The Rest of October...

Sorry I have been on hiatus from posting! Here are some highlights from the end of October.

Pumpkin carving: Dylan wanted nothing to do with the pumpkin's innards. It was "too squishy".So I was left to do most of the carving myself...
We took our first hike as a family of four. Pelton Pond in Fahnstock State Park - we did this very same hike last year around this time, as a family of three.

Peek-a-Boo!

Fun times with cousins at Uncle Dave's...

Nora turned 4 months - can you believe it?!

Slow down little one!

Raking leaves is a month-long project around here...

"Uh, Dad? I'm in here!"

And, finally, HALLOWEEN! I had two opportunities to get the kids all dressed up. Our playgroup had a little get-together during the week as a warm-up to the big day. Then on Halloween itself we had everyone in the playgroup at our house, accompanied by the mommies and daddies, as well as some good food and drink. And some trick or treating! Here's our little Nora flower:

...with our little Cat in the Hat!

Trick or Treating!

Apples and Pumpkins!

Last weekend we had some perfect fall weather so we decided to take advantage of it and get out for some apple and pumpkin picking. Here we are on Nora's first hayride ever! (She slept through it.)

Scoping out the pumpkin patch to find the perfect one.
"So many pumpkins!"

Taste testing...

Pirate ship playground!

Nora didn't seem to mind the fact that she slept through all the fun fall activities...She was all smiles at the end of the day.

Nora Catherine's Christening

Nora's big day was October 3rd. She wore the same Christening gown that Aunt Lisa and I both wore as babies. Katie and Grace each wore for their Christening, as well. I never realized how pretty it is! And how pretty does our little girl look in it?
Dylan is still quite tentative around his little sister.

Mommy has 2 babies!

Proud Godparents: Uncle Dave and Aunt Lisa.

Mimi and Papa

Happy Family!

Happy Birthday to Nonna!

September 19th was Nonna's birthday so we traveled upstate to celebrate with her. We spent Saturday at Hoops Park in Auburn with Ben, Emily, Sophia, and their new baby girl, Rylan. We fed the ducks, explored the gazebo and had a little wine and cheese picnic in the park. It was a beautiful day!

After the park, we went back to Nonna's house for lunch and toddler nap time. Nora wasn't sure what to make of it all...

Rylan is just 2 weeks younger than Nora. Nora cut in the birth order line as she was due a week after Rylan.

GGMum stopped by to meet Nora and Rylan (great-grandchildren numbers 15 & 16!).

The next day, Nonna's actual birthday, we had a lazy morning in our jammies.

...and a quick lunch before heading home.

Happy birthday, Nonna!

Grange Fair!

Every fall Yorktown has its grange fair - kind of like an old-fashioned county fair with prizes for things like the biggest zucchini and prettiest chicken. Here's Dylan with some of the contenders:
Cautiously checking out a crazy goat who kept freaking us all out with his loud "BLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAT!". Maybe he was angry for not winning some coveted goat prize.
First carousel ride!!

Waving to Nora and me!

Dylan was impressed by the giant strawberries...

...however, I don't think he's a "spinny", tea-cups ride kind of kid. The ride seemed to go on forever (and I was only on the sidelines!) and he looked quite dazed when it was over. So did Tim. So then it was time to go home for a nap.

August Highlights

So, I've had my hands (and arms) full, which is my excuse for not posting as frequently as I'd like. Now that September is almost over I thought I should at least share some of the more memorable moments from August!

Baby carriers are a must for newborns (and babydolls!) who love to be held!
While Tim was working on our bathtub, we had to be creative with bathing locations for both kids...

Who needs an occasion to get dressed up? Most days this summer it was so hot I just dressed Nora in a onsie. I decided to play dress-up with her to make sure I got pictures of her in the dress and hat I knitted for her. She didn't seem to mind:)

Hanging in their jammies on a rare, cool morning.

More dress-up!

Happy girl!

Modeling is hard work!

Two months!

A late August visit from Papa Scott and Nana Wendy...here they are admiring their new granddaughter.

Dylan helping Papa S. play guitar

Bunnies at the nursery where Papa S. and Nana W. bought Nora a tree for us to plant in our yard (pics to follow).

More love from Nana W. and Papa S.

Pretty girl!