The BIG reveal....

Last weekend we took the kids to Boo at the Zoo.  It was the kids' first time to wear their costumes, and you'd better believe the car was running and I was still inside with my glue gun finishing the costumes! 

I decided to make my own costumes this year.  It will be no big surprise to anyone that Caitlin wanted to be Elmo.  I bought her one at the store, but it just looked "plain", so I attempted a girly version of Elmo.  Since them I have gotten a new headband for her, but I am sort of in love with my homemade, cotton ball for eyes and a nose headband I made her.  I also made her fuzzy arms which crack me up...and leave a red trail where ever she goes!

Abigail wanted to be Abby Cadabby...and I LOVE a good theme (you may seem more of a theme on Halloween if Rob has enough beers).  I decided to attempt my first tutu (Caitlin's tutu is the same one we had made from a friend for her 1st bday).  Let me tell you....it is pretty easy and cheap to make a tutu!  The rest of the costume was mostly things she had, with the addition of the wings and fairy wand, and the puffy hair things I made (we need more puff for Halloween).

The girls had a fun day and loved their costumes! Looking forward to wearing them again the next few days!!!

So without further adieu...

Abby Cadabby:

And Elmo *girl-ified*

A few pics from Boo At The Zoo:

Sort of an aerobic, Sweating-to-the-Oldies feel to it....

Caitlin was insistant on a picture with Daddy...but likes to do this closed mouth thing when she's talking with him....

So there they are...my little Sesame characters!!!! 

Hope you are having as much with your gobblins as we are!

Sunny Acres

A few weeks ago, we met my friend Nicole and her two sons at Sunny Acres Pumpkin Patch.  Nicole and I brought Abigail and her son when they were less than a year, so it was fun to head back!  It was ridiculously warm for October, but it was a perfect day to be outside!!!

2011

2010

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We are hoping to head back this week and do some rides!!!!

Win a Leapfrog LeapPad!

What's better than an educational tool that keeps your child happy, entertained. learning, and having fun???

A free one!!!!  :)

Go here to try to win your own LeapPad  http://www.d-mom.com/leapfrog-leappad-review/

Win a LeapPad!!!

A lil elf gave Santa a little tip on how you can get a LeapPad for your sugarplum!!!!  It's on Santa's list for our nice girls this year!!!!

http://www.ourordinarylife.com/2011/10/leapfrog-leappad-giveaway/

LeapFrog LeapPad *Giveaway ends Nov. 20th*

Have you started your Xmas shopping??? We are beginning...and a Leappad is one of the things we are considering for Abigail! It seems cool!!!!

Want to win one???? Check it out:

LeapFrog LeapPad *Giveaway ends Nov. 20th*

My Big Girl

Yesterday while we were checking out at Meijer (great shopping experience by the way...love that store) Caitlin gave me her "sign" for potty.  I was NOT getting out of line, so I told her she could pick 1 candy out and when she goes potty at home, she can get it (I am NOT too proud to bribe my children)...

I'm sure you can see where this is going...we got home, I put her on the potty...and she went!  This little stinker was totally able to hold it and go on the potty when a Twix was involved!!!  That's Caitlin!

I am NOT interested in potty training yet.  I am probably going to do it over Xmas break when I am home more, but if Caitlin wants to start before that, we will!

The proud girl by her potty (which is empty in this picture by the way...)

Helping mommy and daddy make cookies!

Caitlin is getting so old too fast!  I really really want her to stay my baby, but apprently she's not good at listening!  Yesterday I made her card to send into Sprout (it's an educational channel they watch and they show homemade bday cards on kids birthdays) and it made me so sad to write "I'm 2".  We are having a small birthday with just cake...and lots of Elmo....and I can't believe I'm planning a birthday party for my baby!  (Do you think this mom is having issues with her girls getting old or what????)

Caitlin goes to her preschool playgroup once a week and LOVES it!  She also continues to get speech once a week.  We are working on her motor planning, which means she knows the words but she has a difficult time getting her lips to make the shape, so it all sort of sounds like gibberish!  She knows so much...both her therapists are always amazed at what she knows when they ask her, she just can't get those words out.  But she's getting better every day!  She has a reallly hard time with "m" sound (she can make it by itselft, but not when it's on a word except mama) but her "b" sound is getting better and her "dye dye" is almost a "bye bye" which is exciting! We continue to work about 30 minutes a day with her!  I am so happy I'm able to be home with her and work on this...stay-at-home mom gift for sure!!!!!

Caitlin continues to love life, and her big sister...and Elmo!  :)

A little update on my bug!

We Did It!

Over the weekend, my dad and I ran the Grand Rapids Marathon!

That's right...the ole man and I did 26.2 miles together!!!  (As my favorite sign said, "Because 26.3 would be CRAZY!)

It was a great weekend all together.  We arrived in Grand Rapids on Saturday afternoon.  The kids (and Rob and Aunt Katie) napped while while we hit the expo.  Then, we all headed to the local "establishment" to start our carb loading with some pumpkin ale!  :)  After that, it was off for pasta for more carb loading.  And we ended the night with the highlight for the kids....HOTEL SWIMMING POOL!

