Halloween

Annika decided she wanted to be Superman for Halloween so I found this super cute costume on Etsy. Derek and I decided to have Asher be Clark Kent.  We actually had everything for his costume except the glasses.  My friend Jody made them for him and they were so very cute!  We started the day with Annika's Halloween party at her school.  All the kids got dressed up and then went trick or treating in the church.  After trick or treating the kids had snack and played games.  It was so fun to watch her at her school and be around all the other kids.  

After the party we headed over to see our friends Belinda and Kris.  Belinda was very generous with the candy with Annika.  I'm pretty sure she would have let Annika take every piece if she wanted!  They were also so nice and gave Annika a very cute dog purse and Asher the cutest outfit.  

Then it was time to head home and do some trick or treating around our neighborhood.  This was one of my favorite nights last year so I was very excited about this year.  We had a great time!  Jan came over to hang out with Asher and Derek and I took Annika out.  She was a little shy at first but about three houses in she was all about it.  She loved going up to the door and saying trick or treat, until we stopped at one house that had a motion sensor that made monster sounds.  She was so scared!  Good thing we were almost done because we had to carry her up to the houses after that!

Overall the day was perfect.  Happy Halloween!

Years Past

 Every year at the pumpkin patch we take a picture to see how tall Annika is.  Here are the pictures from the past few years.

October 2012

October 2011

October 2010

Pumpkin Patch

We decided to take advantage of Derek's last day home with a trip to the pumpkin patch.  It was cold, but we decided to brave it anyway, and I'm so glad we did.  We tried a different patch this year, simply because it was free!  It was great though.  They had a ton of pumpkins, chickens, cows, and a great playground for the kids to play on.  It was our first real outing with just us four and it went pretty well.  It was fun to see Annika be so excited about being somewhere.  She knew exactly what to do and that she wanted a baby pumpkin!

Love

We had Annika's pictures take a few weeks ago.  The weather that morning was ridiculously cold, and Annika wasn't wanting much to do with the whole session.  That being said, our photographer, Megan, did a great job of getting some fantastic shots.  Thank you so much Meg.  We always love the pictures you take for us.  

Asleep

When Derek went in to check on Annika before we went to bed, this is what he found.  She spent about an hour before she fell asleep reading to her babies and Asher's new stuffed dog.  Apparently, she was just too tired to put her book away before she fell asleep.

Park Fun

We decided to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and have a picnic in the park.  It was Asher's first real outing, which he slept right through.  We all had a good time and really enjoyed being outside on such a great day.

Great-Grandma Beazie

Derek's Grandma Beazie came in town from Arizona to visit right after Asher was born.  It was nice to see her, and have her meet Asher for the first time.  She hadn't seen Annika since Annika was about 7 months old.  I thought Annika might be shy around her, but she wasn't at all.  She loved being around her and I think the feeling was mutual.  I know we loved having her here and hopes she comes back soon.  

Monster!

Annika's imagination has really started to expand within the last couple months.  Her favorite game to play right now is monster.  One person is the monster and they chase the other person.  She loves this and could do it for hours, or at least what feels like hours!  

Derek, the Monster!

Annika, the Monster! 

Monster face and hands.

"Stop Monster!" 

Hiding from the Monster.

Telling the Monster to stop!

So scary!

Love the face!

Going Home

 Once we got the all clear, we packed up and got ready to leave the hospital.  Derek picked out the shirt he wanted Asher to wear home, but, because Asher was a little smaller than we thought he would be, the shirt and jeans were a little big.  But, we decided to put him in them anyway.  I think he looks like a little man and is pretty cute!