Why the hallway is now lined with blankets...

New neighbors moved in downstairs. First thing they asked when we met in the parking lot? Nodding towards Connor, "Did he just get new shoes?" "No..." "Video game?" "Hmm...not so much." "We were just trying to identify the source of all the thumping. We're not trying to be rude, we really are just amazed that he has that kind of energy. ALL day. [pause] Is he the only one?" Yeah...turns out we're not the only ones painfully aware that Connor has only two speeds, sleeping and full speed run. Sorry neighbors! But really, see for yourself, does he look like he can be tamed to you? "Is this really what it takes for you to let me behind the wheel?"

Connor really is a wonderful helper though. He truly loves his brother. He watches out for him, brings him toys, wants to feed him, and even cleans up when he's done.
This guy, on the other hand, would prefer you NOT feed him carrots.

All Ham

This is our resident ham of late. Most popular is the lion, bear, or monster he impersonates by growling as he crawls around on the floor in a very deliberate manner. However, last night we were privy to a showing of "Happy Feet" as he bounced, quite literally, around the apartment chanting, "jump and move and jump and move," over and over again. Today he announced that he was Bolt and proceeded to give me his impression of the "superbark". Can't help but laugh and wouldn't you if your toddler was prancing around shouting, "I capture you!" while swinging a karate belt he claims is his rope. I suppose it's to be expected. I've known for a while from which side of the family his imagination originated.

A Baby Shower

I threw a baby shower for a friend of mine who is having a girl in January. It was SO much fun to plan and organize that it made me want a little girl myself (although not any time soon). I went with a pink and brown, polka dots and ladybugs theme.

The food was easy and fun and the company was fabulous.

Here's cute Katie in all her glory. The bottom two pictures are my current sewing inspiration. Her mother made 3 stunning and adorable little dresses and a beautiful snuggly coat. The little Gill girl will be well-dressed to say the least.

Tyler

With Connor being 2 1/2 there's so much to tell of his daily "adventures" and sometimes I think Tyler gets left out because his stories aren't as "exciting" but Tyler is one of the sweetest babies I've ever seen. It's easy to catch him smiling because he's doing it all the time. He loves to snuggle and is working hard to catch up to Connor. He's extremely close to crawling and sitting up all on his own. We all LOVE Tyler to pieces, especially Connor. Couldn't be happier that he's in our family!

Why is it...

That when Mom is away it's not the kids' ideas I'm worried about but Dad's? Who knows what they do that they DON'T take pictures of.

Yes, Connor's tongue is blue...or is that green?

It's no wonder Connor always says that Daddy is his best friend. In fact they're so close that Connor has recently begun using "Carl" and "Daddy" interchangeably. We can't help but giggle every time we hear, "Car-rul, will you come play in my room Car-rul?" yelled from the across the house. It's just a phase, right?

When the sky looks like this...

There's not much else you can do when the sky looks like this...So off we went to the field behind our apartments to fly our "homemade" kite (thanks to a couple wooden dowels and some trash bags).Connor preferred collecting sticks which he held out threateningly like swords anytime you asked him what he was doing. Tyler was just excited to be outside and even more thrilled that he can ride in the stroller without the car seat now.

Thanks to Daddy for taking an afternoon off to have fun with the family!

In Record Time

I put him in his room for a nap. His M.O. of late has been to strip down and get dressed all over again. Often this includes "changing" his own diaper so when I heard his dresser drawer close just after putting him to bed I ran in. What you see below is the damage one 2 yr. old can do in just 30 seconds. What you DON'T see is Connor clapping his hands wildly excited that there isn't a single article of clothing remaining IN the dresser. I'm not sure if the fact that I'd just done laundry and put all their clothes away made it more or less amusing... :) And in other news...Tyler likes to chew on things... EVERY thing.But he sure is cute, isn't he?

Busy...

