Finley update!

Here's some recent pictures of Finley. She's growing like a weed and is becoming sweeter and sweeter each day. She is getting 2 teeth (but you wouldn't really know it) and she's charming us all with her smiles and "talk."

The big kids are still very interested in her care, and offer to do things to help all the time. In fact, Carter wanted to burp her this morning and was very impressed with himself when she let out a giant burp! She will be 6 months on the 16th and time sure is flying by. We are getting geared up for our trip to Disney next month, and are already for the big plane ride (we figure it will be the first of many, or the LAST time we fly!)

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a very nice, very low-key Thanksgiving this year! We spent most of our day at home, and then had a nice dinner with friends. The plan for next year? Thanksgiving at home, we will be starting our own stay-at-home tradition, with hopefully a visit from Emme and Papa (hint, hint!)

Today while Jay was working, I took the kids for a ride (aka a nap in the car) to drop off payroll, then out for lunch at Culvers! The kid love having the days off from school! Tomorrow it's down with the fall decor and up with the tree. Carter and the girls totally "get" the whole Christmas thing now, so they are very excited to put up the tree.

I worked at the school on Tuesday with another mom to prepare the kindergarten "feast." I was able to "dine" with Carter and it was so cute. All the kids using their table manners, was adorable!

Big City Fun!

Emme came to visit this week, and we've been on the move! On Friday, when Jay was working, we took the 4 big kids to the Shedd Aquarium! So much fun! We saw the "Fantasea" show, looked, touched and loved all the exhibits we could! Cooper kept up with the big kids, and we actually went sans diaper bag and stroller (who would have thought that was possible?)

Then, on Saturday, we headed back downtown to the Lincoln Park Zoo! This time with Finley and Dad with us! It was BEAUTIFUL and warm and not crowded at all! We checked out all the animals, and then headed to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. It's a bit of a tourist destination, but the kids loved it!

Halloween Night!

We had a great time on Halloween! We had some friends over, I made a nice dinner, and then off to trick or treat in the cold! The kids rode in a trailer that was all decked out with hay and blankets. The guys took the bigger kids, and the ladies stayed back with the babies (we each had one under 1, so it worked out!) Jason of course had his hands full because managing 4 kids under 5, and having to carry some was a bit nutty!

They made it to our friends the Wagner's house first, where the decor is really cool and spooky. Our kids love the giant mummy and all the spooky stuff, they aren't the scared babies that they used to be (although don't get me started on Carter and watching Marley & Me, that's the kind of stuff that's upsetting to him, poor guy!)

We capped off the evening diving into the goody bags (thankfully our friend Becky had some non-candy related items) and each had 3 pieces of candy before everyone practically put themselves to bed.

It was a long, cold, but very fun night!!! It's so nice that they really get the whole "Halloween" thing now, it's so much fun to see them having such a great time, it's almost (minus all the work and clean up) like being a kid again!!

Halloween Fun...

Getting geared up for Halloween fun....the kids did the pumpkins. Great idea for little ones, foam stickers, rather than the carving. Carter and sissies will carve some on Saturday, but these were great for an after school project.

Annabelle came down with a bug today, so cross your fingers she's better by Friday for her class party. I am taking the photos for the class, and came up with 3 crafts for the party. Saturday some friends are coming by with their "Ranger" and we are doing a hayride/trick or treating thing around the neighborhood (let's hope we are all well!!!)

Sweet Finley....

Such a peaceful little thing....:)

Fall!

Things are really still very busy around here! Carter and I went on his first field trip of the year. We went to the Memorial Opera house and the museum here in town. The kids were so cute, asking the funniest questions and looking at all the exhibits. Carter was very excited to have me there, and wants to know when I will be back, so cute. I will be back, in fact, I'll be VERY busy volunteering at the school twice a month for each child (with the exception of Cooper, they don't do parents in toddler for obvious reasons!) I also have the pleasure of working the Halloween party for the girls and being the unofficial photographer for events at the school! So, the kids are all very excited to see me at the school, and are getting used to seeing me coming and going (which can sort of be confusing for Cooper, but the big kids seem to handle it just fine!!!)

We also made our annual trek to the pumpkin patch, which is always a treat...ya just never know with the weather around here though what you are going to get! Last year, the same weekend it was 92, yesterday it was in the 40's and muddy! The kids didn't care though and we took the hayride out to the field and came home with 6 nice pumpkins. Finley managed to stay quiet and warm with one of the grandmothers who kept and eye on her, of course she didn't make a peep! We then headed to Bar Louie, aka one of "Daddy's Restaurants" for some great food and fun with friends. The kids are so independent now, it's actually not a big deal anymore to take them out (granted we are in our own restaurant where the staff are bending over backwards for them) It's still WAY better than it used to be going just about everywhere, Finley is so good, you hardly know she's there! Cooper is completely 100% potty trained, even to the point you really don't have to ask her anymore, which is nice.

Here are some pics!!!