Painting Pumpkins

While Brody was in preschool I helped Colt paint his pumpkin.  (This is one of the three pumpkins from our garden)  It was so enjoyable to be able to sit with Colt and work on an activity with him. 

Once I started to take a video Colt wanted to stop painting so he could see what I was filming. 

Corn Maze

On the last full day that John & Jenny were in town we decided to join them for a trip to the corn maze.  Papa Bob graciously paid for all of us to go.   In the end it was a great investment.   The boys had a ton of fun and it was also enjoyable for us adults as we tried to navigate our way through the maze.    We had two different mazes and had to find different posts.  At each post we had to get a punch in our card.  The boys were so excited to do this.  Brody was a little too excited and always wanted to be first.

Papa Bob discussing the map with the boys.

Ollie soaking it all in. 

A group photo of the boys. 

Colt did get a little tired but thankfully Papa Bob was there to offer a shoulder to ride on.



Great Grandma & Ollie

My grandma had a great time hanging out with our family for the birthday party.  She especially liked snuggling with Ollie and he loved her.  I was able to snap a quick picture. 

8 + 1

With all the grandkids together we attempted to take a picture of the 8 grandsons and the 1 granddaughter. I just tried to snap the pictures as quickly as possible.  I think I got one decent picture.  

We tried to get one with Abi & Andrew (George & Wesley's cousin and also Brody, Colt, & Ollie's cousin).  You will notice that Ollie was done with pictures.  At least we tried.

Super Heroes!

Jenny made capes for all the cousins.  (She is the homemaker and creative one in our family).  Each cousin had their initial on the back and on the reverse side was a star.  The kids LOVED them!

They were supposed to be saying SUPERHERO! but you will notice that Colt is making his funny face.

Mac, Dinoco and Puffs

As part of the birthday party George and Wes gave each of their cousins a birthday present.  Brody was so excited to get his Mac Truck (from the CARS movie). 

Colt got the Dinoco truck but of course wanted exactly what Brody had.  It took us a little while to explain how cool his Dinoco truck was.  

Jenny really wanted to get Ollie a toy but I convinced her to get him puffs.   Ollie loved them! 



Brody & Colt opening their presents. 

Birthday Cupcakes

We had cupcakes for each cousin and sang Happy Birthday to everyone.  The kids loved it! 

Colt loving his cupcake!

All the kids sitting at the table.  I love the decorations Jenny did.  She had the kids color pages and then hung them up.  The different colors made it look very festive. 

A video of us singing Happy Birthday to Brody.  Gunner really enjoyed blowing (spitting) out the candles so he came to help Brody.

It was just a few days after my Grandma's birthday so we definitely had to have a cupcake for her.  Gunner helped her out too.  We offered to get her a cupcake without 2 year old spit on it.  She insisted on eating the one that was especially loved by Gunner.

Birthday Party- Bouncy House

My sister (Jenny) decided to throw one big birthday party for all the cousins while they were in town.  (This way she doesn't have to send presents throughout the year --since we both are bad at sending them on time etc. )  I think this is a great idea and it made for a fun day of celebrating.

They spent a lot of time in the bouncy house (thanks Jessie). 

This was an attempt to get all of them in a picture.  I think they are all in there but not all looking.

I love Brody & Zephyr's face in this one.

Chillin' with the cousins

My sister Jenny and her family (John, George & Wesley) came to Seattle.  Since they were here we also arranged for Zephyr and Sean to come.  The cousins had an absolutely wonderful time hanging out with each other. 

Eating lunch together.  There is always something fun to eat at Grandma Shari's.

Dance Party!

All the cousins (except Sean, Ollie & Sayler) watching something on TV. 

A little video of 5 of them dancing. 

Colt's ER visit

We haven't been to the ER lately so we thought we would visit again. 

Earlier tonight I met a friend for coffee.  Brad called me about 8:40 and told me I should come home because he thought Colt had something lodged in his throat. An ambulance was on its way.  I drove home as quickly as I could. 

Brad had put the boys to bed and they were sleeping until he heard Colt coughing.  He went upstairs to check on him and Colt had a panicked look and a panicked cry.   He was also making a terrible noise every time he inhaled.  Brad's fatherly instincts kicked in and he did everything he could to help Colt and to call for the emergency services. 

When I arrived home there were 2 ambulances in our cul-de-sac.  Brad had Colt and they were ready to head to the ER.  Once they left I called our neighbor (have I mentioned that we have the best neighbors---all of them?) and she came over to watch Brody & Ollie (who were still sleeping).  

After a few questions and standard checkups by the nurses and the doctor they thought Colt had croup.  Brad wasn't entirely convinced so we had them take a chest x-ray.  The x-rays found nothing and Colt was given some medicine to help the croup.  (as a side note- the only symptoms he had before going to bed was a slight runny nose.  I would hardly call it a cold.) 

Colt has always been the one who is shy around strangers, who won't let you touch him to take his temperature and is always wanting his mom to be right by his side.  But not tonight.  He was such a trooper.  Brad said he had a difficult time getting him calmed down but once he said the doctor was coming to take care of him he settled down.  With all the prodding, temperature taking and x-rays he was a superstar patient.  We were and still are so proud of him.    Mostly we are thankful that he was well taken care of. 

Sounders & Friends

We went to the last Sounders home game of the season.  Since it was the last home game they had extra festivities including a concert.  We also made plans to join our friends, Joe & Sara Jo.  (I used to teach with Sara Jo at Sunny Hills and she is wonderful. She still puts in the effort and makes time to see me even though I have 3 little kids) 

It was a great night!  The weather was wonderful with blue skies and nice cold fall air.  We had great company and the Sounders won! 

Thanks for joining us! 

Pockets

I put this sweatshirt jacket on Brody and he put his hands in the pockets. Colt saw him do that so he wanted to do the same thing.  (I had to help him find his pockets)  He was so proud of himself for being just like his big brother.  Fortunately I had the camera nearby to take a picture.

Brody actually took this picture of Colt.

I took a video but it turns into Brody jabber at the end. 

Sleeping Brothers

We have been having some trouble with Colt sleeping in his crib.  One night Brad put him in the bed with Brody and he went to sleep immediately.  Since then Brody & Colt have shared a bed.  It is really so cute.  They don't seem to mind and sleep quite soundly through the night. 

Swim Caps

A few weeks ago Colt found a few of my swim caps and wanted to put them on.  So we did. 



Somehow I convinced Brad to not only wear a swim cap but to wear the pink one.  Of course the boys thought it was the best thing ever.  

 (Colt also decided to put on his construction helmet)

Swim Caps and silly faces. 

Ollie babble

Ollie is starting to do a lot more talking.  It's especially fun to listen to him on the monitor when he is trying to go to sleep at night.  I was able to get a short video of him doing a little bit of babbling. 

Ollie - 7 months

Ollie is 7 months.  He continues to be a cute and happy baby.  He is starting to sit up on his own which makes life a whole lot more interesting.  

He's not doing much in this video but I know the Grandmas will love it!