Meet Baby Dylan

Three weeks ago my sister gave birth to her first son, Dylan.  While we were standing in the kitchen talking about his cuteness Brandon asked me if I wanted to go visit him and my sister.  He offered to take a few days off work and stay home with the kids so that we could make it happen.  Ladies, I've learned a few things in my 31 years of life, and when your husband makes an offer like that you immediately take him up on it before he changes his mind (and I did)!

This past weekend I spent all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday hanging out with my sister, her husband-- Mike, my new precious nephew, and their awesome dog- Brody while Brandon and the kids had way too much fun by themselves.

It was so fun to totally relax.  I, literally, did nothing other than hold Baby D, go for a few runs on the beach with Brody, and out to lunch with my siblings (we had to check out Mike's new restaurant).  Oh, and I might have made a trip to Trader Joe's...I'm not confessing what I bought (it might or might not have included a box of peppermint jo-jos).  It was soooooo wonderful.  Of course, I missed my kids terribly-- thank goodness for Facetime!

Baby D is a golden baby.  He sleeps, eats, poops, and has us all wrapped around his teeny tiny finger.  I am amazed at how sweet and easy going he is.  Kandace and Mike have it good.  Oh, and he's quite handsome. He has an adorable little dimple and a giant head of hair!  Seriously, this kid is going to need a haircut in a few weeks. lol

I'm so glad that I got to meet him and spend time with my family.  And a big shout out of thanks to my husband for making it happen-- you're the best, baby.

Happening Lately

October/November is flying by around here!  I can hardly believe that 2013 is coming to an so rapidly.  We've been busy lately with the same 'ol stuff-- school, the quilting shop, working out, painting (or I wish I was busy painting-- I still need to finish touching up the baseboards and window trim on the main floor), but I wanted to take a minute and document some of the happenings of late.

Ruby's First Primary Program:
Last Sunday Ruby participated in her first primary program.  She had her part memorized,--"Praying is like opening a door to Heavenly Father."--for weeks, but got a little shy when it was her turn to speak into the microphone and let the primary president whisper it into her ear.

She was also something of a diva through out the program.  She really wanted crackers, but I wouldn't let her leave the stand to have a snack, so she was super wiggly and grumpy.  Looking back, I should have just let her leave for a second and have a snack.  I should have known better, divas don't perform on empty stomachs! lol

Pumping iron:
I'm just finishing up a 90 day fitness challenge.  Originally I started out wanting to loose weight, but a few weeks in my goal shifted toward increasing my muscle mass,; so my girlfriend (who runs the challenge) got me involved in weight lifting.   I've been doing 2 upper body weight lifting work outs, 2 lower body weight lifting work outs, and 2 group exercise classes a week; and I'm loving it!  I recently fit into a favorite skirt I used to wear when I was in high school.  It was a little snug, but it fit!  Progress, folks, progress...

 Two-some:
These two love playing together.  They love to color, play hide and seek, pretend to be pirates or princesses, and bake in their play kitchen.  Wyatt even likes to wear Ruby's princess dresses.  Actually, he just likes her Snow White dress, but I guess that's the risk you run when you're the little brother to a very girly big sis.  Today I wish I had taken a picture of him-- he was sitting at his work bench pounding away with tools in a princess dress up.  It was a total Kodak moment!

Scout's favorite seat in the car:
The past few times that we've taken Scout with us in the car he shocked us by voluntarily jumping up on Ruby's lap.  She loves it!  I think he just wants a place to be warm (or is looking for refuge from Wyatt).  At any rate, it's pretty funny.

 Modeling:
Ruby got called back for another modeling session.  As always, she had lots of fun.  We were in such a hurry that Wyatt came with us.  Everyone was taken by his hair and eye color and suggested that he do a bit of modeling himself next year.  Since they get paid in store credit I'm wondering just where I'm going to put all these dress ups?  But, clearly, boy dress ups are in demand around here... lol

 Buddy Boy:
Wyatt's best friend is Breck.  While his sister and Ruby are at dance class on Tuesdays we always get together for a little play date.  Wyatt REALLY looks forward to these play dates.  Sometimes he just talks to me about Breck.  I kind of adore how nicely they play together and the fact that Breck encourages him to eat carrots.

Wyatt and I have also been taking a Mommy and me swim class at the gym once a week while Ruby is in preschool.  When we first started a few months ago he was really hesitant to let go of my neck.  Now he looks forward to class.  "Mommy, us, pool!"  He loves diving for swim rings, playing games, jumping in, and floating on his back.  He's becoming very courageous in the water.  I think he'll be ready to swim sooner than Ruby was.

Halloween

I love Halloween.  Growing up it was my mom's favorite holiday of the year.  She'd make us elaborate costumes, paint spooky Halloween creatures on my nails, decorate like crazy, and have big 'ol parties.   I don't get THAT into it, but I do love it.  The kids always help me put out our vintage decorations early on in October.

And I really enjoy getting costumes together for everyone (including the dog).  I especially like it when they let me choose themed costumes, but Ruby had other plans this year...  We ended up with a football player, a ruffere, and a black cat.  At the last minute I donned a witch costume (so I could be Ruby's witch) and Brandon put together a cowboy costume, per the kid's request.

I also love our little spooky dinner tradition.  This year we had blood soup with spider webs (tomato soup with yogurt "spider webs"), grilled cheese cut into Halloween shapes, honeydew bats, and mini mummy pizzas.

And I get a huge kick out of trick-or-treating.  It's so fun to see the littles run from door to door all dressed up.  This year we took the kids out with our little neighborhood friends-- Sera, Breck, Eve (and their parents, of course).  It was kind of a lot of walking for our little football star.  Let's just say there was lots of crying and carrying between houses.  I guess it was a mistake to leave the wagon behind...lol  It was still lots of fun anyway.  Eventually the kids got so much candy that they asked us to carry their pails because they were too heavy.  Rough life, right?

Before we hit the streets this year Grandma and Grandpa Linford even stopped by to join our spooky dinner and take some pictures.  So glad they did.  Halloween is always more fun with family.  Last year we celebrated with Aunt Chelsea and Cousin Katie.  This year after we put the kids to bed Brandon and I had to watch a scary movie all by ourselves (insert sad face here).