun brighter than ever, girls usually in only t-shirts by the end of the day and the AC kicks in almost every day. Ella's at the fun age to really enjoy her surroundings. She's at the best age thus far of her life (in my opinion). I love this age, they walk, feed themselves, can't nag or talk your ear off & don't sass back.....they're just free spirited and easy going.

We've rekindled the old family tradition of watching the "Funny Show" right before bed on Sunday nights (America's Funniest Videos). The girls have started this little tradititon of their own of pulling out the princess bed, getting their blanks and sitting front row. This entire week has been pretty toasty for October, and tonight was no different....if you noticed they were in their skivvies.

Once in a while Ella will get this excitement built up inside of her and this is the result....
...the chubby neck.

Ever since one of our walks, Suzanna has been fascinated by butterflies and repeats the story of one that kissed her. It was cute, the butterfly did land on her cheek. Coming home from church we must have brought this yellow one in with us because it lay a little injured on the garage floor. We brought it in and of course she was again fascinated by the beauty of the little creature.
I was impressed to see how gentle she was with the butterfly. She even picked it up to set it free in the backyard.

...she loves to snuggle.

New words we hear from little Missy:

Bonk

Stuck ("tuck")

Book

Ball

Bus

Naked (nay-kek)

Walk

Poo-poo

Duck

Dog

All done

This is....

Yeah

Mama

Daa (Dad)

Sign Language you'll see:

More

Food

No

Yes

Please

Thank you

Here you go, Allison! Sorry it's taken so long for us to post a video. If you look closely, you'll see Suzanna dancing in the reflection of the fireplace. We'll try to get some more videos for you!

We've been the recipient of Random Acts of Kindness today. One of the acts was Suzanna picking a flower for Ella from the yard. Something else welcomed us this morning was the proof that we hadn't completely ended its life. We're speaking of the rose bush (once between the deck and house) and now resides alive near the shed. The two years we've been living in this house, this bush has produced roses year round. What, a rose in the month of October? Yes, this was the second act of kindness today.....a beautiful site to behold.

The panda above was given to Suz by a little grandma at the grocery store. We bumped into her a few times during our grocery time and and the end of our check out she came over and gave Suz this panda and remarked how cute Suz was and how she made her day. Although Suz was very bashful the entire trip, I think the lady saw how much Suz enjoyed the Random Act of Kindness.