Keeping up with Fred-n-Sara

Wednesday, November 16

Fingerpainting!

Oliver wasn't so sure about it.

Then he figured out it was pretty fun.

Thursday, November 17

Nina likes to sleep right outside the kids' rooms. In this picture, she's in front of Laura's door.

Friday, November 18

Oliver is such a caring big brother. He loves to play with Laura.

Saturday, November 19

Just playing with some toys.

Sunday, November 20

Art class with Dad.

Monday, November 21

Good cookies make everyone smile. Especially Calvin.

See? Chocolate = smiles.

Tuesday, November 22
Today I helped out at Calvin’s preschool Thanksgiving Feast. It was a lot of fun to see him in his classroom with his friends. Oliver had a good time too. Now he’s asking to go to school too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 23

"Hey Mom! Look what the boys are doing!"

Sharing chips. Aren't they sweet? Except they weren't supposed to be snacking right before dinner.

Thursday, November 24
Happy Thanksgiving!!! My 30 days of thanks post had today’s pictures. Check it out here.

Friday, November 25
Since I stopped working retail, I’ve gone shopping on Black Friday. If you plan out what you are looking for and where to go beforehand, you can get some good deals. I got a good amount of our Christmas shopping done today. With the help of my sister and my little shopper.

Bargain hunter in training!

Saturday, November 26
Today’s pictures were posted here.

Sunday, November 27
I can’t really complain about Laura, she’s a good baby. Usually happy. She gets pretty fussy around 6:30, but that’s usually because she’s tired. Because she does not nap. The child will take two 20 minute naps a day if I’m lucky. I hope this changes soon. But like I said, I can’t complain, she sleeps better at night than Oliver did at her age.

So sleepy.

Monday, November 28
Fred had the day off today, so we decided to put up our Christmas decorations. First up, the tree.

Mickey Mouse and Superheros. Two of Oliver's favorite things.

Putting ornaments on the tree.

Tuesday, November 29

With the weather around here, you need to be ready for luaus and winter cold.

Wednesday, November 30

A month later and he's still eating Halloween candy.

Most of these pictures contain smiles. And most of them contain cuteness. That’s how we roll here.

Tuesday, November 1

Wednesday, November 2
You see all these cute pictures of our kids, so I’m betting you sit around wondering what Fred and I do once the kids are in bed. You probably think we collapse with exhaustion, right? Nope. I’ll show you what we do, just about every night:

This. Usually I'm on the empty side of the couch playing on the computer or reading a book. Sometimes we watch tv instead. So exciting, right?

Thursday, November 3
Today was Fred and my 4th wedding anniversary. We didn’t do anything big. Instead we took the kids out to eat to one of our favorite family restaurants. But I did get a little surprise from my wonderful husband!

Fred got me 24 BEAUTIFUL red roses!

Friday, November 4

Cal reading one of his favorite books to his sister.

Saturday, November 5
Since I am home all day now, I’ve gotten adventurous with baking. I’ve tried my hand at bread, even building up a sourdough starter to make bread, rolls, and lots of other goodies. I also decided to get some pie pumpkins and try my hand at pureeing pumpkin for pie and lots of other fall treats (none of which Fred will eat, so I can only make what I know I’ll have help eating!) After baking and pureeing the pumpkin, I couldn’t let the seeds to to waste.

Roasted pumpkin seeds; salted goodness!

Sunday, November 6
No picture.

Monday, November 7

Look at that pouty face!

Laura really wants that caterpillar toy.

With a little convincing, from me, Cal showed her how it worked.

Tuesday, November 8
Because Cal didn’t have school today and it was beautiful outside, we had a picnic at the park. As soon as we got there Cal’s glasses broke. Can you see how he was trying to hold them on? Poor guy had to play without them on the playground after lunch. He did surprisingly well running around without them.

Picnic at the park.

Enjoying a little sunshine.

Wednesday, November 9

This girl loves to be on the floor. She also loves chewing her fist.

Thursday, November 10

Drawing. With an orange marker. Or smelling it. Either way, he's occupied.

Friday, November 11

Oliver was showing Laura how to "play cars."

Saturday, November 12

Sunday, November 13

Monday, November 14
No picture

Tuesday, November 15

I was trying to take Laura's picture. But I guess Oliver thought he should be in it.

This was the picture I was trying to take.

I can’t believe I let myself get so very behind…

Monday, October 17
Today Fred had the day off, so we took a little trip up to a local (well, kind of local at 2 hours NW of home) safari park. One that you drive through and feed the animals. I have to say, that although it was my idea, I was terrified that our new van would end up scratched or worse. Thankfully, the only thing that got scratched was Oliver. And that was because he tripped and fell. It wouldn’t be normal if he didn’t.

He's going to have a permanent scar under his nose. He always gets hurt in that same spot!

Did you know buffalo love carrots?

This guy followed us through the whole park. He was really hungry.

Kisses for Oliver from a deer.

And one for Calvin too.

I'm glad Fred was driving. I spent most of the ride in the back row with Laura and the camera. Safe from buffalo slobber!

