Happy Halloween!

I dressed up as "Wendy"...you know, the one from the burger joint. We had a chili cook-off tonight to raise money for the Van Buren County Special School.

My Anniversary Gift

My anniversary gift was cool artsy fartsy stuff. I hate the term "artsy fartsy" and can't believe I even used it.

Rob's Anniversary Gift

Nothing like the gift of mindless violence for a man's anniversary!

Fortune for the Upcoming Marital Year

Here are our anniversary fortunes...

Rob's is "A single kind word can keep one warm for years." And keep you out of the pop-up camper lemme tell ya, honey.

Mine is "A faithful friend is a strong defense." And good company for when your husband is in the pop-up camper.

Horsing Around at P.F. Chang's

WE LOVE PF CHANGS!

Driving Miss Wendy

Rob and I are celebrating our anniversary a few days early because SOMEBODY whose name I won't mention planned a hunting trip for the week of our real anniversay. Supposedly by accident, but... Hmm. Anyway, so we're on our way to eat a nice lunch at P.F Chang's (an hour and a half away) and the reason I'm sitting in the back seat is because an earlier passenger spilled half a gallon of rubbing alcohol on the passenger seat and I was getting high from the fumes. So happy damn anniversary from the back seat of my car.

School Spirit

This is anti-drug week at J's school. The kids are dressing special every day with an anti-drug themes like Hawaiian shirts for "Lei off drugs" or inside out clothes for "drugs turn me inside out" -- all corny but good stuff. Tomorrow is "team up against drugs" so they wear black and gold (team colors) and attend a pep rally. I couldn't find a team shirt at the store so I had to make one myself. This looks black and white but it's actually black and gold. I surprised myself!

Tired of Pictures

Julius is tired of getting his picture taken. It's been a long day.

Snoozing

I think we've found what works!

Old People and Technology

Dad tries to figure out how to send pictures with his cell phone.

They Call Him Mello Yello

We're trying Clonadine instead of Versed this time to see if we have better success.

Just Waiting

Our totally awesome anesthesia doc gave Julius two stuffed toys. He has terrible mask anxiety and she is working hard to make this a great experience for him.

Big Tall Drink

My mom got Tristan hooked on drinking from this big cup we got at the fair. He loves it only there's nothing in it. He hasn't mastered Straw Suckage 101. Here he is walking around with an empty cup. I was trying to take his picture and he keeps running from me because he thinks I'm trying to take his cup. Silly Wabbit!

My Spoon!

It's my spoon and you can't have it!

Look at My Food Grandma!

Tristan shows Grandma the chewed up food in his mouth because she laughs. Gross little baby!

Charicatures

Amelia the artist made a picture of the boys.

Feeding the Camel

Rob the brave feeds the camel.

On the Way

We're on the way for our adventure to the state fair. Yee haw. Julius is showing Tristan how his baby toy works. He's a good big brother!

Making Barb Famous

My mail art buddy Barb thinks my phone blog is only about babies. Bah! I'll show her!

Bye Mommy

I'm trying to let Tristan be more autonomous and adventurous. It's hard to have an overprotective control freak for a mother. Here he is about to head out to the screened porch to go stab himself with a screwdriver, or swallow wood splinters, or crack his head open on the corner of something, or trip and bust his lip. I'm just sure of it.

Slippers in Context

Here is what they look like in relation to the rest of his body.

New Slippers

When I saw these slippers I just had to get them for Julius. They make his feet look 12 times bigger than they are. So cute!

Lunchtime at Chez Russ

It's lunchtime at Chez Russ and we're having "Dino Sketti" and peas. I'm sure you'll want the recipe for the spaghetti so here it is...

Brown (nearly burned) 1/2 pkg polish sausage cut into half circles (the dinosaur meat). Seriously it's way better if the meat is super cooked.

Pour in one jar of Prego Ricotta and Parmesan sauce. Simmer until the kids are crying because they're hungry.

Serve over pasta of choice (cooked!) and serve with a veggie so your mother doesn't yell at you for feeding the kids nothing but carbs.

Boyz in the Hoodies

Julius wanted me to take a picture of him and Tristan in their hoodies. Tristan was uncooperative. He's developed a terrible temper and throws himself backward when he doesn't get his way. He's got a new trick now that when you pick him up against his will he raises his arms so he slips through your hands. He did that to me for the first time yesterday and I nearly dropped him. I hate when a baby is smarter than me! (Unfortunately that is happening more and more often these days!)

First Cold Day

The mornings are finally beginning to get cold. Today was the first day that it was cold enough for Tristan to wear his very first set of winter gear. Here he is sporting some sort of animal hoodie that none of us can identify. Julius says it makes him look like a baby rhinoceros only soft and cuddly.

Banking for Big Boys

Julius is a frequent saver thanks to the Johnny Appleseed club. Today he made a deposit for himself and for his brother so they could get their mood pencils which turn colors when they heat up in your hand. And digging through the sucker basket. Life is good.

Pirates

The boys are playing pirate in their ship. Tristan is a little young to be a pirate in my opinion but Julius has assured me that "he's part of the crew." He has a million and one things clipped to his waistband and walks by muttering, "Boy, you have to carry a lot of stuff when you have a baby on the ship." I'll say!

A Stay Home Day

Tristan had a fever so he stayed home with his dad today. Here he is at breakfast eating pancakes, fruit and cheese. I can't remember if you're supposed to feed the fever or starve it, but with Tristan he always chooses the option involving food.

Happy Birthday Jemiah

Julius was not interested in having his picture taken at Jemiah's birthday party. So here he is behind his balloon.

From Daycare

Crazy horserider picture from the daycare lady. What's with that nose?

Sushi Eater

Julius has a sophisticated palate for an American four year old.

Shoe Dunnit

I bought Tristan his first pair of shoes and he refuses to walk in them. My mom says I waited to long to put him in shoes. So I'm trying plan B and got him a pair of soft soled mukluk slippers which he also hates but at least he will sort of walk in them. Here he is trying to get them off.

Sushi Chef Donna

We're having sushi at the office today and Rob has shown Donna how to make a California roll. Here she is at her first attempt. YUM!

Chicks Dig Good Hygiene

Last night Julius bathed, powdered, had us fix his hair. He brushed his teeth, dressed himself neatly. I asked him what was going on with all this new hygiene obsession. He said now that he has a girlfriend he wants to look nice. Girls like when boys are smelly he says.

Off to Daycare

Tristan waits patiently for his ride to daycare to commence. Life is good with a Spiderman chewtoy!

Goodbye Summer

The pool is down now, a sign that we've given up on summer for good. Hello Autumn! It's my favorite time of year!