Zoo Boo

This was our first year to go to Zoo Boo at the Indianapolis Zoo. Ever since Laney's first Halloween, we've talked about going, but never took time to do it. We always had excuses, with the main being she wouldn't remember it and it was more for us than her. Now that we have a family pass to the Indy Zoo (thank you Mamaw Dee & Papa Joe), we took the time this year! And boy, are we glad we did! We asked our good friends, the Pollert Family, to join us! I think the adults enjoyed it just as much as the kiddos!

We did a little bit of everything while we were there. We checked out the animals, watched the elephant pumpkin smashing, and walked around checking out everyone's costumes.

The dolphin show is always entertaining

The penguins were a kid favorite

The train ride was a family favorite! They told a Halloween story while we rode the train to make it seem "haunted" which was a lot of fun!

These kiddos don't see each other as much as we would all like, but when they do, they have a good time!

Until next year!! I think it's going to be a yearly thing for us!

Trick or Treat!

I've been holding out on posting several pictures lately. I didn't want to spoil the costume debut until Halloween!! We have done many "dress up" events this months. We attended Zoo Boo a few weeks ago (I'll post about that later) and also did trick or treating downtown Seymour last week (again, I'll post about that later). As for now, let's talk Halloween night!

Jesse and Woody from Toy Story came to Seymour to visit!

We loaded up the wagon and started hitting the streets! We only went to a few houses, just our favorite neighbors! :)

One of the first stops was the Weineke house. Kenzie is our FAVORITE babysitter! We are going to miss her so much next year when she goes off to school. Let's hope she comes home to visit a lot! My kids love her!!

We met up with the Bruce pirates while we were out and about. Charlo and Betsy were as cute as ever! Loved Charlo's "gotee" and Betsy's awesome outfit!

The kids loved seeing everyone dressed up walking around. They loved when the neighbors let them pick out what candy they wanted instead of just giving them whatever. Laney's favorites seemed to be suckers (tootsie pops) and Max seemed to go for the Reese Cups! Both good choices!

Pumpkin Time!

We did the pumpkin picking a few weeks ago and finally found a free night to paint! The kids had a blast painting! The parents had a blast watching, but cleanup.....ugh, that was another story! Laney tried so hard working on her pumpkin and painting her name on it several times (I must say, she is doing excellent on writing her name!). First thing Max did was dip the paint brush in the paint and try to eat it! YUM!

The paint and paint brushes were out, the kids were in their "paint gear" (no gear for Max)

One tried her best to create her masterpiece

The other was more of the masterpiece!

The smiles these kids had on their faces were just priceless

The memories we created were totally worth it!

18 Months....Already!?!?!

Has it really been 18 months that this little guy came into our lives? I spent tonight thinking about these last 18 months and what joy he has brought to our lives. Eighteen months ago, I was at the hospital enjoying one on one time with Max while Benji was at home with Laney. Eighteen months ago, I was starting all over on nursing. Eighteen months ago, I was losing even more sleep. Eighteen months ago, this handsome little guy became my son!

Our lives couldn't have improved more 18 months ago! Laney became a sister and Benji & I became a Mommy & Daddy of TWO kiddos! Before Max was born, I really didn't know what to expect being a mother of two. Now, I can't imagine my life without him. On days where he is not with me and I just have Laney, I think to myself, "Wow, this is what having one child was like?!" I don't even remember it!

So at 18 months, you may wonder what Max is up to....well to sum it up he is full of smiles, full of laughter, and all boy!! Max enjoys books and blocks. He loves playing with his toy cars & tractors! He imitates how a car/tractor goes pretty good! "Vvrroomm!" He has also become more interested in coloring. Max can point to his body parts (when he wants to, of course!), follows directions very well (is learning to pick up toys, take dirty clothes to laundry room, etc), and is doing extremely well with his fork and spoon when eating (still messy, of course!). Max now has 8 visible teeth, but 3 new ones starting to break through! Max's vocabulary is really expanding lately and he has just started putting 2 words together. His favorite...."new shoes" :)

Max is still sleeping 12 hours (or more!) at night and taking one long afternoon nap (2-3 hrs). Sometimes a short morning nap is needed, though. He loves playing with Laney and going wherever she is and playing with whatever she is playing with! She loves the attention she gets from him, usually! Max also goes to storytime at the library once a week, which he loves!! He also goes to "open gym" once a week to play with other kids. It's at Girls' Inc (yes, boys can go there for open gym!) and he gets to run, jump on trampolines, do obstacle courses, but most importantly, burn some energy while having fun with Mommy & other kiddos! Both storytime and open gym are while Laney is at preschool. Mommy is glad that she is able to spend some one on one time with her little guy!

