Happy Halloween!

Today was Miles and Vivienne's 3rd Halloween, but their first time trick-or-treating.

Vivienne was dressed as the prettiest little flower you ever did see.

And Miles was our handsome firefighter.

We started out the evening by visiting our neighbors.  It took the kids a little while to get warmed up to the idea of trick-or-treating, but once they got it, they were excited.

This is what our typical family photos look like these days:

Me and My Girls

 After visiting our neighbors, we drove to Grandma and Grandad's house for a bit more fun.  The kids enjoyed getting treats from Grandma, and she had some super cool decorations.  My mom and dad really enjoyed having trick-or-treaters for the first time in about 30 years.  (Their house in the country didn't get any trick-or-treaters.)

After we made the rounds, the kids had a blast rummaging through their loot.

The Aftermath

Evelyn didn't really have a costume this time around, but something tells me that she'll be all ready next year.

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 8 PM

A Walk in the Woods

This past Sunday, we took the kids for a walk on the path behind our subdivision.  North Carolina is strutting its stuff right now with the gorgeous Fall leaves.  We even saw three deer crossing the path.  Jason and I love getting the kids outside to enjoy nature and breathe the fresh air.  Luckily, the kids love it, too.

Stripper

We had plans today for a fun time at the park with Kristi and Daniel.  As we were leaving the house to meet them, I had all the kids in the car.  As I was buckling Vivienne into her car seat, I noticed that her crotch was damp.  I ran back inside to get another diaper and another set of pants.  After changing her in the floor of the van (I wasn't about to unbuckle Miles and Evie and bring everyone in for a diaper change), I buckled her into her seat.

At the playground, Miles and Vivienne were going down slides that were still damp from the night before.  (Of course, I had forgotten the towel that I usually have in the van for just such drying needs.)  After sliding a few times, both of their bottoms were damp, but I didn't think anything of it.  After about an hour, I noticed that Viv's pants were still very wet, and they even looked wet in the front.  Lo and behold, she had wet herself through her diaper and pants again.  I didn't have an extra pair of pants in the car, so she came home without any pants on (but luckily a fresh diaper).

After lunch, I put the kids down for naps in just their shirts and diapers.  Then I laid down with Evelyn to get her to nap.  After listening to the big kids laugh, sing together and eventually cry, I went in to remind them that they would not be coming out until they took a nap.  There was Vivienne, standing in her crib, pigtails on either side of her head and not a diaper or piece of clothing on her body.  She had taken off her diaper and shirt and thrown them on the floor.  I went downstairs to get a fresh diaper.  When I got back up to their room, she had just peed on herself standing there.

Thanks, baby girl.  Thanks.  I've had enough pee for one day, I think.

Another Fire Station Tour

Yesterday, we did one of Miles' favorite things... we toured the "fire ninja house" (fire engine house).  Personally, I actually think fire ninjas sound more lively than fire trucks, but I'm not one to argue with a 2-year-old.  I think he would say that the fire engines are much more exciting.

The firefighters put on all of their equipment so that the kids can learn not to be afraid of them in an actual fire or emergency situation.  Miles was happy to go up and give the firefighter a high five, but Vivienne was not so eager.  Evelyn enjoyed the trip in her usual fashion.

Vivienne looked so small in front of the ladder truck.

Our playgroup in front of the ladder truck.

The kids got to hold the huge nozzle that attaches to the truck.

At the end of the tour, the firefighters gave out helmets to all the kids.

Heading home with my little firefighters.

Pumpkin Patch

The day that we got home from Florida, we joined an impromptu get together with some friends at a pumpkin patch nearby.  We were all still very tired from getting up so early, but it was fun to run around in a pumpkin field with our good friends.

Vivienne tried to pick up some pumpkins, but most of them were too heavy for her to lift.  Miles started picking up pumpkins and throwing them (all boy, that one, I tell ya!), but we had to put a stop to that, of course.

Pam and Jason brought Baby Will.  He was definitely one of the cutest pumpkins there.  I'm trying desperately to set Evelyn up with him someday so that Pam and I can plan a wedding together.

Kristi, Ian and their kids were also there.  Daniel had a hard time settling on the perfect pumpkin, but he eventually found "the one."

This is a rare shot of the Fox Five.  It's pretty hard to get us all in one shot these days.  At least everyone over 2 years old is looking at the camera.

Panama City

In early October, we took the kids to visit their Aunt Mary, Uncle Brian and cousin, Elizabeth, in Panama City, Florida.  This was a bit of a last-minute plan.  My parents were going to go down to watch Elizabeth while my brother and sister-in-law moved, and we decided to join them just a couple days before we all left.  It was great to see Mary and Brian before the arrival of their next little one, due in late January.

This was the kids' first plane ride.  Miles and Vivienne had to wait past their second birthday to ride on a plane, but Evelyn only had to wait past her second month.  The kids were all very excited about the flight.  Mom and Dad were flying with us, so this was a huge help.  Between the seven of us, we had about 18 pieces of luggage/carry-ons/car seats/strollers.  Just moving all of our stuff into RDU from the curb was a feat.  The trip was a bit overwhelming, but it went much more smoothly than I had anticipated.  Grandma packed a bag with lots of little treats for Miles and Vivienne to unwrap on the planes when they got restless.  Grandma and Grandad also brought their iPads for kid entertainment.  This was very, very effective.  Evelyn just snoozed the whole time.

Evelyn enjoyed the flight in her usual fashion.

We had to connect through Atlanta.  By the time our second plane landed, Vivienne was fast asleep.

Our first sunset in Florida was gorgeous.  Nearly every night, we had a beautiful sunset to enjoy from the balcony.

Brian, Mary and Elizabeth all got to meet Evelyn for the first time.  It was so much fun to reunite Elizabeth with Miles and Vivienne.  Elizabeth is only a month older than Miles and Viv, so it's fun (and exhausting!) to have all the toddlers together.  Elizabeth mispronounced Miles' name as "Smiles," which was absolutely adorable (and very fitting).

I braided Vivienne's hair for the first time.

We ate WAY too many Oreos.  The kids went through a sugar detox when we got back home.  You can see the effect it has on Viv.

I also french braided Vivienne's hair for the first time.  Actually, this was the very first time that I have ever tried to french braid anyone's hair, and I think it looked great.  Now if I could only get her to sit still so I could practice!

We spent lots and lots of time down by the pool and out on the beach.  Evelyn got lots of snuggle time with Grandad.  Elizabeth, Vivienne and Miles wore themselves out swimming and running up and down the beach.  They also enjoyed floating in the "bubble pool" (hot tub).

We saw tons of sting rays on this trip.  At the first condo, they were swimming in the water and literally came just a few feet from my legs.  Twice, at sunset, I saw a sting ray jump completely out of the water.  At the second condo, you could see them swimming around literally a few feet (like 5 feet) from the beach.  It was amazing.

Jason came back to North Carolina about 5 days before Miles, Vivienne, Evelyn and I returned.  My parents actually flew back to Raleigh with us just to drop us off.  Then they got back on a plane and flew back down to Panama City (stopping in Atlanta both ways).  They basically sacrificed an entire day at the beach just to help me get the kids home.  (No way would I fly with all three kids by myself right now.)

After about 10 days at the beach, the kids (and I) were absolutely pooped!

It was a super fun trip, and we're so glad that we went.  It's so fun to have all the cousins together while they are so young.  A huge thanks to Mom and Dad for letting us crash at their condo and for helping us fly to and from Florida!