The Cavalry is Gone...

Last week, grandma and grandpa were here to spoil the boys (and us) for a week. Here are a few pictures. We all miss them so much already. Thanks for the visit g-ma and g-pa!

Thank Goodness for Photoshop

So this picture was from the pumpkin patch last weekend - and I totally loved it, except for the random kid in the background (which really was ridiculous, because there really weren't many people at this farm - the kid jumped in the picture on purpose, while his dad just watched... Hmmm). So, I did a quick lesson on Photoshop Elements - which I had used in the past, but never for this kind of thing and voila' - the jumping boy is gone. Kind of eerie, really, but yet, pretty cool. Andy asked if i could take care of some of the gray hair - I told him I didn't have THAT much time. Ha-ha.

Quintessential Pumpkin Patch Pictures

We had a very nice outing at the Pumpkin Patch again this year. Grandma and Grandpa got to join us. Here are the pictures.

First haircut and more walking

Eli got his first haircut on Thursday.

Ben got one also.

Here Eli is, walking up a storm...

And hanging out with grandma!

Moments after these pictures were taken, Eli crashed and scuffed up his face pretty badly. Poor kid. Daycare has jokingly requested that he wear a football helmet, as he has crashed there twice last week. Good thing kids heal pretty fast. He already looks better, just 2 days later.

Improvement!

With one more session of soccer left to go, Ben has hit his stride. He did a great job participating with his teammates this past Saturday - and he had a lot of fun! Maybe it was the increase in spectators this Saturday (2 sets of grandparents watching), or maybe he just started feeling comfortable. Either way - he had a lot more fun. Eli had a nice time entertaining us all with his cute-ness.

The 'Try to steal the ball from the coaches' game. There's Ben leading the pack (#28).

Another Milestone!

First a few pictures from the park/ backyard.

Here are some precious videos (sorry they're so dark) of Eli's first real steps tonight. It makes me teary to think about it...

The first ones just before dinner...


After dinner - gaining some confidence...

Quick Video

Here are a few Ben-isms from recent times that I wanted to get down before they left my mind.

1. A conversation in the car between Ben and I about 2 months ago:

Ben: (out of the blue) Where's our Christmas tree?
Me: We cut it up and put it in the yard debris bin (as a good Oregonian would)
Ben: So, now its at the dump?
Me: No - it gets recycled
Ben: We get to use it again?
Me: Yeah - they turn it into mulch
a slight pause...
Ben: I like shredded wheat.
Me: huh?
Ben: Gracie's nice.

Random thoughts from a 3 year old!


2. Today in the car - Ben had a wicked case of hiccups

Me: What was that noise?
Ben: I'm hicking up


3. A month or so ago - Ben: "I'll have to keep an eye out for it". Really? What 3 year old says this?


Eli updates:
1. Is very close to taking the official first steps!
2. Does the "more" sign very well
3. Plays peek-a-boo with one hand
4. Walked across the entire house today holding onto the front of Ben's shirt with Ben walking backwards... Very cute.
5. Is STILL cutting those darn molars!
6. Loves to play with my shoes
7. Likes to use (hold) a spoon but can actually get some yogurt in his mouth pretty regularly.
8. Has been very snuggley lately

Here's a video of Ben and Eli and their stomp rocket