Boo!!

Our neighborhood is really into "Boo'ing" the month of October.  The kids make goody bags and leave them on friends/neighbors doorsteps with a sign saying "You've Been Boo'd", ring the doorbell and run.  So fun!  Tate got boo'd twice this week so we decided to carry it on and make our own goody bags.  Tate chose three friends - Jackson, Kendall and Charlie (and sister Marlo) and last night we went out to "Boo".  Tate had the best time sneaking up to houses and running, he giggled his booty off and every time we got back in the car he said, "we got em".  Can't wait to do this again next year!

Cute neighbors left this on our door.

Going out to Boo!

Jackson's house first

Our goody bags

Had to get some extra glasses for us!

Afternoon Walk to the Park

Pumpkin Patch

Today was our annual trip to Fall City Farms!  The farm is so cute - 23 acres of land, pumpkins, squash, animals, tractor rides, hot cider  and fresh mini donuts.  It was our fourth year in a row visiting and we were disappointed to learn it would be their last year open to the public.  Apparently the owners have been opening their pumpkin patch to the fall for 30 years but decided to retire.  The weather was crazy, it was chilly in the morning so we dressed in our usual pumpkin patch attire, down vests, jeans, boots etc.  By 11:30 we were sweating and came home and changed into shorts...72 in October - amazing!   Aunt Kate came to join us for the second year in a row and Tate's favorite part was again the tractor ride.

This way to pumpkins guys!

Aunt Kate love.

Tractor ride...Tate's favorite!

Yes, can't can't stop pestering his brother for 2 seconds to take a picture...

Sunday Family Fun Day

We headed to Remlinger Farms this morning for a day of family fun!  This was daddy's very first time going, it usually is a mommy/son week-day trip and Tate was so excited to show daddy everything.  We got there as soon as the gates opened, and did just about everything including lunch in two hours...very fun morning!

Four Months

Weighing it at 13 pounds, 2 ounces (50th percentile for height and 25th percentile for weight) Cole turned four months old this week!  He is a healthy guy except for a bad case of cradle cap that has been going on for over a month.  He has recently lost a ton of his hair just on top, so he has a bit of a receding hair look going on.  Most nights he only wakes up once to eat but he sometimes he wakes up twice.  For some reason it is much easier this time around since I understand it is really a stage and it will end.  He started to giggle about two weeks ago and is still so easy going.  We love him so much!

At Last!

This post is about a month late but...we've been busy. :)  Tate has been so very close for so very long but finally, we are proud to announce we have a 100% potty trained child.  Not a single accident in over two months.  He was so close all spring but his preschool teachers kept telling me not to push it before the baby arrived, and they were right.  We had a few set-backs after Cole arrived and we had a feeling Tate knew what he was doing.  So we brought in the "Potty Chart".  Every day he didn't have an accident he got a sticker and after 30 days with no accidents he gets to pick out a new toy!  Would you believe he was potty trained after the 30 days was up?  He chose a Bruder tractor for his reward.

Look at his feet!  This boy is not afraid to get dirty...to say the least!

Things are looking up...

Tate still loves to pester his brother every chance he gets and drive his mommy nuts, but I am starting to catch some sweet moments between them.  Cole, defiantly knows who is brother is and always gets a HUGE smile on his face when he sees him walk into the room, or when he turns and sees Tate in the car seat next to him...it is pretty sweet.  And every once in a while...when I'm not looking...I catch Tate being gentle and loving to him too.  

Back to School

Today was the first day of school back at Country Junction!  This year Tate will be attending 3 afternoon classes per week.  I have been very excited for school to start as I think everyone in this family benefits from a routine so it's nice to be back on a schedule!

Tate was so excited getting ready.  When we got to school he got a little nervous.  It was obvious he noticed right away that some of his favorite buddies from last year would not be in his class again (they went straight to pre-K as they were all quite a bit older).  But after a few minutes hanging on my leg he jumped right in and joined the others.

I was also really excited for Tate for a little break and for some one on one time with Cole.  But then I came home and did a side by side comparison of last years first day of school picture and this year I did get a little sad.  WOW!  It is amazing how much he has grown this year.  

It used to be I couldn't get a picture.  Well now I can get a picture...just not a serious one. :)

First day Sept 2010, First day Sept 2011

Three Months

Three months old and Cole continues to get cuter and cuter!  I swear if he is not sleeping...he is smiling!    So far he is such a laid back happy little guy.  He's had a few great nights of sleeping 9:00pm - 5:00am (and of course on the weekends when his dad graciously volunteers to get up with him throughout the night) but this week is back to waking at 11:45, 3:30 and by 6:00.  I am exhausted but it does seem a little easier this time as I know it will end...someday right?