Blake is 3

Three years ago at 10:23pm Blake was born and the minute he was in our arms we were over joyed with happiness.  I never knew that type of love before nor that my heart actually would feel bigger or fuller by having a baby, but he certainly makes my heart happy.  Blake entered the world after a two days of contractions (yes, ladies and I lived to tell the story).  He was born on Election Day.  My sister-in-law, Lori, made a sign saying, "We voted for Blake".  It was a very tense birth and I wasn't the first to hold him, both of which were tough to swallow, but on the other hand he was healthy and I was thrilled with that blessing.  Blake has always been "easy".  He is more on the quiet side, content, doesn't complain and easy going. He is the apply of my eye and I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished.  He has proven to be a hard worker and no job is too big for him.  I love how he always wants to help us out whether dusting or emptying the truck bed of wood.  Blake you have made Motherhood a joy and blessing, just by being born and being your wonderful self.  May all your dreams come true honey.  As I say to him every night "You are a kind, loving, smart and handsome boy.  We are so proud of who you are".

October and November Birthdays

Ed, his sister Susie and brother Joe

Blake, Amanda, Pap, Uncle Jim, Issac

On my husband's side of the family we celebrate the birthdays each month.  Some months we combine because it is hard to get 50+ people together at one time.  Ed is one of nine children so we don't buy gifts instead we give cards to the birthday people.  His parents still buy a gift for everyone, mostly because his mom likes to shop and this gives her more reason:)  In October we celebrated Ed, Susie, Joe, Chad and Danny.  In November we celebrated Blake, Amanda, Bud/Dad, Jim & Issac.  Blake was thrilled with his logging truck and magnetic train scene.  He even slept with the truck.  I don't know where he sleeps because he has 3 pillows, a pillow pet, trains, 2 balls and now a logging truck in bed with him not to mention the puppy dog, duck, moose and blanket that he has to have in with him!  We did have a great time of food and fellowship.

Saturday, OCTOBER 29, 2011

Saturday morning I woke up to SNOW!  Yes, that white stuff that is usually seen around Christmastime.  We didn't just get a few flakes, we got 6 inches of snow.  My parents, who live 20 minutes from us got a foot of snow!  Did you notice the pumpkins in the last picture?  It's not even Halloween and we are digging out snow.  So many of our trees were down because all the leaves are not off of them!  Many people are without electricity, we are one of the fortunate ones that keep theirs the entire time.  We did have fun on the sled, shoveling, making snowballs and a snowman.  Did you notice Ava was eating the snow?  She stood around eating snow probably because she is getting more teeth.  We even made hot chocolate...the kids preferred it to be cold.  I went to work baking an apple pie and pumpkin pie while the kids napped.  I just love the first snow in particular, of course I get to stay inside with my kids.  Kids make snow even more enjoyable. *Note to self buy snow pants and zippered, easy on snow boots.  Wearing Ed's clothes is not flattering!

Trick or Treat

Thursday before Halloween is the "traditional" day we go trick or treating.  Blake decided to be a Phillies baseball player and Ava went as a ballerina (they may have been influenced?).  Please notice Blake's hat, Mommy had to make it a Phillie's hat, thank goodness the lettering is easy!  Ava is wearing her Mommy's ballet costume from when she was 5 years old!  Yes, I have a mother who saved all of my ballet costumes and shoes!  The best part about Ava's Halloween costume is that her cousin Lauren wore it when she was either 2 or 3 years old also.  I wonder if Ava's daughter will wear it too.  I better take good care of it.  Blake was especially excited for this day, because he remembered going last year and he thought it was amazing that all you did was walk up to a door say, "trick or treat" and they would give you candy!  Now Ava being the independent sort, wanted to walk like a big girl without holding anyone's hand.  I must also add Holly's little girl Kate (5 years old) thought she could walk with her friend from the neighborhood without adults:)  We live on a street that does not have trick or treaters so we go to Aunt Holly and Uncle Steve's house and go with Kate and Ellie.  It's like old times for Holly and I so we enjoy the time together.  A big thank you to my mom who has also volunteered her time every year to go with me and put up with me barking orders to her:)  I don't know what I do without her help and support, maybe I would be gray by now, I shutter just typing that!

Blake, Kate (pumpkin), Ellie (Bell), Ava
Please notice the placement of my son's hand, no I did not tell him to act like a ball player

Holly's girls are always helpful with "baby Blake" and "baby Ava"



Ava's last swim class

Ava has been taking swim class the month of October to get her ready for next summer.  She loves going to class and I love taking her.  It gives us a great time to bond, just the two of us.  She has learned to blow bubbles, put her ears in the water (they call it listening to the fish), row her arms (she has learned the words to "row, row, row your boat"), kick her feet and jump in the pool (a favorite).  She is even relaxed enough to lay on her back and float, which shocks me.  It must be the warmth of the pool because the minute we get to swim class she is so mellow, of course it's also 8:30am!  I am very proud of all that she has accomplished in a short amount of time.  We are taking a break from swimming right now and hope to resume in January.

Farm Playground

A local farm has a playground for kids the month of October.  This is the first year we decided to come and check it out.  My good friend Cathy and two of her girls (Caroline and Leah) invited us to go along with them.  We all had a great little day trip to the farm.  As you can see they had goats, crazy things can really climb, and sheep for the kids to feed.  They also had slides, mazes made out of hay bales, tunnels and a pirate ship with swings and slide.

Blake, Caroline and Ava (they look similar don't you think)

Blake walking on hay bales

Ava looking out porthole of ship

Blake looking out porthole of ship

Ava and Blake loved the slide best!

Pumpkin Party 2011

Ava at party!

Kate and Blake

Aunt Sheila in backgroung, Ellie and Uncle Steve carving pumpkin

Molly and Maddy scooping out the "guts" of their pumpkin

Ava and Blake proudly standing by tractor wheel.  We had to take TWO hayrides:)

Uncle Rodney on tractor and his dad giving him tips

Ellie and hand waving Aunt Sheila on hayride

Our good friends had their annual pumpkin party and we had a blast.  Sheila is like my sister, my kids even call her Aunt Sheila and her husband Uncle Rodney, we are that close.  It's great having extended family!  We had great warm food and the warmth of lots of friends around.  The kids loved  the hayride and the glow sticks that they proudly wore around their necks and even had to sleep with them (I did remove string in case you were worried).  They loved playing outside in the dark, but they were pooped when we got home!  We did not carve our pumpkin (Mommy was sooo disappointed...do hear my sarcasm?), I thought Daddy may want that job.