When I told Carl the other day that I needed larger containers than the boxes I had to hold my crafting and sewing supplies Carl informed me that the answer wasn't bigger or more containers it was finishing the 500 projects I'd already started. I took his challenge and have been rather busy lately. Some were new projects and some were old but lots of them are getting done!
Connor's cape (with a velcro closure)I can't take credit for designing the dragon, I found the picture online, but I did cut it out and stencil it on there myself...that's something, right?This would be my new fabulous library bag. Ok, so I didn't actually make the bag, just the ladybug (it's all felt) which I made to cover up the lame logo that was printed on the bag. The bag was a give away at some event, but now it's usuable and is the perfect size to hold all 29 books I seem to walk away with every time I go to the library. :)
Ok, she doesn't look nearly as cute as my mother in law's which is where I got the idea but overall I'd say it's a thrifty, yet cute Halloween decoration.

I have also finished a baby blanket, a table cloth, and a table runner. Next on the list: the quilt project I had planned to do for Connor BEFORE Tyler got here...oops. After that it's on to all new things. I get all tingly inside just thinking about it!

The big night!

We celebrated Halloween in a sort of medieval fashion this year. Connor was a knight complete with cape, sword, shield, "armor" and chainmail. Tyler was a dragon. The sword and shield are out of cardboard (yay for diaper boxes). I painted them silver and then stenciled a dragon and stars on the shield. I also made the tunic, "armor", chainmail, AND my proudest sewing accomplishment yet, the CAPE! What little boy doesn't thrive in a silver-lined cape.

Our sweet little dragon.

Connor's sword bent in half within 30 seconds of him holding it. He decided the vacuum attachment made a better accessory and hasn't put it down much since his discovery. He even asked to sleep with it a few nights ago.

Trick or treating was a big hit, not so much for the candy but for the running from house to house wielding his sword in a frightful manner. They learn quick about that attention thing. Connor was very pleased with all the reactions he got on his little costume. He also did a FABULOUS job of remembering to tell everyone thank you.

Best of all, he only had a handful of treats in his bucket because half the time he'd leave the front door without getting anything because he was in too big a hurry to keep up with all the other kids who were taking off for the next house.

Finally, for all those wondering: I survived Halloween without a stitch. I'm over four months without chocolate now. How's THAT for self-discipline?!

Pumpkin Power

We've been to the pumpkin patch... It was insanely bright outside so catching everyone with their eyes open was a major success. Connor loved the hay maze and trying to sit on all the pumpkins.

We've also participated in the annual tradition of carving. Connor helped design a face...sort of...

He wasn't as into getting his hands dirty with pumpkin guts as I imagined he would have been but I gave him a "scooper" and he plowed right in. He's rather fond of "tools".

Carl's Jr.?

What is it they say...? If it doesn't get all over the place it doesn't belong in your face. Tyler must know he's Carl's junior. :)

Harvest Fest

Pumpkins, games for the kids, loads of food, and lots of festivity.

We are a Happy Family

It's a song but it's also true. We DO have a happy family. Just check out the evidence below. What can I say? We're fun. ;)

Bye Grandma Mary!

Connor prays for all of his grandparents every night (of his own accord). We name one and he covers the rest. He sure misses having such adoring fans so close. :) Come again soon!

Reed's Dairy

While my mom was in town in early October, we took her to see the sites (Carl's school, a couple of our favorite parks, dream houses on the hill...) including one of our favorite discoveries, the local dairy which serves mountainous amounts of ice cream for such a good deal.

You can get a tennis ball and a half of ice cream for 75 cents. Wow!

Followed by the birthday festivities...

Conference on Saturday was followed by the arrival of my sister Allison and my Mom for a visit. We celebrated Ally's final departure from adolescence with a yummy pasta dinner (not pictured) and a mediocre apple pie (apple pie is better with fuji's). Fresh out of candles, Carl improvised and used q-tips dipped in nail polish remover taped to toothpicks. Don't worry the stench left as quickly as the flame.Connor spit out the bite of pie and declared "Ew! Gross!" (he's not a pie lover) but squealed with excitement when Carl set him up on a chair and let him help wash dishes. What great boys I have!

Weekend of Wonder

This is how General Conference played out in our house... Connor got comfy hanging out with Dad. He even fell asleep and napped there for a little while. Tyler got an upgrade in his cuisine...trying out rice cereal for the first time. I don't know, it's like he couldn't get enough.

Connor thought the inbetween picnic in our living room was amazing, particularly because it included jello.

Carl and I enjoyed two great sessions, but given the two distractions we call Connor and Tyler we can't wait to read it all in print.