Happy Halloween!

"The Great Pumpkin Bathtub Ghost"



I'm sitting here nibbling roasted pumpkin seeds - the remains of our Halloween revelry. Hundreds of little witches and goblins filled the streets in our little neighborhood community - trick or treating to local merchants. They roamed up and down the sidewalks in really - some of the most spectacular costumes I have ever seen. (Remember the days of those silly plastic costumes and awful plastic masks the grocery stores used to sell? It only took one year of wearing plastic all night for a kid to decide that NEXT year they would create their own costume. No more suffocating behind plastic masks.) I remember my first Halloween costume. I was around 4 years old. I think I was a gypsy. My mother dressed me up in a lot of her scarves and beaded necklaces. I loved it. This is ironic because I still dress like a gypsy most of the time. Woah. I wonder if there is some weird connection for my love of fringe and my first Halloween costume? Wierd.

Anyway...I digress...sorry. :0)

Our own little goblins stayed in last night - wearing their Halloween jammies they received from Grandma Myrna. We carved pumpkins, roasted pumpkin seeds and danced around to "Night on Bald Mountain" music - provided of course by daddy. They seemed delighted with all the little trick-or- treaters. It made Ross and I very excited for next year. I'm not sure but I think Ross is already planning his costume - for what he will wear when he takes the kids out to join those throngs of little ones in our neighborhood.

I think I may dress up like a gypsy.

Anyway - one last glimpse of our wonderful October!

Elizabeth and I took the babies to a pumpkin patch last weekend









Big pumpkins and li'l punkins - Our fun Halloween night




Halloween Sillies

"Oh Daddy. You are sooo funny"



Giggley girl



"Look Jember. Daddy has a camera. Lets go GET HIM!!"




"Its not a party until someone is wearing their bowl of cheerios on their head..."

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Novemer 1st. Rested from our family Halloween party.

Happy Birthday Jonas and Jember

"Babies first leaves. They're crunchy and so colorful...and mmmmm....they don't taste bad either!"


Jonas and Jember turned 9 months old on October 20th! We celebrated over the weekend by spending it with our beloved friends (and adopted aunties) Sue and Shirley. Sue and Shirley live in a little cabin on the edge of a meadow - right on the edge of the foothills. We love being with them. For me, it is like returning home each time we drive out to see them. Its such a wonderful place to be. Sue and Shirley are so loving and kind. I love their home and I really love bringing the babies into the heart of nature. We sat in the sun, enjoying an absolutely stunning autumn afternoon. Ross dug around a little in Sue's garden. Shirley and I split a bowl full of garden fresh garlic. We made a thick pot of autumn soup (broccoli cheese) and had a really warm dinner over soup and wine. Here are some pics from our wonderful afternoon:


Jember shares a secret with Ranger



Sue and Ross decide where to plant next years garden


Playing in the tall grasses


Daddy and Jember
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Jonas loves being outside


Jember helps Sue prepare the oats for the apple crisp


Jonas loves garlic! (Both kids were chewing on garlic stems and LOVING it)



Crawling boy - catch me if you can!



sleepy Jember at the end of the day



In other news its been a week of firsts:



First shoulder ride in the mountains



First week with our new nanny: Lori!! (We looooove Lori!)



First Cheerios!





And finally: First time standing!

October

Its been a very full week for us all. I held auditions for my fall theater production of Jane Eyre. Taking on directing a production (in addition to my class load) feels like an awful lot for me right now, I won't lie. Balancing my role as mother and teacher is proving to be a tiring challenge. My days feel so packed. But, it is also my job to direct 2 productions a year (a job I might add, that I usually love...) The auditions were successful (over 60 kids auditioned) and I have what I believe will be an awesome cast. But the week was draining emotionally and physically (and it was only the audition!) We will rehearse the show for roughly 2 months ~ until in opens in early December.

So what happens when things get busier for me? I'll tell you what. My hard working husband (who is also a teacher) takes up the slack and spends extra time on baby detail while I am at rehearsals. I have to tell you ~ that if it wasn't for the support and love of this beautiful man - I often have wondered if I would simply dry up like the autumn leaves and blow away.
He is truly a kind and gentle soul - a wonderful father and loving best friend.

And now from our past week:

Ross and Jember make a thick autumn soup




Jammin on the piano. The babies give new definition to "Heart and Soul".


Super Daddy


I have taken to bringing my camera with me on my walks. Its been such a pretty autumn that I don't even mind the days when the rains have returned. Today we had a visit from Chris, Anna and Tristan. Visits with these best friends turn our little apartment into a place of happy chaos. We always enjoy a little lunch and a walk down to the boardwalk park. It was such a pretty Saturday. Chris and Ross wore the twins in backpacks while Anna pushed Tristan in his stroller.
It was a perfect day.


Autumn Sunshine


Babies get ready for a ride in the backpacks


Chris and Ross ready for their autumn walk


Anna and Jonas in the park


Anna and Tristan (We love our little Tristan!)




Mommy and Jonas


Daddy and Jember



Happy little ones - ready for another trip down the slide.



Ross and Jember - headin home.


Autumn colors - how I love this time of year

Autumn Greetiings

Hi everyone

First of all - thank you for your understanding and support with our decision to make our blog private. I feel better knowing that our little ol' blog here is a bit more contained.

Autumn has officially descended into the pacific northwest. This year the autumn season has been lovely - treating us all to a brilliant Indian summer. I love these days of crisp sunshine and dazzling colors emerging. We have been taking the babies out to the park every chance we get, taking long walks by the water or just sitting in the grass soaking up the delights of the season. I love autumn. And I really love sharing autumn with my little ones. In fact, when I think of the upcoming winter season - I can only think about how exciting it is to be present with the babies as they experience their first winter and their first holiday season.

Baby Updates: 8-months old now...Jonas is our little "whirling dervish". He will be crawling soon...but right now he rolls, spins, wiggles, and is moving constantly. I look down to see him rolling across the floor...then I barely blink and he has gone again. Zip zooom! He sits...he wants to stand...he loves to jump. His hair is coming in...lovely curls that are so so awesome.

Jember is less interested in zooming and zipping. She's pretty mellow...she sits...lays...and if placed on her tummy will indulge anyone watching with a bit of the "crawl" position...but really and truly is quite happy to sit and play with her toys. Her real love is babbling. Language. "Dadadadadadadada" is her newest one. Her hair is straight and soft and getting thicker all the time. She loves standing and if given an opportunity will give you a "kiss" (bring along a mop...its a pretty soggy experience!)

We've also been dealing with babies first colds...and Jonas has been healing from a recent ear infection. (Thank heavens for our wonderful pediatrician!!)

The best news is that they really have discovered each other. Their relationship is really developing. They seem to enjoy cracking each other up. Our favorite time of day around here is the evening bath. We plop those two in the tub and they just love it. They get each other laughing with their antics...splashing and making funny sounds. Their laughter is infectious. I could watch them for hours!

Here ya go. Pics from the last few weeks:

Bath Time (without hats)



Bath time ...with hats (daddy thinks he is sooo funny...)






Oops...your hat is slipping Jember...



Jember,happy in the sunshine!


Ross and Jonas hike to the grocery store


They love to play together


Happy Autumn everyone!