Butterflies in Disguise

This week, Lexie got to get dressed up for her Social Butterfly class!!! It was exciting to see all of her friends in their creative costumes to celebrate Halloween. They were all so cute and very eager to show off their "characters". As usual, there was singing, dancing, story telling, snacks, and crafts...but this week, instead of a trip to the gym, the kids paraded through the school in full costume and trick or treated. Lexie had a great time (as evidenced by the 3 hour long nap that followed)!

Miss Melanie acts out the Itsy Bitsy Spider...quite possibly Lexie's favorite song!!!
Lexie as Dora--but of course!
Lexie and her Social Butterfly Friends listen intently to Miss Melanie as she tells the tale of 5 little pumpkins (sock puppet and all)!
The it was time for the Monster Mash!!!
Class photo--Just look at all of those cuties!!!!
Olivia having a good time watching all the kids in their costumes.
Time for peek-a-boo or "pee-da-boo" as Lexie likes to call it!!!
The Dora wig finally came off during snack time...which also doubled this week as part of the craft. They made these adorable "witch's hats"...then gobbled them right up!

Breakfast of Champions!

With the weather starting to turn cold...I decided to make something warm for breakfast--OATMEAL! Lexie absolutely loves it, and now that Olivia is getting old enough to eat "solids", we have started her on it too!


Yummmmm, she loves oatmeal!





Lexie is all smiles with a big bite of oatmeal in her mouth!



Russ captures a prize winning photo here...

Bedtime babies

One of my favorite times during the day is just before bedtime--and no it's not just because I finally get to unwind and have a moment to myself, though that does have a very small part in the matter! It is largely due to the fact that I get some much needed snuggle time!!! I get to cuddle up with Olivia while I am feeding her (and hope that it is the last time I see her precious baby blues until the morning) and I also get some loving from Lexie while reading her a few books.

On this particular night, during our evening routine, I happened to put Olivia down on her belly in front of the mirror while I got ready for bed myself. Lexie was in our bathroom brushing her teeth and decided to see what Olivia was up to...I was so glad I had the camera close by!

Lexie decided to lay down next to Olivia--toothpaste and all.
Olivia got such a kick out of her own reflection--just like her daddy she LOVES staring at herself in the mirror!
Lexie leans in to give her baby sister a kiss
Now in her pjs and waiting for me to read her some books...Lexie decides to put on my sunglasses to wait. Looks like she is contemplating a manicure! They sure grow up fast!!

He's Baaaack!

After what seemed like an eternity, Russ finally made it back safely from the humanitarian mission to Africa. He came home with a ton of interesting stories, some very ethnic gifts--a necklace and napkin rings (they are pretty amazing-made out of tusks) and of course a sunburn from his white water rafting trip (on the Nile). It is great to have him back...now if he could just stay home more than a few hours at a time that would be even better!!! :)


Lexie was so excited to have her Da-da back home that we couldn't just wait in the car. She (we) wanted to greet him as soon as he stepped off of the escalator!!! She waited so patiently with her sign...it was toooo cute!

Russ was exhausted and a bit jet lagged--he could barely keep his eyes open!

Boo at the Zoo

The day before Russ was to be back from Uganda, I was going stir crazy and wanted to get out with the kids. I mentioned going to Boo at the Zoo with our neighbors so all the little monkeys could see the little monkeys! It was a great idea--in theory. We had a wonderful time, however, it was cut a little short. The zoo was absolutely packed with little ones dressed up and running from exhibit to exhibit to "trick or treat", collecting goodies in zoo-like fashion. The weather wasn't as nice as we would have hoped and Lexie didn't nap--until about 10 minutes prior to us arriving at the zoo. We muddled through the wind, and at times precipitation--and lack of sleep until we (I) called it quits.
Like I said, we had a great time, I just wished I would have planned it a bit better! There is always next year, but we got some great photos and made a few fun memories this year! Hopefully Russ will be able to join us next year!


Cole as "James" and Lexie as "Dora" riding in style.
Just look at those beautiful tigers!
Lexie was in love with the Flamingos!!!
Olivia says "BOOOO!" from the zoo

Taking a closer look at some animals

Our wonderful neighbors and friends, The Egans
The baby elephant was just sooo cute!!!
We went to take a closer look while she was inside
Lexie wasn't too fond of the smell, but loved getting so close to the "bay-bee ep-pa-pent"

Indian Summer

Thankfully the weather broke and we were able to get out of the house for a few days! I took FULL advantage of the 'Indian Summer' and took the girls to the park...I even scooped up our neighbor Cole (or "Toll" as Lexie calls him) and took him with us one day. We had a great time and enjoyed the foliage and fresh air!!! Hope there are more days like this in the weeks to come!

