Autumn is here! Right?

Quick side note: Audrey developed a big interest in the potty this month. Not sure when she'll officialy be "potty trained" but we've had lots of successful potty experiences - so proud of her! We're just following her lead. If we had our choice we wouldn't have brought out the potty until 2011... but if she wants to do it now I guess that's cool with us.

It has been crazy warm here these past couple of weeks... 70 degrees & sunny! The funny part is that I sort of enjoy Autumn's crisper temps which we haven't gotten much of... but I can't complain.

Some of the fun stuff we've enjoyed: pumpkin picking, daytrip to Door County, apple orchard field trip with school & lots of playing outside in the neighborhood!

Welcome Lyla!

We recently made a roadtrip to Kansas City to visit Colleen, Greg, Greyson & new baby Lyla!

Sadly, Ian got really sick so he & daddy had to stay home. On the bright side, Ian gets to FLY there with mommy next week... stay tuned for that post!

Here she is & she is just gorgeous :)
Grandma & Grandpa snuggling the youngest grandchild.

Audrey also got to play with her adorable cousin Jonah - he is the happiest baby you'll ever meet!

and here's handsome big brother Jameson... Mr. Smiley Pants

Audrey filled in for Ian by playing with cutie pie Greyson. They were a blast to watch... being sweet...

playing...

and being SILLY!

Audrey had some fun tubbies with her cousins. She & Jonah have the same size heads & similar hair... so inspite of the year age difference they sort of looked like twins.

Audrey's gonna pose while Greyson has a snack...

A brief, rare gathering of the clan. So happy Audrey got to meet Lyla & play with her aunts, uncles & cousins. Same time next year?

School & some other tid-bits

Here's our bashful schoolboy with his teacher on his 1st day of preschool.

He loves it!

It seems the "Toy Story" bug has bitten Audrey too. She especially adores Woody, Jesse & Bullseye. She now sleeps regularly with a soft Woody doll and Bullseye. Here's a photo of what we resorted to one night to get her to sleep. She curled up tight with Ian's dolls :)

It's so cute to hear her blossoming vocabulary include her beloved toys. She's slowly growing strawberry blonde hair, talks a blue streak & says full sentences now like, "Give it back Ian!"

Interesting thing about 4 year old's...

I watched Ian very carefully draw this picture on his friend's birthday card. He was very pleased with himself when it was done. I praised his good work & then he said, "Finished!" with a huge smile as he proceeded to turn the card upside down.

This is the image that was revealed:

He said it's him in his new Buzz Lightyear costume (note the helmet), holding hands with his friend in a Woody costume (note the cowboy hat) Hee hee. I see it! I guess it's common for kids to draw upside down - fascinating!

Big Buzz Birthday Bash!

My baby is a big 4 year old boy!

4 glowing candles to go along with that big grin!
Grandpa showing Audrey the noise-makers

This cake is YUMMY!

check out what he wanted to eat... poor Buzz

The birthday crew minus one straggler

9 kids = 9 times the fun!!

Cousins Hannah & Andrew were Ian's guests of honor.

He just asked if they would for sure be here when he turns 5 :)

The lovely "kitchen gang" (Jane, Chris, Jody & Carol) made all the food, helped with the kids & made the day extra special for Ian!

Aaaah... The smile of a successful birthday bash... Ian sure is a lucky boy!

Thank you everyone who was here to celebrate & all our loved ones who shared our joy across the miles. We love you!

Two of a Kind

We think these cuties kinda look alike :)

Here's a newly discovered photo of daddy as a little boy... we've seen that look before!

You've Got a Friend In Me

Ian is obsessed with the Toy Story characters and even more so now that the new movie came out!

We bought him "Jesse" and "Buzz" to go along with his "Woody," wrapped them & put them aside for his birthday next month. However, we couldn't wait until then to unveil Buzz. We got the moment on video & it was priceless. Now it's adorable to see Ian (and the 5 neighbor boys) running through the yards with their Buzz's & Woody's.

Buzz & Woody (and Brownie) have enjoyed many nights with Ian,
Outings,

and meals! A boy & his treasured, beloved toys... too cute!

Happy 4th!

"Oooohh! My first sucker!"

"Yum!"
Here's Ian at the parade giving his best smile & wave in the hopes of getting some candy thrown his way. Sadly we were towards the end so a lot of the floats had run out of candy by this point!

...and I caught Ian giving his little sister a big kiss - awe!

It was a great weekend of celebrating - but it was HOT! We appreciated the sunny, blue skies though & enjoyed a couple of cookouts with friends along with 3 full days of family fun. We were hoping for a nice family pic in our red, white & blue but the kids were too hot to cooperate :) Can't say I blame them!