Max has his 18 month appointment next week, so I will post how he measures up afterwards! What a joy these last 18 months have been!! Max, we love you more than life itself!

On a side note, I must tell you that during me writing this blog, Max woke up SCREAMING! I went in there to find him just wanting Mommy to hold him. Maybe that was his way of saying, "This is what it was like 18 months ago!"

Enjoying Fall

Ever since Laney was first born, we've made it a tradition to take her to a pumpkin patch. Last year was our first year to Apple Works and we loved it, so decided to head back there again this year! Max definitely enjoyed it more this year than last year. I am pretty sure last year he was stuck in the stroller or baby Bjorn carrier the entire day. Not this year....he was running, playing, laughing, and being ALL BOY! Grammy got to tag along with us this year, which made the day even more enjoyable!

We posed for so many pictures, but how is it possible to get a 3 1/2 year old and an 18 month old to look at you at the same time, let alone give me a cute smile!?!? I'm not sure how professional photographers do it!

But we snapped some pictures. Some are good, some not so much

But it really doesn't matter because we have the memories from our fun Fall day at Apple Works!

This little guy is a man of many looks...he's almost always happy

But occasionally he will show you his "silly face"

He's becoming such a big boy, but he's still my baby. He'll always be my baby. Benji says I baby him more than I ever did with Laney. I don't think so, but whatever...if I do, I do. He says all Mom's baby their boys and are harder on girls. We'll see. As these kiddos get older, time will tell!

OK, back to our fun day. I was a little hesitant on going today. I really like going when the weather is more "fallish" but it was still a great day. Maybe a little warmer than I would have liked, but definitely better than super cold!

We enjoyed spending time as a family, and that's what it's all about!

Laney met a couple of boys while we were there. They were comparing their "tattoos" and explaining to each other what they were. It was pretty cute!

The train ride is a must for anyone who visits. The line is long, but worth the wait. Although my legs are still a little cramped from the tight fit!

The slide was the favorite by Miss Laney Bug. I knew she would go down it. She's our little dare devil!

This guy, not so much!

She's super cute, we just can't get enough of her (usually!)

Finally, time to find the perfect pumpkins to paint and carve. Daddy found what he wanted right off the bat. No searchin' all day for him!

Grammy and Max took a little longer to find their ideal pumpkin

but this little girl looked and looked until she found just the one she wanted. After changing her mind several times, we went with the very first one she picked. Isn't that how it always goes?

He just enjoyed roaming around and falling down several times...he's tough, though!

Too cute not to take a picture of this. Unfortunately, Mr Max wasn't fond of being up there and took a tumble seconds after this was snapped

We started getting sleepy on the hayride back from the patch. Might as well take a snooze.

And Miss Thing was out once she hit the carseat.

A great day was had by all! We can't wait to go back again next year!

Happy Fall!!!

It's That Time Again.....

OKTOBERFEST BABY!!

It's a national holiday here in good old Seymour. Oktoberfest is a time of year we all look forward to. Benji and I both grew up loving the "Ofest" and we hope our kiddos look forward to attending year after year. Each year, Nana and Papaw buy the ride bracelet for all 4 grandkids. Laney and Max rode rides on Wednesday evening and Friday afternoon. We met up with Charlo and Besty on Wednesday, and had Laney buddy, Jake, in town to ride over the weekend.

We had to start the day off with the Merry-Go-Round. It was enjoyed by all!

How can you NOT enjoy it?

We got to spend the day with Grammy, which is always a good time!

And, rode the roller coaster for the first time (Mommy was nervous for her, but obviously, she loved it)

Met up with some good friends

Drove a "boat"

Slapped hands with the Carnie (which REALLY grossed Mommy out!)

Max got to experience the slide for the first time

and he loved it!

The Oktoberfest is over, but the memories will always be with us. Rides, food, games....See you next year!!!!