Halloween In Review

For Halloween this year Matt and I got to dress up too. Since we moved into our new subdivision last year we have made lots of new friends. We absolutely love where we live and our neighbors. The majority of summer nights were spent outside hanging out once the kids went to bed and boy do the kids have some great new friends as well. I think Jacob would spend every minute outside if he could. Now that it's winter we hardly see anyone. Hoping to change that but in the meantime we enjoyed a Halloween party at our neighbors.. we were 80's rock stars!

Here are the some of the girls from the neighborhood. This group is what we call the "court crew".. LOL


Brenna and Jacob enjoyed cutting pumpkins. Actually Jacob enjoyed it for about 5 minutes and generally Brenna couldn't have cared less. But oh well, she got in the picture so we know she was there.

My cutie getting ready to go trick or treating!

Matt had to work late on Halloween so pictures are scarce. Here is a decent one of both kids. We didn't realize how "safe" Jacob's costume was until we saw the pictures.. there is no way you could have missed him!

Here is Jacob with baby Cameron on Halloween (most know but for those that don't, Cameron is our good friends and now neighbor's son and also just became our godson as well). We love baby Cameron around here. In fact, Jacob doesn't really get that he's not his brother.

Teaser

I know, I know.. I've been awful at updating this blog lately. We have had so much going on. I promise I will update this weekend but until then here are the Halloween pictures everyone e-mailed me about weeks ago. I will post more shortly as we have a lot to catch up on.. Halloween, Cardinals World Series (yes, Matt and I were at game 7), some sicknesses and setbacks from Miss Brenna and holiday prep too.

Sorry again and I promise to get better (or at least try to get better)!!

Brenna's 1st Birthday Party!!

We celebrated Brenna's birthday last weekend and we all had a blast.. except Brenna. She wasn't feeling well and we didn't really know what was going on until the next morning when 2 new teeth appeared. Either way, we did our best to celebrate her birthday in style.

Here are some pictures - obviously it was a Minnie Mouse b-day. Brenna absolutely loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She will stop everything she is doing to watch it. Jacob wasn't a tv kid at all and we never could get him interested but Brenna is the exact opposite. She loves Minnie and everything Disney... (hint hint Daddy.. i think there is a trip to Orlando in our future).

Minnie Mouse birthday cake I made for Brenna's 1st Birthday. Every year I say I'm going to buy the next one but here I go again decorating until the early morning hours..

Decided to also do a small candy bar for the bigger kids. It went over well but I have lots of leftover candy!

Matt was nice enough to get a picture of the cake, cupcakes, #1 cookies (made by Nonna) and candy bar that was made all because of our sweet baby girl!

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!


Happy Birthday Baby Brenna!!

Jacob with Bren's gift from us - a Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair. I bought this when Brenna was only weeks old. We almost forgot it was in the basement. Jacob got one for his first birthday and still loves it.

Best attempt at a family picture - Jacob wanted nothing to do with it and I have a weird expression.

Starting to not feel so well but trying to make the best of it

Really done - almost falling asleep and there is a cupcake in front of me. She didn't touch it at all and just wanted to go so sleep... so we opened presents QUICKLY!

This is my panic look - there was so many "helpers" I was starting to lose track.. And Brenna just wanted the paper everything was wrapped in.

Still losing track and trying to keep it all together.

Brenna loving the paper!

Hey, what's in that bag?

Mommy and Brenna!! Love my baby girl so much!

After this Brenna went to bed and the rest of the party-goers hung out.

Adorable picture of Jacob and "little" Matt (Tom and Lauren's son). They are 2 years apart but buddies for sure.

Thank you to all those that were able to celebrate with us. Brenna had a fantastic birthday and after a rough year we were so happy to be able to celebrate with everyone!!

Here's to a healthy 2nd year (I think I had this exact same phrase at the end of Jacob's 1st Birthday post)..

Fall Professional Pics

Here are Brenna's 12 month pictures and a few of Jacob mixed in too!

Jacob's School Picture

This was Jacob's school picture. He has been in school since the first week in August and still has drop-off issues. However, I went last week to be "parent-helper" and observed first hand Jacob's day. I could tell he has so much fun once he gets over the separation issues (which only takes a matter of seconds). We will still be sending Jacob to school and hopefully don't scar him for life in the process.

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Our October is super busy so we decided to try to fit the pumpkin patch in this weekend. We go to a local farm and the kids love it there. It's small enough for them to make it through it all but big enough that they enjoy going.

Jacob with the animals. He liked the animals much more this year.

Yes, that is my son sticking his tongue out at the animal.

Me and the kids

How big is Brenna - "SO BIG". She was loving it!

Dad and the kids

That pumpkin is almost as big as Brenna

The best shot at a picture of both of them together

This year Jacob loved the corn maze. He went through about 10 times.

While Jacob was going through the maze Brenna was still on the hunt for a pumpkin as big as her.

Brenna's 1st Birthday

Where did the last year go? I'm still not sure. Our baby was 1 on October 4th and it still doesn't seem real. Brenna has followed in her brother's footsteps and kept us on our toes but she's doing great now. We can't imagine life without our little girl. I have to say she is still such a laid-back little girl and is so sweet.

We will be having a party with all our friends and family next weekend but here's a few pics of her actual birthday.

Brenna in her #1 shirt!

Jacob wanted to hold Brenna - he was SOO excited it was her birthday

We went out for pizza and Nonna gave Brenna this Minnie doll. She LOVES it and wants to take it everywhere. Look at that grip! I love her cheeks in this picture - yes, they are just that big. So cute and chubby!!
Not wanting to let go of Minnie for anything.

First time with a cupcake or any icing. She normally doesn't like any type of solid food so I was a little nervous she wouldn't want anything to do with it.


I was WRONG! 2 seconds and it's already in her hair.

Aftermath.. still didn't eat a lot but sure did make a mess.

Happy Birthday to my baby Brenna!