Recently...

Barrett's been playing soccer and it's been so fun getting to watch his first experience with team sports. They're the Green Giants, and two of his best friends are on the team with him (Tyler is pictured here - they're friends from school. Tyler is also the team ringer - he's crazy good, seriously.) Barrett probably enjoys practice more than the games, but he's getting better and better and it's fun to watch him improve and have fun. I love that if anyone falls down, on either team, Barrett runs over to say, "it's ok, come on!" and wave them back into the game. And he loves high fives and putting his arms around everyone whenever they gather. I smell a team captain in the making.

This picture pretty well captures life at home with these two. I love this one.

I know she's crying here, but I had to show how much she LOVES shoes!! No matter what else she's wearing, she'll come up to me with a pair of shoes and just stick her feet out until I put them on her. She's crying here because she also loves the camera - I had to take it away to take her picture and she wasn't having it. Not at all.

And finally one of her happy (which she usually is). Baby girl on Cinco De Mayo in the adorable dress that Mark and Erin got her for her birthday when they were in Mexico. Thanks! Love it. And her. The cutest.

First Birthday Party

Caroline now has an entire year behind her! Here's her official birthday shot. This is definitely the last monthly birthday shot - it's become really dangerous, she won't sit still and she just lunges for the edge immediately. A fantastic picture of her going to town on a mini-cupcake on her actual birthday. First cake - loving it with intensity.

First Birthday Party!! It was a polka dot party, and I loved her little party dress with polka dot leggings.

Grandma love.

Party favors, and you can see the poms I made in the mirror (and Grandma again - hi!)

Polka dot cake!

PRESENTS!!

Eating the official cake -much more dignified in front of company (:o).

...but still enjoying it quite a bit.

Wish we had gotten a family shot with Matt and Barrett in it. Thanks, Matt, for taking pictures! I think that some others got those shots, so hopefully we can get copies. Happy Birthday Caroline!!!

Because it's been far too long...

and they're far too cute. Here's Barrett dressed up as daddy
Love this look
And here's Caroline walking with her walker! She's getting so big, it's crazy. Make sure to watch until the end to see what life is like at home with Barrett (:o).

Milestones

Barrett's big milestone this month was relinquishing the paci once and for all! He has only been using it for sleeping since he was 2, but he is now completely paci-free. After a couple rounds of trying in months past, this time Barrett successfully handed it over and has been sleeping like a big boy for almost 2 weeks. Very exciting.

Also, he has become quite the artist. He's a perfectionist so he always wants to get the details right - he'll always correct you if you try to draw a face without eyebrows. Here's the Hulk. Those are his fists. He's smashing.
And Caroline had a big one this month - on Friday she pulled herself to stand for the first time, and then did it several more times just for good measure. I had been working with her a ton because I knew she was close, then Matt got home from work and I ran upstairs for maybe 3 minutes when I hear cheering downstairs. I missed it. I was grateful that at least she continued to show off her new skill so that I could see it the second and third times. She's growing up so fast. I haven't gotten the video of her standing on the computer yet, so I'll just share some adorable pictures. There's no shortage of those around here.

Halloween

Our kids are awesome. This pose was Barrett's idea. Love.

In keeping with the super hero theme, Caroline was Wonder Woman this year. Double love. Matt had a trick or treat at his office the Friday before Halloween (big fun), but Caroline's costume wasn't ready in time. I threw this together and it worked fine, but Matt was right when he said she looked like Wonder Woman if Wonder Woman was starring in a workout video from the 80's.

This was her completed costume. For the record, it fit perfectly and looked awesome. I somehow forgot, though, that infant costumes are kind of supposed to be comfortable.

So at T-minus 30 minutes, I figured out a way to make it more comfortable. Given the rush, I was pleased enough with how it turned out. Impossible not to make her cute, though, really.

Trick or Treating!

New Jersey!

We had a super fun and much needed family trip last weekend to visit Grandma and Grandpa Wood in New Jersey. Caroline did great on her first plane trip, and both kids had so much fun all weekend (and so did Mom and Dad!). Thanks so much, Grandma and Grandpa, for showing us such a great time and for creating the most inviting home - we love being there and already can't wait to come back! Here are some shots of the kiddos with their grandparents...

Swinging with Grandma

Walking through the woods with Dad and Grandpa
We went back to the beautiful farm where we visited during our last trip. Barrett was loving it.

Hay ride!

Cute Kids

No real reason to post. Just showin' off the kiddos and their growing friendship.