Mam mam visits and we try out Halloween costumes

Mam-mam (Brad's grandmother) came to visit this weekend and we took her to the usual spots, Stew Leonards (it's like a tourist attraction for us) and Old Wethersfield. We checked out the scarecrows that are set up and then we hit up the Nature Center's "Haunted Habitat", which is a cool little Halloween thing for the little kids. Olivia had a blast. Her bee costume is really cute, and Luke was loving his cow costume. He ran around showing it off
Thanks Ainsley!) Oh, and yes, Luke is holding a purse...he thought he could trick or treat with it.

Kitchen update

Whoo hoo! I finally uploaded the new kitchen pictures. It looks AMAZING with the new cabinets and drawer fronts and the new hardware. Like a new kitchen!

On another note, Olivia asked a boy at school to marry her today. And his mom called to tell me. Luckily it was just to laugh about it. I am afraid...she's only 3.5! What will I have to deal with later on? We set up a playdate for her and the boy (Bryson) because they send pictures home with each other after school all the time. So glad she has a friend at school!

Day 2 Magic Kingdom!

Day 2 brought us to the Magic Kingdom. We bypassed a character breakfast for the opening of the day at Magic Kingdom. The kids were super excited and ran in as soon as the doors were opened. We were amazed to get right on some rides...no lines! In fact, the only lines we waited on were for the Teacups, the cars (always a line there) and the merry go round (of all the merry go rounds Olivia has been on, this is the only one she cried to go on...)
For some reason Olivia had it in her head that she

had to go on the Dumbo ride. It was on her "list" of stuff to do! So, we waited in line for that one too...it wasn't a long line though. And they did enjoy it.
After a half a day at Magic Kingdom, we headed back to the pool where Olivia braved the water slide...twice! she loved it! That night the kids shocked us with their best behavior at the hotel dining room. Brad kept Luke busy with a glass of ice and a spoon. While Olivia colored...

Disney Day 1

First day in Disney World after an OK flight (Luke just wouldn't sit still and kept pushing the seat in front of us) we arrived at our hotel, and our room was ready (yay!!!) at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. A few animals out of our windows, but we would see many more later. We headed to the Animal Kingdom (not really that great for the little ones) for the safari and a few other things. The Dino area was a big hit with the kids. Luke was really ready for rides!

They were definitely tired when bedtime came (actually they were super tired at dinner, but we made them push through it!)

We promised them Mickey the next day...

Wild and crazy kids

I don't know what it is about October, but the kids have been wild and crazy lately. Luke discovered somersaults "flip flops" and can't stop doing them! They also jump all the time...for any reason at all! Luke is even more chatty than usual and speaks very sing-songy. Olivia is singing the songs she's been learning at school for us. It's great to know she's learning something there!

The kids were super excited to go to the "Steve Songs' concert on Monday, but come the morning of the concert, one kid has a fever and the other is sleepy! They enjoyed about 20 minutes of the concert before Olivia found it "too loud" and Luke wanted to go to sleep. We did get to enjoy about 1 hour of it (in the second row! I can't believe they quit early!!).

Halloween Project 1

Aunt Christine saw a Halloween Gingerbread house at Stew's and thought Olivia might enjoy it (boy was she right!). She was barely out of Wethersfield on her way to NJ when Olivia had it on the table and was opening it with her scissors! We did a pretty good job of putting it together!

About 2 minutes after I took this picture, Olivia pulled all the candy off and started to eat it all. She somehow thought that was her reward for all her hard work. Black lips for 2 days...

Random updates

A lot has been going on up here recently, just haven't had time to write it all up! We had a full house last week with my dad up to do some home improvement projects (new door to the garage, and new cabinet doors!) and while he was up slaving away, Christine and the girls flew out from Wisconsin to have a visit! We had a great time with all four kids in the house. We went to the corn maze at Foster Farms, and spent some time in the parking lot of the At&t wireless store (whoo hoo!). And of course, took lots of trips to Home Depot (mostly dad). Here are a few pics from the get together...I will post pictures of the kitchen soon...just have to take them!!

Not much new to report!

Christine keeps complaining that I haven't updated the blog...and since I assume there are like 4 people who even read it, I haven't been bothering. But, here you go Chris!

Not much is new here. All the rain came down and we were running around stopping leaks in various areas of the house (fireplace, basement). The Volvo is FINALLY home after almost a month at Volvo camp. Seems to be running great in the few hours that I've had it!

Olivia is doing well at school, though she seems to come home with less projects than the other kids. Her classroom doesn't seem to do cool projects like the other ones do. She came home with two smiley faces yesterday while all the other kids had glued grapes on their papers...paper grapes of course. I guess I should check in with the teacher to make sure Olivia is actually doing her crafts!

Dana and Collin came to visit last weekend which was a lot of fun. We got to catch up and the kids had a visitor. A good prequel for next week when we have a big visit from the cousins! Yay! We are looking forward to seeing Grandpa too.

Just 15 days until we leave for Disney...we're counting down! I can't wait to see how crazy they get when they see all there is to do there! I better make sure I pack extra Tylenol (for myself)! Good thing I've been working out to get ready to chase them all around the park.

I've been busy contemplating my second career these days. Still not sure (after almost 4 years) what I'm going to do next! I don't like thinking about leaving these two in someone else's hands...I would feel bad for that person!

Well, this is my update Chris, not much else going on. I got a major hair chop yesterday, and so far all my self timered pictures have come out bad. I'll have to wait for Brad to take a good one for me.