Happy Halloween!!

We have had such a blast celebrating our first family Halloween with Susannah that I couldn't even wait until tomorrow to post a blog about all the fun.  (this could have something to do with the dangerously high sugar levels that are currently coarsing through my system.  I type this as I am chewing on a tootsie roll.)    Here are some pics from the day.

We spent the afternoon in the backyard for some pumpkin carving action.

Meadow and Susannah were much more interested in playing on the blanket than helping Daddy with the carving.

Once the work was done though, everyone wanted to play with the finished product.

Daddy is a great pumpkin carver.

After naptime we suited up in our costume for pictures and trick-or-treating.

We met up with some friends for the trick-or-treating.   We had a giraffe, a bat, a ballerina, and Cinderella.   Cinderella wasn't quite ready for the ball when we took this shot.  ;)

Coronado has an amazing set up for Halloween.   From 3:30-5:30, all the businesses on the main street close down and the owners wear costumes and hand out candy.   Here is Susannah getting her very first treat.

And her second......

As you can imagine, she wasn't super excited. 

She did like meeting another of her kind at the bank.  ;)

It was crowded, but so fun to see all the costumes.   

Daddy rescued her from the stroller for a little while.

Even the local movie theatre got in on the fun.  

We ran into some more friends on the street.   Arial and Sebastian riding in their wagon.

And then we came to light our jack o'lantern and handed out candy.



I told Peter that this is by far my favorite Halloween ever.   So, so fun!!   I can't even imagine how much fun it will be next year when Susannah actually understands.    I probably won't be able to contain myself.
Hope your Halloween was just as happy!

A weekend of wild animals

Our weekend was lots of fun, and, I realized as I was going through the photos, animal themed.   Saturday was a big day.....Susannah's first birthday party.   It was a costume party which meant that she was able to debut her halloween costume  a week early!    

Our little Sophie the Giraffe

I think the tail was my favorite part.

Here is the birthday butterfly Leyton with Susannah and the Daddys. 

I think she loved her costume, don't you?

Here are all the girls.   Far right is our friend Hillary, who came in all the way from Jacksonville, Florida for Leyton's big day.   (In case you are wondering, Peter was a gorilla and I was a zoo keeper.   Peter didn't get to wear his mask though, because the birthday girl cried everytime he put it on.) 

Susannah loved playing with all of Leyton's birthday presents.  

And she loved Miss Hillary.    So glad we got to spend the week with you Hil!   We miss you already!

This picture is random and doesn't really go with the animal themed weekend, but I had to post it because these are Susannah's first pair of big girl pjs.   By big girl I mean 2 pieces.   Peter and I were laughing about how they looked like Dr. Seuss pajamas and then when I was taking her picture, she kept pulling down this Dr. Seuss book and it just seemed post-worthy.

Sunday we headed for the Safari Park.   It is north of San Diego and is a part of the San Diego Zoo.  It features huge habitats and you can ride around in trucks and feed the animals. (we skipped this since we didn't think a two hour truck ride with Susannah in our laps would be the smartest choice.)  It is a beautiful park though, and we had a great day.

Susannah and Daddy before the bird show.   She loved watching the birds fly over.

Checking out the gorillas

Looks just like King Kong, right?

Here was the momma and her new baby.   Interesting carrying technique, isn't it?

We also saw this elephant family, including the little baby.    So cute.

Here is a view of the "African" habitat.   It is so vast and beautiful.

Susannah really loved the view.

Next we headed into bird aviary.   At first Susannah was a little suspicious,

but she warmed up quickly, 

and had two new friends before we knew it.   

All in all, a perfect family weekend!   Happy Birthday Leyton!   Thanks for a great party!

10 Month update and a Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Susannah, you are 10 months old!!   How did this happen?   When did this happen?  You are such a big girl now.   You are wearing 12 month clothes (already fitting into some 18 month stuff) and size 3 diapers.   You are eating more and more table food.   You love bananas and cooked carrots.    We are still working on the sign language.   You do the sign for "more please" during meals, but I don't think you actually know what it means yet.    Here are some recent pictures of you, including our Saturday afternoon at "Pumpkinpolooza."

You pull up on everything now.

The couch is your favorite.

But the mirror in your room is really fun too.

Actually, come to think of it, it is all really fun!

You are without a doubt a daddy's girl.   Your new thing is pointing.   You point to us like you want us to respond in some special way.   It is so cute.

 And now for this weekend's big event.......Pumpkinpolooza!!!   A local organic farming coop threw a big "fall festival" of sorts, complete with a scary, sunflower maze, live bluegrass band, and a real pumpkin patch.    So, of course, when your best friend Leyton invited us to go, we wouldn't have missed all the amazing photo opportunities for the world!

Here you are checking out some hot peppers with Dada.

You and Leyton were not very interested in the cameras.    You just wanted to look at each other.

Even if you guys aren't looking, you are still perfectly adorable!

Here is one of your solo shots.   I think the sun was in your eyes a little bit.

Here you are helping Mommy navigate the spooky maze.

We thought it would be fun to get some shots of you playing in the hay, but you didn't want it to touch your feet, so most of the time, you were doing this baby version of 10 minute abs.

Eventually you relaxed enough to check out the weird yellow stuff that we had put you on.

I love this picutre of you.   

After playing in the hay, it was time for the grand event......the pumpkin patch!!

"I want this one Mommy!!"  

 After purchasing the perfect pumpkin for your first Halloween, we headed to a sushi restaurant that had been recommended by a friend.   Here we are in front of our spread.   Yum is all I can say.

Putting you and Leyton at the end of the table together was the next best thing to having a babysitter.   You kept each other pretty entertained.

Susannah, I know I say it everytime I post one of these monthly blog updates, but I don't think I can ever say it enough, so here goes:   You are the light of my life.   I really never knew I could love something or someone as much as I love you.   You are a blessing straight from God.    Your Dada and I love you so very much and watching you learn and grow is our biggest joy.   (All of this is not to imply that you don't also drive Mommy completely crazy sometimes.....especially when you throw your sippy cup of the high-chair 27 times a meal.)     But during those frustrating times, it only takes one glance at this face and my heart is glowing again.

Thank you, beautiful one, for all the love and happiness that you have provided during the last 10 months.