Then the rain came

I've stolen a few moments to update this blog, at the request of just about everyone :) I love reading through the old entries, so much changes so quickly, and I want to be able to remember as much as possible...here is a quick entry with a few random pictures.

We came back from a weekend with Granna and Papa seeing Thomas. These kids are becoming road warriors. This was the first weekend that we turned Ella's carseat around. It was a whole new world for her. It was almost like she was thinking, "OH THERE YOU ARE!!" I was wondering. And she talked the ENTIRE time. Haha. Justin and I joked, "Ella-girl, we going to turn your car seat back around." She was such a chatter bug because she could finally see in front of her and into the front seat. She asked us about everything, wanted our drinks, etc. Super funny.

This is an image from my childhood, minus the touch screen navigation. AC cooling fries was a way of life, and pretty genius. We only had one casualty. Thankfully, and disgustingly, french fries don't breakdown (or it happens at such a slow pace) that it's likely we'll sell the care before we ever get a smell :)

And every Monday, since Justin is in school that evening until 9. We have play dates and dinner with the neighbors. It is great for the mommies too! Some evenings are more challenging than others and it's a lot to come home after a long case of the Mondays and try to cook and clean for company but it is well worth it! These kids are so funny together!

Haha, funny Emma!!

 Per her mom, Meghan, "My child is the reason they put those warnings on bags about suffocation." Haha!

And the kids still love the aquarium. They go at least once a week! They are fearless and touch everything!! EEK!

Then, the rain came. :( The thousand year flood. Rather than build an ark, I took the Southern approach and bought milk and bread. I was ready for whatever came. Unfortunately, that was a lot of water. It flooded homes and communities, destroyed roads, and there were several related fatalities. A horrible situation and I'm so thankful our home was spared.

We stayed bundled up...

 Splashed in puddles...

 And got in the Halloween spirits...making a graveyard cake...

Watching Halloween movies (mainly the nightmare before Christmas)

And went to Target to scope out the Halloween costumes. Jack said pretty early on that he wanted to be an alligator or "alley-day-tor" as he says it. There is a kid in a Fischer Price: Little People book that was dressed as an alligator and so the idea was hatched. I had been hoping for Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, but what can you do? It's his Halloween.

More Target fun. So glad it's close to home!

And finally, a little Oprah humor.

 But seriously, how cute are these kids?!?

 But the sun did soon return, and a coworker and I celebrated the first "perfect fall day" by going out to lunch at Fleets Landing. The view is beautiful and the dolphins never disappoint!