Love fall

Andrew looked so cute this morning. We had to pause for a photo opportunity before church. So handsome. He has been spending alot of time putting things in his mouth (shocker). He is very happy now-a-days. Its been wonderful. He sleeps from about 7pm to about 4:30 am most days. He is crawling like a maniac and pulls up anywhere he gets a chance. He also likes to climb. I caught him STANDING UP in Samantha's rocking chair this evening. Scary. He's not really interested in walking yet (thank goodness) but he does take some things and push them around while he 'surfs' -- like stools or play cars.

Samantha has been spending alot of time with her dolly, Loreli. She named her after a friend at Daycare. She is also spending time in the evening learning her letters with me. She is learning to write them too. I think that is her favorite part. She is learning to share but also states that "AJ is bothering me" quite often. She also learned to tumble. Samantha has gone through a growth spurt recently. She is officially in 3T clothes (although the waist issue is a little problem depending on the pants) and we had to get her bigger shoes this weekend (only about 2.5 months since we bought the last pair!).

I have been trying to get a picture of the kids 'together' for 2 weeks. This is the best I could do and this is usually what is happening when they are 'together'. Sit down and hug portraits are impossible right now!

I really think that fall is my favorite season. I used to think it was because it was soccer season (and maybe one day that will be true again), but I now realize that fall means so much more. Its the weather...I appreciate the cool nights and the warm days. Its the anticipation of the coming holidays...I love excuses to visit family for Thanksgiving. Its all of the celebrations....in our family we have so many birthdays in the fall. This coming week is Aunt Laura's and Lotties birthdays and around the corner Pop-pops, Samantha's, Aunt Amanda, & Uncle Mike. Not to mention it's anniversary time. Mindy and Micheal just celebrated 10 years this weekend-- Congratulations. Great-grandma and great-grandpa are celebrating their anniversary this week and Joe and Amanda next week...whew! Who'd I miss?

We are trying to enjoy this weather and get the kids outside more. We have been using our new (used) wagon ALOT. The kids love it and I love having a safe way to take them both on walks around the neighborhood. David's made it to 2 Titans games already this fall and we have been rooting on the Commodores. Both teams are undefeated this season....not likely that that is going to last but we are enjoying it while it does! Hoping to hit the zoo next week and going Pumpkin picking!

Star Spangled Banner

Seems like these last weeks have kept our nation busy - cheering it on, listening and learning from the DNC and RNC - keeping us up late at night to do it all.

We have had a good couple weeks. We visited Ohio over Labor Day and we had alot of relaxing family time. We when to Joe's for dinner one night and had a pool party and dinner with some friends on another night. We were blessed to see a couple good friends. All of the ladies from our wedding party came over either to my mom and dad's or to my sisters to see us. THANKS!

Amy and Luke even came in from Pittsburgh for a few hours! Below is a picture of Luke and Samantha in the "Barbie" jeep. They were killing us. Samantha was hitting the gas but not steering! After she ran into the back of a car we moved them to the gas and gave her a driving lesson!

Samantha's favorite things to do outside include bubbles, splashing in puddles, and writing with sidewalk chalk.


With slightly cooler weather, I have been trying to get the kids outside more. Andrew loves being out there, but he also put EVERYTHING in his mouth and sometimes its hard to make his teething toys look more appetizing than the grass and rocks and....

Andrew is now 8 months old. Here is his 8 month photo. As you can see, he likes to stand up every chance he gets. No surfing yet (thank goodness). He is very attached to mommy right now.