Halloween Fun

We had such a fun Halloween this year.  One of the best thing about having kids is rediscovering fun traditions and celebrations as you see it through their eyes.  Maya had a great time picking out a "punkin", she chose her own costume and was so excited that people gave out chocolate when she said Trick or Treat.

We started things out with a trip to the pumpkin patch on a beautiful fall day -

Heading out to the pumpkin patch.

Searching for the perfect pumpkin.

Pictures of the two of them together is near impossible!

 Hanging out at the fire pit with the family.

Then we carved pumpkins with Grandma and Grandpa Sarion and Uncle Roy -

A rare picture of the four of us.

Laurel was not impressed.

Once again, Maya wanted nothing to do with scooping out the guts, but here she is helping Daddy design the perfect "scary punkin".

Next came the Halloween parties and trick or treating - 

Our little rocket ship.  In the weeks before Halloween, Maya declared that she wanted to be a rocket ship (we have no idea where she came up with the idea).  No amount of convincing on my part would change her mind (I was not too keen on piecing together a rocket ship costume).  Luckily for her, Target had one all made and ready to go.  She LOVED it and I sure couldn't have made anything better.  She received a whole lot of compliments, although most people thought she was a boy!

Our little lion.

 The little cousins.  Clara had strong feelings about being a peapod and Callie needs to work on her hunting skills - the lion confiscated her bow in no time and started chomping on it.  Cute none-the-less.

First Haircut!



Poor thing

Laurel came down with pneumonia and a double ear infection this week.  She was pretty miserable and we spent a lot of time cuddling on the couch.  Luckily she is doing much better since we started the antibiotics and is quickly become her happy, smiley self. 



Love...

When Laurel is crying, Maya has started to comfort her by standing close and telling her, "It's Ok, Mommy's coming, Baby Laurel, Mommy's coming". 

Such a big heart.

6 Months!!

Six months old.  Craziness.  She is now 15lb 2 oz and staying right at 50%.  She is a good eater, I just wish she would eat more in the daytime hours and a little less in the middle of the night.  She seems to eat just enough at daycare to keep away the hunger and waits for me to fill up.  I'm tired. 

Sticking her tongue out at her sister who was trying to get her to laugh :-)

- We started rice cereal two weekends ago and she loves it.  She's also had sweet potatoes, carrots and pears.  She sits with us at the dinner table and is so happy to be a part of the whole routine.  Every bite she lets out a very happy "mmmm".  Even Maya helps out and gives her a couple spoonfuls throughout the meal.

- She has mastered sitting unsupported and really enjoys the upright world.  It is much easier to watch her big sister from the sitting position!

- She has started figuring out the army crawl and scoots herself all over the place.  Between that and the rolling, she rarely stays in one place.

- She has been in daycare for two months now and is doing great.  She gets lots of extra snuggles from one of her teachers because she reminds Miss Mary of her own children who are now grown. 

Huskies!

We scored four free tickets to the Husky game yesterday and decided we had nothing to lose and would attempt it with both kids.  We did a little tailgating before the game and then headed in.  Maya made it until half time at which point she declared that she was tired and it was time to go home.  She had a fun time watching the players through her binoculars, clapping and cheering for the team and loved that the whole family was wearing their purple Husky shirts.  Laurel slept through most of it :-)

Maya was even shown on the jumbo-tron for the whole stadium to see!

As fun as it was, I think we will opt for a babysitter next time.  If for no other reason than to avoid the frequent bathroom trips that come along with a newly potty trained toddler.  That was a bit exhausting!

The Puyallup Fair

Last weekend Maya and Bennett were invited to spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  They had a GREAT time.  And Laurel got to spend some quality time with us all by herself.  Then on Sunday, the entire Knowles clan met at the Puyallup Fair for an afternoon of fun.  It was a great weekend over all.

Grandma and Grandpa set up the tent so they could have an indoor campout.

Trying out the firefighter equipment at the fair.

Testing out the tractors.

The only ride Maya was able to go on... sadly is is too short for most of them and this was not a fun reality for her to face.  She was a trooper though and we were able to find a petting zoo to keep her happy.

Riding the carousel.  Last time she refused because the horses were, "too big".  This time she loved it!