Hey There Little Red Riding Hood

The day after Halloween last year, I already decided what Lyla would be this year!   In case you didn't know, I am a planner.  Luckily, I have a Grandma who is a wizard with a sewing machine and she helped me create the cutest Little Red Riding Hood, ever.   At least in my humble opinion.   We started the day visiting our friends at Homewood Disposal and went over to Mimi and Pop's for a quick nap before all the fun began.   It was a pretty chilly day so we only made it trick or treating to three houses (and only ONE answered the door).   But the best fun was had watching Lyla pass out candy to all the little kids that knocked on our door.   She was so stinkin' cute!   Of course, she gave candy to the other kids, and then candy to herself!  I never was able to get a really good picture of the costume, but here is the best I could do.

Checking out the older kids.

This lasted about ten minutes.
 

Waiting for more kids to come knocking!

Candy break.

Watching more kids!

Best pic I could get of the outfit.

Come on, this kid is cute!

She had a little taste of each flavor!

Chaos at the Zoo

Because we just didn't do enough fall festivities, we decided to check out Boo at the Zoo for the first time ever.   We had a big group that including seven adults and nine children!  The day was completely chaotic and exhausting,  most of it being spent on potty breaks, diaper changes and snack time.   Most of us spent the car ride home questioning why we attempted this in the first place.   When we got home and I looked at the pictures.  I realized why we did it; the kids had SO much fun.   I already know we'll be going back again soon!   Here are some of the fun pics we got from the day!

Quinn's first time at the zoo.

While things are still calm.

Love this one.  First of many, I am sure!

This girl loves her Daddy.

Two weeks old and already Penelope has her first trip to the zoo!

Our group trying to figure out where to go next!

Fifteen minutes after arrival, Jen gets peed on by Quinn.

Pointing out one of the first animals she could say, "duck".

How many people does it take to work a baby carrier?

Little Beauties.

Running in the leaves at snack time.

Halloween Party with the Cousies

Just in time for Halloween, cousin Jennie hosted a party for all the little cousies to get together to play.   The day started at the Orchard so we could get some pumpkins and of course, those famous donuts.  Jen went all out and decorated her house, had little goodie bags for each of the kids and even set up a carving station to carve pumpkins.   We later decided to skip the carving because the day was chaotic enough without five children weilding carving knives.  The kids had a ton of fun playing together and even threw their own dance party which was hysterical to watch!

Me and my girl.

Quinny giving Ly dirty looks. 

It was a good idea....maybe next year.

Pin the tail on the cat.  Look how close she is!

Goofy Mama.

Checking out all of her loot!

Pumpkin Patch, revisited

It what appears to be the start of a fall family tradition, we hit up the pumpkin patch again this year with Mimi and Pop. We lucked out and had yet another beautiful fall day! This year, Lyla was a bit more entertaining since she was able to run around, play in the corn, check out the animals and best of all, jump on the giant "pillow".   I am actually not sure who had more fun on that pillow though, Lyla or Mom, Dad and Pop.  At first we started out hopping just enough that Lyla would bounce around a little bit.  Before we knew it, Pop and and Daddy we flying high in the sky while Mommy and Lyla lost out balanced and flopped around like a bunch of fish.   We did have to call it quits when Mommy was sweating and Lyla ended up bouncing almost comletely off the pillow before Daddy caught her.  Mimi couldn't watch.   We can't wait for next year!

   

Sick Days

After all the fun we had this summer, it was bound to happen.  Everyone got sick.  Of course, Lyla got the worst of it.  The frustrating part was that we knew what Eric and I had.  A cold.  We had all the symptoms.  Lyla, however, sent us on a wild goose chase (reminiscent of our Rosela days).  Out of nowhere her temp spiked to 103.   Over the next few days it even crept up to 104.    But that was her only ailment.  So, once again, we headed to the doctor to figure it out. 

I was still so sick myself that my dad made the trip with us.  Of course we ruled out Roseola since it is a one time thing.  We ruled out strep throat.  That left us with one option, UTI.   Ok been there, done that.  Nope.  In order to get a really good sample this time, they had to put in a catheter.  In my 20 month old.  At this point, I think Pop had to sit down.   Luckily it was over in a split second and there weren't too many tears.  Though a few did come from me.

A day later the results were in...not a UTI.  Must be something viral. That was the diagnosis, must be something viral. Wait it out. 

So we did and eventually we all felt better. While he wished it was on better terms, Pop got in some quality cuddle time.

Playing tea party while we waited at the doctor.

This trip deserved a sucker!

Watching Bubble Gupps with Pop.

Bubble Gupps

So just like every first time mom-to-be, I was delusional enough to think that I would never let my child watch TV.   It wasn't long before I changed my tune.  I mean, how else would I get dishes done or laundry folded?  Sure, I don't let her sit there all day, but sometimes a little Nickelodeon can be mom's best friend.   

For the most part, she was only a little interested.  It would hold her attention for a few seconds at a time.  But that all changed with two words, Bubble Guppies.  All hail the Bubble Guppies.  About a week before we left for Lake Geneva this cute little show about a bunch of little fish came on the tv. My child went bonkers.  Hands in the air.  Jumping up and down.  Screaming.  By the time we got back from vacation, about ten episodes had been recorded on our DVR.   Every single day since, she asks to watch 'Bubble Gupps' or "Bubble Ducks" as she often calls it. 

Eric and I are now those parents who know every character and can sing every song on the show. Every. Freakin. Song.

Does this make me a bad mom?

Lake Geneva

This summer we were luckily enough to go on our first family vacation in eons. It isn't often that Eric can get a week in the summer off from work but it finally happened (12 years later) so we took advantage. My parents took us on a great four day trip to Lake Geneva. Not too far, not too close.  It was perfect.


This is how she spent most of the trip.  She was a trooper..until the last day.  She finally had it.

We did lots of this on our trip.  

She spent most of our meals on Mimi's lap.

Best picture so far!

This place had the best burgers. I can't stop thinking about them.

Not really sure what is happening here.

Dad and Eric tried to get in a game of golf.  Mother Nature made them quit at 9 holes.

Lots of kisses.

We made good use of the indoor pool while the weather was junk.

Floating with Daddy.

Dinner at Gino's.  Not sure how we let Eric pick.

This is where the "lippy" obsession started.

After dinner stroll.

More strollin'

Finally the weather cooperated and we had snacks at the pool.

Scaring Mimi when Mimi couldn't find her.

Mimi forgave her.

Homemade ice cream.  Delish.

So glad we got this on camera.  Not really.

Every house got bigger.  We starting making up stories about what these people did for a living.

Mimi and Pop got to see bed head!

This pretty much sums up the entire trip.

Pop and Ly in the baby pool.

Here she is again, trapped in the stroller.

My attempt at another family photo.

Pop is the best story teller!

He even makes up his own words.

Goodbye Lake Geneva!