Happy Halloween!

We had a great surprise for Halloween this year - in the midst of the yucky, rainiest harvest ever, Papa, Nana and Aunt Teese got away for the weekend to spend time with us. We had a fun Halloween party day on Saturday - we decorated pumpkin cookies, carved pumpkins and got dressed up for dinner at Chik-fil-A! Carson had a really, really fun time trick-or-treating this year and grasped the concept of more homes equals more candy! I think we'll be eating Halloween candy until Christmas! Papa, Nana, Aunt Teese, Daddy and Mommy all shared the fun this year! When we got home, Carson sorted his candy into about ten different groups. My personal favorite pile - "squishy things." He is so my child!

Brooke was "eating" smartie's through the package. Next year, baby girl!

This is what Carson's teeth will look like if he eats all that candy!

Optimus Prime and his loot!


Our pumpkins!

I promise, this was the "best" family picture we got - I realize it leaves a little room for improvement :). To top it off, Brian is wearing his creepy 80's hair-band wig.

Brooke was a kitty-cat for about 3 minutes...she wasn't so crazy about the makeup!

There's a pretty smile!

Our Optimus Prime (for the second year in a row) - but in the older version of the costume.

October Trip to Tennessee

Carson had a few days off for Fall Break so we packed up and headed to Tennessee to visit Grandpa and Grandma Schluep. Brian's brother, Uncle D, and his wonderful girlfriend Nicky, came to spend the long weekend, too! We had a fun trip to the Smoky Mountains to see the fall leaves. Carson loved hiking in the woods and the scenery was amazing. The leaves are gorgeous but there is no way the camera captured the true beauty.

The original Schluep family!

Darin and Nicky - aren't they so cute together?!?!

Carson is such a good car-rider!

At this point, Brooke was really starting to cruise around.

We carved pumpkins one rainy afternoon.

Uncle D's pumpkin is on the left and Carson and Brian's pumpkin is on the right - it has a beard!

Flash Back Part I - Our Summer Staycation

We stayed home for our Vacation this year and took 4 days to just play, relax and have fun. It was wonderful. On one day, we visited the Zoo....and Brooke slept through nearly half of it!

Carson took a pony ride for the first time and had a great time!

Carson and Brian touched a snake - I took pictures (what a great excuse!!).

We also visited the Children's Museum - and of course, had big ice cream cones, that Carson insisted on sharing with Brooke!

They had a Star Wars The Clone Wars exhibit that Carson enjoyed.

Brooke LOVES playing peek-a-boo!

We spent hours at a park, enjoying a picnic and playing on a great playground.

Brooke's 10 Month Birthday and the Pumpkin Patch

Brooke turned 10 months old on Sunday. She is getting so big and grown up - she has given up baby food and really enjoys big-girl food. I cannot believe she will start drinking milk in 1 month and in 2 months, she will be 1! Just the other day one of her teachers said she is becoming more like a toddler, and she is right. No matter how old she is, she'll always be our baby girl! After church, we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch!

We took a few self-portraits and I'm so pleased with how they turned out!


Carson LOVES the pumpkin patch! Brooke was so curious - she said ooh about a million times and was in complete awe of everything around her!

My boys with their pumpkin selections. Carson also picked a very small one (about the size of a baseball) for his sister.

Best buddies.

I always sneak a photo of them walking away....it is amazing to see how tall Carson has gotten!

Our monthly photo shoot took a bit longer than normal, but was worth every moment to get the two of them in fits of laughter in the chair!

Don't be fooled by this innocent look - it is all an act. Prime example: Brooke has been in 3 different crib locations at daycare - the first time, she was unloading papers off the table; just last week, she discovered the light switch and clapped for herself. Third time's a charm :).

Brooke is getting brave and standing on her own for a few moments every once in a while.

I saved the best for last with these two! When I look at my miracle babies, my heart swells with joy.