Happy Halloween!

Over the Halloween weekend we were in Portland visiting Ben's parents. We came back home on Halloween Day so we didn't do much trick-or-treating. However, on the night before we left, Ben's brother, wife and nephew came over so we could dress the kids up. Our nephew, Eli, was 10 months old in these photos so this was his first Halloween. The two cousin "bugs" are truly "as cute as a bug!"

Eli is "flying" just like a bee!

Back at our house a week after Halloween, Julia's sisters and their families came over and brought the kids' costumes so we could get pictures of all the kids dressed up. First off, here's Gretchen being a silly bug.

The backside of the costume is just as cute as the front.

It was almost impossible to get a good photo of all the kids so here are a few funny ones. Callia is a raindrop, Fin is a monkey, and his new baby sister, Clara, is a banana!! Clara is only 5 weeks old in these photos as she was born Oct. 4. I just want to eat her up! :)

Gretchen's 2nd Birthday

Gretchen turned 2 and we had a fun party with local family members. Recently she really likes Minnie Mouse so that's the theme we went with.

Unfortunately Ben couldn't be at the party due to being out of town for training.

This mom is quite proud of her little girl!

Nana dressed in pink to match the birthday girl.

Four generations - each firstborn girls.

Proud grandparents of three darling kids.

Cousins - Fin, Gretchen, and Callia

Girl cousins!

Three sisters with the birthday girl (and all dressed in pink).

I had to include this photo because everyone has a funny expression!

Opening gifts with the help of Callia!

Opening a gift with Mom.

Wow, a Magnadoodle!

Minnie Mouse cake.

Ohh, blow out those candles!

Yay!

What kid can't resist sticking a finger in frosting!

A loving mom with one cute kid.

A video during the cake presentation:

Happy 2nd birthday, Sweet Girl!

A few days after Gretchen's birthday she had her two-year wellness check with the doctor. He is pleased with how well she is doing. She weighs 24.5 lbs (10th percentile) and her height is 34.5" (75 percentile). She's an active, obedient and joyful child. We are blessed with such a wonderful child!

Linking, Lining, Ballooning & Camping

Gretchen is becoming quite a "girly" girl as evidenced by her love of wearing bracelets. One day she had put on every link she could find as bracelets.

In the past, we've posted photos of various items that she lines up. Here she found every "wheeled" toy and placed them in the row like a train.

In early Sept we went to see hot-air balloons in the park. We were a bit late to see them all take off but one was still on the ground. While we were there, a couple balloons came in for landings.

Over Labor Day weekend we went camping with Julia's sisters and their families. Callia and Gretchen had fun running together while Fin (not pictured) tried to keep up. This was Gretchen's first camping trip and she did well. Unfortunately we didn't take many photos (just forgot to) so this is what we have from the trip:

Gretchen's getting big for the pack but Ben managed to carry her while hiking.

The lake was beautiful and we enjoyed many walks to the lake for fishing and throwing rocks.