happy halloween :)

Cinderella with Gus, the mouse :)

nine months old

Sawyer is growing so quickly. He can almost pull up all the way...we went ahead and lowered the crib mattress ever since he showed us his skills. He loves to watch Stella and laughs when she does. If we are in the car, he'll look at her and make some sort of noise... it's almost like he's telling her to talk to him. He loves bathtime and splashing in the water. He also has shown an interest in his books lately. We read for about 15 minutes the other day....his favorite are the "touch and feel" books. He can scoot and sit up from lying down all day long, but hasn't figured out how to go forward yet, although he likes to walk holding Mommy and Daddy's hands.

We go for his 9 month appointment next week, so I'm not sure of his weight and height yet...although he feels like he weighs at least 23 lbs. Who needs the gym when you can hold that and do lunges? :)

my sweeties

Sawyer is getting around a lot lately...here he is finding one of his favorite things...a puff that he'd dropped earlier...

:)

Stella posing with the pumpkins before her "Fall Party" at Missionettes. She couldn't quite understand that it wasn't a birthday party...so all week she's been singing "happy fall birthday to you" :)

Big smiles...love her.

I also updated the teaching fix blog today with a cute video of little man shaking his new toy momma made for him :) click here to see. :)

3 special days

Last week held several "firsts" for my little ones.

Wednesday was a day we've all been anticipating...Stella's first Missionette night. I grew up in the same classrooms as a Missionette, and never knew one day I would have one of my own following in my footsteps ...yes, time flies (sniff, sniff). So thankful for no tears and a wonderful first night with Miss Tammy and Miss Kathy.Thursday was another first...the CIRCUS! Circus Fusion came to Metrolina Expo last week, and it was perfect for us all. It only lasted a couple of hours and we had ringside seats for only $7.

Stella's face after I showed he the big top! haha :)

The pony ride :)

could he possibly be this big, already??

Stella and her first experience with nothing, but pure sugar...she liked it :)

Friday was special, too. We were invited to a "fun"-raiser at Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville and couldn't pass it up. Stella was so excited to go to a ball dressed up like Cinderella (one of her favorite princesses right now). While we were getting ready she asked if the grand duke was going to be there, or the stepsisters. So sweet.

My little princess with her hair all fixed up... can you see the blush on her cheeks? (don't tell daddy :)All smiles after overcoming her fear of all the masks. Whew...we thought we were going to leave without our prince :) She wasn't so sure about them, but after one of workers let her pick out some goodies, things were a lot better.

The princesses having a cupcake at the ball...it's tough picking out a prince :)

Big Boy standing up in the stroller...guess I should have had him fastened in all the way...I could kiss those jaws all day.

CanCan, the mascot was Stella's favorite. I think she gave her at least 5 hugs :) Thank you to Bek and Discovery Place Kids for such a fun night!

One more Pumpkin Patch!

This past Friday we went to Patterson Farm to get one more pumpkin! :) The weather was perfect, Daddy got to join us and it was a Friday...what more could a girl want?! We've been here several times now, and I think the kids enjoy it a little more each time. Stella was really excited about the hayride...that actually had hay, and picking another pumpkin out of the pumpkin patch. Sawyer seemed to enjoy it all too...but was more than ready for a little nap on the way home. all the friends after stuffing Mr. Scarecrow...Emma, Haven, Addie, Stella, Beth and Jake

All the kids enjoyed the homemade slide..can you tell?

one more picture :)

little conversations..

Life is becoming so fast pace, that I hardly ever get to pull out my scrapbook stuff and just have fun....so this is becoming my place to document, and maybe one day I'll add it to a page old style in Stella's book... but until then, this is what happened tonight...simple, but something this Momma will miss once the kiddies are older.

Most nights are pretty predictable...eat supper, clean up while we play, have a bath, read our stories, then go to bed. Every night isn't always peachy, and sometimes I feel like a broken record, but Iguess that just comes with parenting. Not until recently has Stella discovered the freedom of getting out of her bed and coming to find us. She loves the independence...I can see it on her face. Tonight, I gave her a bath while Michael played with Sawyer, then we switched and I fed him while Stella picked books out for Michael to read to her. After putting him in bed, we switched again while I rocked Stella...read more books, then put her in bed.

Michael was in the den working on the computer, so I went to get in the shower. Shortly after my quiet time had begun..I hear little footsteps. This is the part I'll miss...I know it.

Our conversation went like this....very simple, very short, but the look on her face was so sweet, and her little voice so precious.

S: Mommy? Me: Yes S: Are you in the shower? Me: Yes, what are you doing? S: I'm just reading books. Me: Where's Daddy? S: He's in brother's room, rocking Bubba. Me: Ok, I'll be in there in a minute S: Mommy, are you dirty? Me: Yea. I'm coming S: O-tay

Michael said she went back in her room, shut the door and went back to her reading. About 15 minutes later, we hear those little footsteps again. Here she comes with a sweet, innocent smile on her face.... I love her to pieces. Maybe I'll get some quiet time before 10:00 tonight..who knows. :)

From apples to pumpkins

The past week and a half has been fun with field trips : ) We love this time of year...short sleeves with jeans..not too hot...just right. Spending time with special people is always a treat, too, these days. First up, was the Apple Orchard. We took a hayride, picked apples, tasted apple cider and sampled different types of apples.

Sawyer eating his first "real" apple

Mimi and Stella on the hayride

I think they way they are standing is hilarious!

Haven, Stella and Bethany being silly :)

the gang..thanks Mom for being the photographer :)

Next up: Lineberger's Pumpkin Patch. We heard a story about pumpkins, got to pick our own, play on the playground and go on another hayride. I think it's funny that we went on two hayrides, but neither of them really had hay :)

Making a pumpkin mask and eating the yummy pumpkin muffins Stacy brought!

Being still for one more picture :)

It's still early...I think we could squeeze in another fall field trip soon :)

small town denver..

Denver has a fair...yes, the small town of Denver :) We actually went twice this year. The first attempt was without Dad with a little girl who wanted to ride everything and a little boy who was sleepy and didn't like the loud noises..at all! Luckily, friends were there to help (Holly, I don't know what I would've done without your extra set of hands) and we made it for about an hour...maybe. These are some pics from the second try...with Daddy, this time along with Sawyer, who managed the noise very well :)
just a note...12 month clothes on big boy here..

Happy Fall Y'all!