Summing up September

September had been an interesting month for us. We have all been getting used to our new routine of Jared being at school a good portion of every day. Tori, Garrett, and I have said goodbye to most of our summer fun and are starting to embrace things that Fall brings along with it. And in all of our busyness, we just try and grasp as many moments together as possible! Here are a few of those moments!
One day, I went to get Garrett up from his nap and found this- all of his and Tori's clothing all over the floor. My favorite thing about this picture is how proud Garrett looks about his accomplishment!!!

Mommy and Daddy's bed is a fan favorite of Tori and Garrett!

Tori was so excited to discover how to make a new funny face!

At the first of the summer, Aunt Krista gave us a family video of trips we all took last summer. Out of the blue, Tori has been requesting this movie- she loves that she knows everyone in it! And Aunt Krista picked some awesome music- it makes for a great dance party!!!

It cracks me up that she can get herself all wrapped up like this!

A couple of Indians taking a bath!!!

We always check on our kids after they have fallen asleep- and now we have even more reason to do so! One night, we found Garrett asleep with his pillow, blankie, and friends off his bed in the closet! I really wish we could have seen how much help Tori gave in the process of his relocation!

We have a football fan on our hands!!!

I love it when they are happy kiddos!

Tori and her circle railroad track- she was so proud of herself for making it!!!

These two are getting to be pretty good at playing Mario Party!

One morning, Tori was busy doing something in the kid bedroom. Then she came out into the loft, took Garrett by the hand, and escorted him into their room. I sneaked a peak around the corner and saw this- Tori had set up a tea party just for Garrett and his friends!!!

Love this girl and all her accessories!!!

Chill even when sleeping!

That's one way to take a horsey ride!

Our kids can fly!!!

We have had so many new adventures this past month- kind of excited to see what October brings our way!

Little Miss Creativity

Over the past few weeks, Tori has hit a phase of really wanting to create things much more than she ever has. It has been so neat watching her come up with her ideas and then figuring out how to make them happen! The first big project was making her headbands that Uncle Jer, Aunt Kim, and London gave her for her birthday. When we started, I figured she would want lots of suggestions- nope. Not at all. With each headband, she would hand me the ribbon or accessories that she wanted on it and tell me how she wanted it to look. I just did the gluing.
And here they are- Tori did such and amazing job coming up with these designs all by herself!

Tori couldn't wait to share her headbands with her friends! (I love how they each have several on at one time!)

When I asked Tori to open her eyes for the picture, this is what I got back!!!

After the headbands, Tori turned to paper creations. She has discovered the joy of gluing things together and adding things to her drawings- especially buttons!

She has been feverishly making birthday cards for all of her (stuffed) friends! She was so excited to add some flowers and buttons to this one!

And here is the inside!

I have been so fascinated watching Tori draw her very first people- so fun!

Here are a few more of her people!

Buttons, buttons everywhere- Tori loves buttons!!!

Here is the inside of this card!

Lots of coloring and accessories- fantastic!

Bunches of flowers!

One this one she discovered the joy of adding bling and brads!

I love watching Tori create! It is so neat to see that talent in her- I hope it is something she never lets go!!!

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Tomorrow is National Talk Like a Pirate Day- argh!!! Since Jared doesn't get home on Thursdays until after the kids are in bed, we decided to have our pirate festivities today! I have been so excited about it and figured the kids would be, too. When I told Tori what we were doing she looked at me and said, "I'm a Tori girl and I don't like pirates." Well, at least Garrett seemed excited to be pirates for the evening!

We started out by making pirate hats and figuring out our pirate names! Let me introduce you to Dirty Harry Kidd!

And here is Captain Mary Bonney (aka Pirate Princess Tori- the name she gave herself!)!

I went by Dread Pirate Kidd for the evening! (I think we need to find a new website next year with a few more last name options!)

And Jared was our Captain James Rackham! (Definitely our most piratey looking pirate!!!)

I think we need a little help with our pirate hats for next year as well- the kids' hats were pretty sad!

For dinner we went all out and ate with our hands! I know, very pirate-esque!!! When we told Captain Mary Bonney (aka Pirate Princess Tori) our plans she boldly stated, "I like silverware!" And went to get herself a spoon. Maybe this idea will catch on a little more next year! However, she was super excited that she ate her toast with her hands- progress!!!

All-in-all, we had a very pirate-filled evening with tons of swashbuckling fun! And just remember, "a pirate says arghhhh!!!"

Playdoh Fun

Today, we finally did something I have been meaning to do for such a long time- make our own playdoh! And then playing with it, of course!

Tori was a pro playdoh stirrer! 

Tori gave a great demonstration on how to make a ghost!

 Garrett was very intent on his work!

Tori loved using the cookie cutters!

What a great silly face!!!

 Garrett was so proud of himself!

Yeah, Garrett's silly face!

 Garrett started out rolling his playdoh ball and ended up finding a bug!

I think this may have been Tori's best silly face! (I love that she is holding her tongue out!)

Tori, Garrett, and I had a fantastic time playing with our playdoh! But the very best thing about this afternoon was just hanging out and spending time together- priceless!!!

Hangin' with Daddy

Even though Jared had been extremely busy with his PhD program, he makes sure to give Tori and Garrett as much time as he can- and they love every second!!!

Sometimes they just chill together!

Or have a grand time playing together!

Sometimes, Tori and Garrett get extreme horsey rides!!!

One, two, three- whee!!!

And there's always lots of sharing great stories!

I love this one so much!!!

There's always enough room on Daddy's lap for everyone!

Tori and Garrett, you guys are so lucky- you have the best Daddy in the world!!!

Splash Pad

This year, Hummell Park put in a new splash pad. The first time we went, this was as wet as Tori got- maybe a little toe got a tiny drop of moisture on it!

And Garrett wouldn't even let us put him down on the wet pavement. Sometimes we have wimpy kids when it comes to water! Now on to visit number two. Garrett was okay if I was holding him!

And Tori would at least get her hands in this time!

Yeah for some fun pictures of all three of us!

Tori loved playing by the fountains when the water turned off!

This is what Garrett did every time I put him down!

They both thoroughly enjoyed snack time on the dry blanket!

Garrett finally found something fun to do- run up and down the hill!

I am loving Tori's running skip!

So, today was our third visit (I was so excited to find out it was still running)- and it was the charm!!! Tori willingly got her face in the water!

Garrett was on the ground, playing with the water- miracles do happen!!!

He was even smiling!!!

It was so much fun watching Garrett love the water today!

Waiting for the fountain to come back on!

Yeah, they both played in the water! (I think we should sign Tori up for some square dance lessons!!!)

It's kind of hard to get a drink when your fountain is so little!

This one worked out much better! (I'm sure the water isn't that dirty, right?!)

When we were done, the kids hung out on this "chair"- as Garrett called it!

Hurrah for finally having a great day at the splash pad!!!