We have arrived. We have entered into the "its mine" stage of the terrible terrific two’s. What makes matters worse? If Zack has it, its hers to the the 10th degree. Of course . . . right at the time when brother is starting to be interested in toys. Right at the time when he can finally hold the thing that he’s been scoping out for months. She will march right over and take it. It can be anything. The chain link in his hand, the floor mat he’s on, the swing he’s in. Its all hers.

How strong is her sense of entitlement? Let me give you an example. We brought Abby along with us to Zack’s 4-month check-up. Abby likes her doctor a lot (enough to play "Dr. Price" with her medical kit at home). She did NOT like that we were there for Zack and that HE got to get his heart listened to and his ears looked at. And you know what else she didn’t like? That HE got to get shots!!! She knows what they feel like. She remembers the pain. But it didn’t matter. She wanted them, because Zack was getting his! So, I had to consol my little guy while he was getting shot, and Josh had to take Abby outside to consol her for NOT.

Good grief!

I tried to have very low expectations for our first Halloween with two. Abby has been testing us quite a bit this week, wanting things her way or no way. And the little guy has been going through a growth spurt . . . very fussy and very hungry. We had a slightly disappointing beginning to our day, but the evening ended pretty well.

We started out early this morning and headed to a local clinic to get our H1N1 shots. We arrived a half hour after the clinic opened to a line that would have taken us 4 hours to get through. So the thought of waiting in the cold with two small kids was terribly unappealing, and we turned around.

On the way home, we spotted a pumpkin patch, and pulled over. But a muddy field and cold weather kept us from picking. So, we headed to the grocery store to pick up some sugar cookies for decorating, and let Abby parade around the store in her costume. She was the bell of the Fred Meyer, as people pointed and smiled at our little Minnie Mouse, so that redeemed our seemingly endless car ride.

We also found another "pumpkin patch" a little closer to home (aka Safeway) that was giving their punkins away, so Josh grabbed a few for our pie-making enjoyment.

By this time, Abby was rubbing her eyes like crazy, and the baby needed to be fed, so we sped home and had a little lunch. A little icing makes EVERYTHING better .

After a long nap for the whole family, it was time to get in costume and head to the Mill Creek Town Center, where TONS of little ones trick-or-treat every year, and our church was giving some treats and balloons out. Of course, an hour before we needed to head out, the rain started so I planned on our celebration to be very brief.

Our little giraffe exersaucing…

And with the zookeeper…

Obviously, Zack was not too fond of wearing his costume, but his daddy was THRILLED to wear him. Abby, on the other hand, couldn’t be happier in her Minnie "Diva" costume. She even helped me get ready for the evening.

One of her buddies, Brooke, was also a precious Minnie, so we had to snap a picture.

We also spotted a little Tinker Bell (better known as Madison).

Aside from Abby insisting on wearing my "ears" all night (mine did have a veil on it ), Abby was such a trooper. She was completely fascinated with all the costumes she saw, and at one point, in her giddiness, she said "Trick-or-Treat! Happy Birthday Momma!".

Zack’s night was not quite as enjoyable. We had to skip a couple naps today being out and about, and the poor little guy was NOT better for it. After nursing him in a nearby bakery, he managed to calm down, snuggle, and take a little nap.

Since Abby knew none the wiser (and it was fricken’ freezing outside), we stayed in the bakery the rest of the evening. Abby was still too little to really enjoy trick-or-treating, but she was able to have her first candy bar. She couldn’t eat it fast enough.

(I love that last picture. It exemplifies Halloween to me. Daddy’s hand, with a balloon tied to it, feeding candy to an exhausted, dripping wet little girl who has yet to have enough molars to fully chew the bar’s nuts and nougat.)

Over all, it was a wonderful day. Any time we have nothing to do but be a family is a good day, no matter what we do or where we go. Happy Halloween!

Gone are the days of sending your husband to work, only to have him come home after a long day,  just before dinner (homemade and cooked to perfection by an apron-wearing wife). Well, Josh is the apron-wearing cook in the family, and thanks to technology, we could really see each other whenever we want. On those rare occasions that I’m sitting at my computer during the day, believe it or not, this face is a special treat .    

Our 2-year-old is constantly reminding us that she is the center of the universe. Most recently, she’s in the habit of telling mommy and daddy to stop talking. Because, if we’re talking to each other, we’re not talking to her. Little does she know, that her mommy and daddy talking will be one of the greatest gifts we can give to her.

Somedays…

My sister sent me a picture of Abby when she was about Zack’s age. I guess, at times, they do look like siblings.

Abby, Zack, and Josh caught a little cold at the end of last week. The good news is Abby knows how to blow her nose now. The bad news? Zack is a long way from that. When I walked around the car to grab he and his carseat, this is the face that was looking back at me. Sweet ‘lil Booger .

That’s how we feel after this week. Our tummies and our hearts are full. Josh’s dad from Florida, and  brother and sister-in-love from California, have come to visit us on this GORGEOUS Autumn week. The changing leaves are ushering in a new season, the weather is cooling, and our family is drawing close. Our cups of coffee . . . and the cups of our souls . . . are spilling over.

The boys.

Grandpa Dave works for the Mouse, and we got some fab tees to show for it.

Josh with two of his favorite people, in his happy place . . . on a Mac.

Abby and Grandpa Dave on a Costco run.

Uncle Cam’s look-alike.

There’s no doubt who the fam was rooting for. Maybe Abby can hand her jammies down to her bro for next year’s playoffs.

A little cup of joe, and some giggles, before heading out for a day in Seattle.

If only we could ALL look this cute in our Space Needle pictures.

Abby LOVED being in her backpack today, and didn’t mind the new vantage point from Grandpa’s shoulders.

The kiddos have been amazing all week, loving all the attention and snuggling.

Lunch on the patio at Ivar’s and mom’s obsession with trying to stay as germ-free as possible this flu season. Yeah, I’m a nervous wreck. 

Lacy, Cam, Abby, and Rachel.

Attacked by some clown.

Taking this picture with people we love NEVER gets old.

At this season in our lives, miles and state borders separate us from our family, but our heartstrings, more than ever, are drawing us close.

Sure he’s a little young, but that hasn’t stopped his Daddy from dreaming of someday watching football with him.