Why else do people have kids if not to put them to work.
Fall in Ohio is always one of my favorite times. Although this year, here in Cleveland, it is a little colder than I'm used to, which I feel has somewhat limited our fall adventures. But despite the cold it is so amazingly gorgeous here! The trees in the last few days have been unbelievable and WE (me included) have been getting really excited for Halloween. 
Conference weekend I was lucky enough to see two of my really good friends. Trisha came out for a visit from the rocky mountains and Melanie drove down from Buffalo. (Julia you would've made my life complete) Anyways we had a fabulous weekend. We went to beautiful Kirtland to see the sites and then just hung out the rest of the time like old times, laughing and reminiscing til 2 am. It was soooo fun and I've been wishing ever since that I could get together with all my favorite girls more often. Thanks again for coming ladies..... it was much needed :)
Ethan started soccer a few weeks ago and it has been so fun to go to his games. He is on a team with all of his friends and he just goofs around and has so much fun.
At his first game he pretty much ran around tackling/pushing kids over, even when the ball was at the other end of the field. When I asked him about it he said "cause I've gotta get the other team." So we had a talk about how in soccer you just kick the ball with your feet. Well for the last few weeks everyday Ethan has wanted to "practice" in the back yard. So we have been playing a lot of soccer, and it was so great to see the difference.
Today in his game he actually went after the ball and not the other players. He was pretty good in the first half and scored 3 goals. The second half he was too tired so for part of the time he just sat on the ground. But I was so proud of my little soccer stud. It is seriously so funny to watch these kids run around and have fun.
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Half-time
This one is of him yelling at the other player for holding the ball. He was telling him that he can't touch it with his hands..... only feet!!
We went apple picking with the kids last weekend. It was a gorgeous day and we came home with LOTS & LOTS of yummy apples.
Ethan did the picking & Molly did the eating.
I Love FALL!!!
Last weekend we went on a fun little family get-a-way to CHICAGO. Why Chicago? Well cause that's were we got a hotel, and it's only a 6 hour drive. We stayed with some friends that live just outside of the city on Sat and they were so nice to let us crash. On Sunday we headed into the city. Our hotel was right on the lake, which made it very convenient since we pretty much walked everywhere (to save on ridiculous parking charges.)
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Rode the ferris wheel at Navy Pier.
The kids were soooo good on the drive. We had a few meltdowns while in Chicago, but for the most part it was a fabulous trip. We all had so much fun and E has asked everyday since when we are going back! 2.jpg)
Thanks Chicago for such a great vacation.
We saw this "office mobile" dirving around the streets of chicago. It had talking and moving parts and it brought a smile to my face to know that my favorite show is back!!!!
These were not just any babies though. These were all my old babies from when I was little that my mom had saved for me. She thought they would get some good use at my house rather than in her storage. They were a little dirty and a few looked kind-of creepy but we got them all washed up and ready for LOTS of slobber kisses.
The box was also full of doll clothes, half of which my mom sewed herself when I was little, also blankets and a cloth bassinet that was made by my mom too! It brought back so many memories.
This is a picture of me with one of the dolls that is now Molly's. I got her on Christmas and my mom always talks about how that was her most favorite Christmas. (if you notice in the picture me and the cabbage patch are matching.... so cute!)
My favorite thing I found in the package were the matching aprons that my mom made for the two of us. There is a really cute picture of me making cookies in this apron when I was little but I couldn't find it. But I got really excited when I saw this cause I LOVED this apron. I always felt so special when I got to wear it and help in the kitchen.
Ethan had fun helping us pull everything out of the box and was happy when he found something he could claim as his own. We named him fuzzy blue and he thinks his crazy hair is pretty funny. He was a little confused and asked me why HE was wearing "girl pajamas"? Good question? He said "Boys don't wear pink pajamas!" Maybe I can dye them. But we all had a fun afternoon playing with all the new babies.
Anyways it was a perfect day!!!! We had great weather, the kids had a blast running around on the grass and watching all the planes, and it felt like we had front row seats to the show without having to pay for them (minus what we paid to park)
The kids loved seeing all the cool airplanes, jets, helicopters, sky divers, etc. Ethan was really into it and loved every min. of it. He was especially happy that it wasn't "too loud" like the trucks at the Monster truck rally....... 
......that is until the "BLUE ANGLES" showed up to preform at the end of the show.
At first he just covered his ears. Then after a little while I looked around and couldn't find him ANYWHERE. I almost got to the point of freaking out when I spotted something under a chair.
And this is how he remained until it was over. At least when it was time to leave we didn't have to fight about it! He was more than willing. For everyone else that actually watched the "Blue Angles", they were really cool. Maybe next year he will like it more?
Ethan started pre-school this week and we were both SOOO excited about it!!!! It is wonderful. He LOVES it, his teacher is AWESOME, and he is friends with ALL the kids in the class. He is already learning so much and it's just the first week.
Molly was even excited on the first day.
I Love this picture above, she looks like she is reading to E.
These are some of Ethan's friends at school. It is going to be a great year!
