Happy Halloween!

Arrr, matey! Mitch rocked the pirate attire and Shannon was a Husky cheerleader. I'm not sure which is scarier . . . a seafaring scallywag, or a skimpy-skirted gal!

A Weekend Away

Mitchell got to spend a special weekend with his grandparents in Ephrata. Thursday after school we met Grandpa and Grandma Johnson part-way and he got to spend the night with them - all by himself! 

Part of the visit at Johnsons' involved feeding Misty. He also got to play in the basement with all the toys, visit his Aunt Rachel, get new toys, go out to lunch, play some more, and bask in the glow of being the only grandchild. He loved it.

Friday evening he changed hands and went to Grama and Grampa Allstot's place. This involved a football game, visits to church, school, and a friend's farm and lots more time as the only grandchild. Needless to say, he was in heaven.

We picked him up today at our mid-way point. This involved some play on tractors, lunch, climbing hay towers, and more fun. Mitch informed us that he didn't want to come home with us. Ever. We had been missing him so, but that was not a mutual emotion, clearly!

Shannon got some playtime, too. She spent her weekend as an only child learning to sleep alone. Not popular, but certainly long overdue. She was SO happy to have her brother home. This was her first time being the only and she clearly prefers to have Mitch around to follow, pester, and observe.

Less than one week and she'll be 1 year old! Wowza!

Pumpkin Time!

Everyday we drive to work and must pass the pumpkin patch. It took Mitch probably 3 months last year to stop talking about it on each trip. Now, we're in for it again! We enjoyed another sunny visit with our friends the Warners. Hard to believe that last year Shannon wasn't helping with the outing (we were desperately hoping she would wait a few more weeks before arriving!). Mitch was a good pumpkin hunter and helped his sister learn the ropes.

We are enjoying autumn!

Cuteness

 Shannon's sporting new ruby-red slippers! She walks, dances, jumps on the mini-trampoline, and runs streaking through the living room after her bath!

Mitch and Dad built this sweet tower. Mitch told me it was a fish tunnel that brought water from under the house through the hoses and then back down the other side. "Just like the dam," he said. So impressionable! I need to use this brain-like-a-sponge thing to my advantage!

Autumn Work Weekend

We had a busy weekend around here! In an effort to eliminate cold feet and drafty winter nights, Bryan is working on getting our 50+ year-old windows replaced and putting insulation in the attic and beneath the floors. As such, he needed help. Enter my parents. My Dad and Bryan got all the insulating done, while Mom and I enjoyed kiddos. 

Shannon is a menace, so what better alter ego than a viking?

Mitch was a big helper with the blower machine. He pushed the buttons and kept asking, "Everything okay?" He was oh-so-interested in the entire process!

We went to the park for a bit of a distraction and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

We also watched the UW-UO game and Shannon broke out her cheer outfit, completed by eye protection!

She's a keeper!

One Month Shy . . .

Shannon is 11 months young!

She's feisty, opinionated, and oh-so-fair. She wants what's Mitchell's and is learning how to pout when thwarted. She climbs like a goat, loves grapes and bananas, and will soon be one year old. How can this be? At 11 months, MBJ slept through the night - alone. Not Shannon. Still, I enjoy our snuggly nights and know they will be a memory soon enough. What joy she brings! We love our small menace!