Batman, the Kitty, and the Crayon

This past weekend, the kids were able to go trick-or-treating around town at the local businesses. As with every year, there is a train ride and games for the kids to play. It was so funny to watch Brock and his wings. They are retractable, so he can pull them in with a cord and then release them. He got all of the stares with his serious Batman face and the fact that he kept hitting people with his wings. All of the kids were so cute in their costumes. Soooooo excited for the BIG trick-or-treating this weekend!
Poor Sophie was stuffed like a sausage in a casing. It was incredibly hard to fit her into her costume since the Fall Festival parade. When we got home, I cut the sides so I only have to slip it over her head for Saturday.

Ready for the train ride.
Everyone is saying, "CHEEEEEEEEESE!"The train ride to our trick-or-treating destination.

Brock's Batman face - I was unable to get it in his costume, but hopefully I can this weekend.

Sunday night, Brock went and sat with Daddy in the ground blind. This was Brock's first time hunting, and he was thrilled! Although it was an early night for the two of them, they had a really good time.
We went to the pumpkin patch with Brock's preschool on Monday. The camera decided not to function properly, so all the pics I got were on my phone.

Is this my paci?How about this?Ahhh, here it is.

Sophie Walks!

It started out as just one step last week and now has turned into two steps! I thought she was going to be an 11-month-old walker since Brock was at 9 months and Ella at 10 months. She's hangin' right in there with Sissy. Good job, Sophie!

We are under attack by Asian Lady Beetles!

They look like ladybugs, only they attack and spray smelly blood at you when you get near! Well, they don't necessarily attack you, but they attack your house, and when you try to get them, they leave their smelly blood trail. Ew! We get them every year on the south side of our house. We had so many, I decided to make a pie out of them...
Do you think a Asian Lady Beetle pie would go over very well on Thanksgiving? Probably not.

We made our first apple pie of the baking season, and since pies are only good for a couple days after they're baked, I made sure it didn't go to waste. I really don't know if it's possible for me to bake something and give it away. I have to make sure it tastes okay, and then I can't leave any jaggedy edges. =)

We are starting to give the kids allowance for the chores they do, so I marked on our calendar that every Friday the kids will get their allowance. Brock woke up one morning, scooched the chair over to the fridge, and drew circles all over the calendar. He said that the circles were the days that they get allowance. I knew kids were expensive, but did we get the most expensive ones?

Ella and I having a "water" party. Silly girls!

Picture by EllaBrock feeding Sophie like a dog.
"Here, Sophie! You love macaroni and cheese, don't you?"

Box City

Jingle Bells!

On Friday, we finally turned on our furnace. Chad had to twist my arm to turn it on because, for some reason, I thought 60 degrees didn't feel too bad with a few sweatshirts on. =)
We have officially kicked off the baking season. Yummy cinnamon and sugar cookies!

When our children woke us up at 6:00 Saturday morning to tell us that it snowed, I couldn't believe it! I swore, by the excitement from the kids, that it was Christmas morning. I contemplated setting up the Christmas tree, got the okay from Chad, but couldn't go through with it. I think we'll wait until November. Turns out we skipped fall and went right into winter.
After Sunday breakfast, the kids were eager to play in the snow, so they got bundled up and headed outside. They made it just outside the door when they dropped like flies on the deck and began to make snow angels.

What's a snowy day without hot cocoa?

Making pumpkins. I tried separating Brock and Ella so they didn't kill each other. It turns out that they can still fight and annoy each other from across the table. *sigh*
Where's Sophie?

Hiding under the table eating paper.

The kids' cousin, Annah, had a birthday party on Sunday that we all went to. It was a Dora themed party, and Annah was the cutest Birthday Girl ever! Happy Birthday, Annah!

Looking for deer on the way home. We saw a lot!

Random Sophie pics

Look at my teeth!

Beware of the Piranha

Brock's preschool took a field trip to the fire station on Monday. They learned about fire safety, witnessed what a fire would be like with the simulator, and got to take a ride in the fire truck on the way back to preschool. The girls and I had to leave before the field trip was over, but Brock had a great time and really enjoyed the firefighters.

Brock and his preschool friendsBrock answering questions for the firefighter

Inside the ambulance

Sophie has tooth #2! She tries to bite everything and has gotten our fingers a couple of times. She has yet to draw blood, but it's been pretty close.

With her first birthday approaching, it was time to get Sophie's ears pierced (as we did with Ella). She did GREAT, not to mention that the lady that did the piercing was awesome!

Ella does the most random things. Wonder where she gets that...

Miss Sophie

Sophie had her 9 month check up a few weeks ago, and I just realized that it's not on here. She also got her first tooth! I can't believe how much she is growing and changing!
Height: 28 7/8" (86%)
Weight: 18 lbs 10 oz (42%)
Head: 17 3/4 (75-90%)

"I'm gonna get Sissy's paperwork." "Got it!""Oops.""Ha, ha!"Self explanatory.