The car, while covered in slobber and animal goo, came out of the park without a scratch! And we all had a great time. This was a family trip we will definitely take again.

Tuesday, October 18

After picking Cal up from school we stopped at a local park and took a little walk. Oliver likes to walk behind us and pick up leaves.

Wednesday, October 19

Thursday, October 20

Waiting on her brothers to get ready to do. As usual. What's not usual? The laughter in her carseat. She's usually not a fan.

Friday, October 21

Oliver loves this little baby doll. I hope he realizes it belongs to his sister.

Saturday, October 22
Today we did a little pumpkin carving.

Cal scooping out the "goop"

Oliver had his own pumpkin to scoop.

They turned out pretty good, I think!

Sunday, October 23

Doesn't everyone check their email from their baby bath tub?

Monday, October 24

Crabwalking through the house.

Tuesday, October 25

Seeing my boys play together melts this mommy's heart.

Wednesday, October 26
Tonight we went Trick-or-Treating at the nursing home Fred’s grandfather lives in.

Trick or Treat is serious business!

Sweetest candy corn I know!

Yep, serious business.

Thursday, October 27
Today was Cal’s Halloween party at preschool. While all the kids had cute costumes, I thought his was the cutest, just look at that little red scarf! I’m probably a little biased though.

Our little airplane at his preschool Halloween celebration.

Friday, October 28

Oliver likes to keep his sister entertained. Today he's offering alphabet letters. He knows if she's happy, he'll be able to play longer!

A little play-doh in the sun.

Saturday, October 29

Neighborhood trick or treat!

Sunday, October 30

Home made foccacia bread. Yum!

Monday, October 31
The boys like to play in my room in the morning. Today was no different. They were pretending to be “sleeping” and thought Laura would like to play too. She did. For a couple minutes.

Naptime?

Over the next two weeks, I hope to catch up on the last couple months of pictures. This post seems a little Laura heavy, that’s because she’ll sit still for a picture where the boys won’t anymore!

Saturday, October 1
Today was my sister’s wedding day! We were so busy enjoying the day and celebrating with her and her new husband that we didn’t really get any pictures, but here’s a couple someone else took!

Laura, getting her dress on.

Cal and Aunt Katherine.

Oliver and Mom

Fred and I were able to enjoy the night too.

Sunday, October 2
Today we spent some time with the newlyweds and my side of the family. It was nice to spend time with my brother and his wife, who live out of town.

She's not so sure about her Uncle Pat.

Monday, October 3

Wednsday, October 4

Wednesday, October 5
No picture

Thursday, October 6
We are taking advantage of every nice day that we have. Today we all played outside. Even Laura; I got out a blanket and laid her on the deck. Of course, the boys had to come see what she was up to, so we played around with the camera a little.

Kiss kiss!

Friday, October 7
Every night, right around dinner time, Laura gets crabby. This makes our sit down, family dinners a little rough, since either Fred or I have to hold her, either on our laps or in our arms while pacing during dinner.

I don't think she was happy with the dinner I cooked.

Saturday, October 8
Check out her new headbands. My friend has her own Etsy shop and sent Laura a few things.

Gingerbread girl.

Pumpkin.

And Pac Man. Because Fred loves his video games.

Sunday, October 9
Bath time is one of the most entertaining parts of the day here.

I'm not sure what was so funny.

Monday, October 10

Smile for the camera!

Say cheese!

Tuesday, October 11
Since Calvin started school, Oliver, Laura, and I have started a Tuesday errand ritual. We do grocery shopping and run any other errands we need to while Calvin is at school. Today we stopped at the post office then walked across the plaza to the grocery store. We stopped for coffee (for me) and donuts (for both of us really, Laura napped the whole time in her carseat; in the stroller) when we were done. It was a good morning!

Morning donut break.

Wednesday, October 12
Today, for the first time in a long time, I broke out the play-doh. It was rainy and the boys needed something to do! And after all was said and done, it didn’t go as bad as I imagined. We cleaned it up pretty well, and Oliver only ate a little bit

It's squishy!

Really, another picture?

Thursday, October 13
Today we went to see my cousin play football; he plays for his middle school team. And right before we left, I got a package in the mail with some new bows and clips for Laura from my good friend. I thought this one was appropriate.

Really a bow with footballs on it? Really?

Friday, October 14
Fred was off today, so we went to pick out pumpkins.

Little ghouls.

Oliver didn't trust Cal's driving.

The pumpkin patch wore Laura out.

Saturday, October 15
I’ve been craving a rootbeer float lately. No, I’m not pregnant, just somehow got thinking about the combination of rootbeer and vanilla ice cream. Yum.

The makings for a happy evening, thanks to Fred, who surprised me with all the important ingredients.

Sunday, October 16

Daddy's girl.

Yesterday we had our second Thanksgiving dinner with Fred’s parents. I was thankful for family and making good memories. Like these:

Cal was telling Grandma what and where to color.

Oliver had fun playing with Grandpop

And Laura liked sitting with Grandma.

I hope everyone had as great a Thanksgiving weekend as we did!