Trying to get the little ones to look at the camera at the same time--good luck-but still a good picture!
Lexie running through the play yard!
Olivia enjoying the park from her infant carrier.
Lexie on the big red swing--she still LOVES this swing!
A property located up the street from us...it is SOOOO beautiful!
Lexie on the front stoop
At the park with her buddy Cole
Swing, swing, swing...Lexie loves to swing!
Climbing on the tires like a big kid
Cole and Lexie take turns on the slide (still her favorite)
Olivia resting after our trip to the park

While he was U-gone-da...

I don't know if there was a full moon, if it was a severe case of cabin fever, or maybe it was me driving these little ones to be batty!!! Whatever the case, there were certainly some funny moments I was able to capture on film while Russ was in Africa. Hope you enjoy them half as much as I did!


This picture was taken one day when Lexie was being particularly ornery!!! It got dangerously quiet...then all of the sudden I heard "I see you...I see you" and saw Lexie coming around the corner from the bathroom.


Okay, so there is nothing ornery about this, but I just thought it was too cute. Olivia is really enjoying her new Bumbo seat...
...and Lexie seems to be enjoying it too!


This next picture really makes me laugh, and reaffirms that kids are far more intuitive than we think!!! I was getting ready to pump when I came into the living room and found Lexie as pictured below:


Needless to say it was a couple of interesting weeks while Russ was gone!

He's a gonna to Uganda

As part of a Humanitarian mission (and as a way to "check another continent off the list"-his words not mine) Russ volunteered to provide medical attention to the lovely people of Uganda. He, along with other members of the 171st, traveled nearly 4000 miles to the African nation. It took them almost 3 days to get to the first village and they treated literally THOUSANDS of people while they were in the country...but before he could leave, he had to pass a rigorous physical.


NOT liking that her daddy is going to be far far away for two weeks...

...she decides she is going to make sure daddy is healthy enough to travel.

"Hmmmm...something doesn't sound quite right, maybe you should stay put!"
Olivia convinced Lexie that daddy is okay to travel-he is all smiles!
Be safe Russ...we will miss you!

Going to the Chapel...

Congratulations Bethany and Brian!

My high school friend Bethany Tobin, is now Bethany Minich!!! Saturday the 10th, Bethany and Brian said their I DOs...and I was lucky enough to be a part of their very special day! Thank you sooooooo much to the Tobin/Minich families for hosting such wonderful events all weekend long! From the rehearsal dinner, to lunch at "the Farm" on the day of the wedding, and of course the main event itself--every detail was perfect!

Have so much fun vacationing in Hawaii you two love birds--you deserve it! We wish you a lifetime full of happiness and love!



Mrs. Tobin and Mrs. Minich (Bethany hehehe) share a quick photo and sigh of relief! All the planning paid off--now time to enjoy it!
Genevieve and I with the bride and the groom!!!

Me with Mr. and Mrs. Adams!!!! (I was good friends with their son in high school--Mrs. Adams was like a second mom to all of us--truly wonderful people!)



As if hosting a beautiful wedding wasn't enough, Mr. and Mrs. Tobin invited everyone to join them for brunch. Thanks again for such impeccable hospitality and for the picture!

Weekend at Nini's

Since one of my very good friends from High School was getting married (and I was in the wedding) we loaded up the Suburban and headed to Canton. The first stop was GG and Gpa's since Nini was working. The girls love going to GG's house (sorry grandpa...that's what Lexie calls it). Who wouldn't...they get spoiled rotten! Anyways, they were kind enough to agree to watch the girls while Russ and I got ready for the rehearsal dinner! Next it was off to Nini's for a weekend packed with lots of fun activities!!!


Rise and shine...it's time to play Nini!!!
Thanks for capturing this adorable picture mom!!! Our two little cuties side by side with smiles...well almost smiles!

Lexie with Aunt Allie at the pumpkin patch~this place looked like a ton of fun!!! Wish I could have gone!
Petting some animals...
...and more animals
Running through some corn
This is how it all begins...if I hear "but I want a pony for Chirstmas", I am sending her to you Aunt Allie!!!
Lexie on the train...
...apparently she LOVED the train!
"What do you mean I have to wait in line???"

Thanks for a great weekend Aunt Allie, Unlce Marcus, Nini, GG and Gpa!!!!