I should mention that it was cold and SO WINDY on Saturday, so we weren't sure what to expect for the race.

My dad and I headed out early Saturday morning for the start of the race...in the cold and rain.  But there was no wind so we felt hopeful.  An hour or so later, by the start of the race, the rain had stopped and we got the absolute perfect weather for a race...cool, no sun, no rain, no wind.  It was great!

My dad and I had a great race.  I have to say, my dad is an AMAZING runner.  From about mile 16-mile 22, I contemplated stopping many, many, many times!  But he kept me going!!!  I am proud to say we never stopped once to walk except through water stops!!!

The Grand Rapids Marathon is great.  There are so many fun runners who do this race.  Some of the highlights were:

-Our shirts!!!  My dad surprised me with shirts for the race.  My dad's said WINK and mine said SMILE because the song we danced to for my wedding was "We go together like a Wink and a Smile".  I LOVED IT!!!!!!!

-Pickle Juice around mile 16 and 20 (sounded gross but it was refreshing and awesome)

-Wedding at Mile 16

-My Team Triumps (runners who are pushing wheel chairs, it was amazing and I was inspired...more to come on that soon)

-Reading fun signs (Marathon runners run 26.2 because 26.3 miles would be CRAZY).

-Port-a-potty madness....let's just say we almost missed the start of the race.

-Ray, our running buddy!

This is my 7th marathon, and somewhere in the 40s for my Dad I think, but I can say this was a highlight for me.  I would say very, very, very few people are ever able to do something like run a marathon with their dad..and I'll always cherish it!

I should mention, we didn't do too shabby either.  We finished at 3:43:27, which is about 8:30mins/mile average.  My dad finished 6th in his age division and in the top 297 of the 894 men who ran.  I finished 15th in my age division and in the top 78 out of 712 women.  My dad also qualified for Boston...again! 

Seeing our amazing fans at Mile 4

Our biggest supporters

3 of the best cheerleaders

Cheering at the finish

So cute!!!  (But how did NO ONE fix her hat?????)

26.1 miles into it!  :)

Off to the finish line!

My amazing family who sacrifice a lot so I can follow my passion of running!

The highlight of the trip for these two!!!!  :)

Thank you to everyone for all your support, especially our amazing fans who traveled 3 states to cheer us on!  :)

No Mommies and Daddies Allowed!

On Sunday, Uncle B and Auntie MoMo took the girls on a date...no parents allowed!!!!

They headed to a fun pumpkin patch!!!!  Rob and I were a little jealous of their date...but we found plenty do keep ourselves busy with mommy running and shopping and daddy watching football!  :)

The girls had such a great day!!!!  And I'm pretty sure Auntie MoMo and Uncle B did too!  :)

Thank you so much Uncle B and Auntie MoMo for always making the girls feel so special and loved!!!!!

PS.  Chocolate did come out of the shirt!  ;)

Caitlin's Godfather picking out the BEST pumpkin!!!!

There is one extra pumpkin in this picture!  :)

We can't wait to have a new friend to play with in 20 weeks, Auntie Mo Mo!!! 

Moonshine! That one was for Daddy!

Reading a map!  These girls love a map!

Pig races and pig calls (I think)

Goat..not a lot to say about it....

Our lil pumpkins!!!!

Thank you so much for the special day!!!!  We love you!

Love, Caitlin and Abigail

Fall Fest

On Saturday, Julie, Joe, and I took the kids to the Cantigny Park Fall Fest (Rob was getting his car window fixed...long story about a rude person who apparently wanted his GPS so decided to break his window to get it...warning to those who leave your GPS out...DONT!). 

It was another beautiful fall summer day!  :)  Too hot to wear our pumpkin outfits again...it's killing me here!

Anyways, it was a really great festival they had.  It was $5.00 per car, and everything was included. The kids did the candy dive and the jumpy house.  There was also a petting zoo, face painting, hayride, scarecrow walk, etc. to do.

Abigail in the candy dive.  Caitlin wasn't so sure...

...so her big sister got her some candy!

Showing Lucy how pockets work!  They were really into pockets!

Our 3 love bugs!

Checking out the petting zoo (line was too long to actually go in there, but they didn't know the difference)

Jules, Joe and our Lulu

I love this peanut!!!!!

This fun activity was followed by our "Oktoberfest" (see below).  It was a great day!!!!

(Pumpkin Patch pictures with the Glures coming soon)

Happy Birthday, Grandma!!!!

Dear Grandma,

Happy Birthday!

We Love You!

"I love grandma because we play at her house with her potatoes!"  -Abigail

(?????  I have no clue....When I asked her what that means, she said "ugh, our potatoes mom!  OUR potatoes!"  Oh, that clears it up!)

"Why do you love grandma Caitlin" -Mommy

"Elmo!"  -Caitlin

(That's about right.....)

See you tonight!!!!  We love you!  Happy Birthday!

*Side note...Trying to get these 2 to smile together in this picture was so frustrating! 
Abigail imitated everything Jules or I did...and Caitlin was in her own world!