Trick or Treat

We had a lot of fun trick or treating this year. Eva and Julie went with us to a few houses and Eva was a huge hit in her lion costume. Sophia had a blast. She loves her basket and loved carrying it up to the doors and whispering "trick or treat". I swear, sometimes she is so quiet. I have no idea where she gets that from!

She had 2 favorite things of the night:

1. Her flashlight. She had a whole routine juggling it and her basket.

2. Fireworks. Yes, I did say fireworks. Some people down the street had leftover fireworks and set them out periodically through the 2 trick or treating hours. Sophia loves fireworks. She is not scared of them at all. She just yells, AGAIN, AGAIN! She is a funny little girl.

Looking so cute and grown up!

I love this picture of her. It captures her personality.

The sunflower's chariot

Sophia always loves seeing her Mimi.

Thanks to Gilbert for being the "candy man" (aka Willy Wonka). Cory and I were able to go trick or treating together. I loved that!

I love this picture with Eva reaching out to her big cousin.

What a big girl!

Riding home in style.

Annual Trip to Hubers

Cory's work has an annual trip to Hubers. Usually this happens in September but the date was changed due to some roof issues at Hubers. We were unsure if it was going to be rescheduled and finally heard that it was going to be this Sunday. It was a BEAUTIFUL day for it. The only wrinkle in the day is that I forgot my camera. That was so sad, but because of that, I was able to focus more on interacting with Sophia in the moment instead of worrying about photo ops. I did get a couple of pictures with my camera phone, so I apologize about the quality, but what can you do?

Highlights of the trip:

1. Sophia's lunch consisted of butter (yeah, I said butter), ice cream, and a cookie. Well rounded don't you think?

2. Went on the tractor ride to the pumpkin patch. She loved the ride and loved picking out her pumpkin. She picked a white one.

3. Went to the petting zoo. I was so proud/embarrassed that she knew just what to do since Mommy and Daddy were out of quarters. You pick up the corn from the ground to feed the animals. Yeah, she's done that one before. She is so loving with all creatures and it kind of "bit" her this year......

4. Got pecked on the finger by a chicken. She screamed but never cried. What a strong little girl.

5. Went on a pony ride. I thought she might be a little freaked out. After all, it was her first time even being that close to a pony. Nope, not at all. Half way around the first lap she said, "Let go of me, Mommy. I okay". The second lap she had only one hand on the saddle and was petting the pony with the other.

6. Went down the slide so many times with Daddy. She loved it. Last time we went (with the Banets) she wouldn't consider going down without her Daddy. Not this time. She told Cory that she would do it herself and came whizzing down the slide at full speed. What a difference a few months makes.

We had a great time. I love going on these little trips with her when she is 2. It is so much fun. This has definitely been my favorite age so far. (but I think i have said that at every stage)

Her pumpkin! I love that she picked the $3 pumpkin size. I knew we were doing something right!

As you can see (barely) she is pumped. Can't wait to get up again and go back down the slide. Not even looking behind to check out where Daddy is.

Yeah! One great pic with the camera phone.

Trick or Treat at the Zoo

On Saturday we ventured out to the zoo for trick or treating. We were supposed to meet up with Angie and Jill, but that didn't quite work out (see their blogs for coverage on that). We almost didn't make it though due to a 3:30 wardrobe malfunction that included a ripped seam on the front of the costume. Luckily, I know of a GREAT seamstress/crafty/fix-it woman, Mimi, and was able to race to her house, she fixed the costume, and we only left 5 minutes late. I think Mimi deserves a big reward for that one. I am still thinking about what it should be. Once we arrived at the zoo, we had a great time and were there for about 2 hours. Sophia was so into the whole idea of trick or treating. It took us a while to walk around because she didn't want to ride in her stroller. She wanted to walk holding her basket like the big kids were doing. She is getting so BIG. I have to say, that she was by far, the most beautiful sunflower that I have ever seen. Her basket that Mimi expertly put together was a big hit. Sophia and Daddy snacking on some popcorn as we travelled. I absolutely love this picture of her!!! She loved the 3 little pigs but was concerned for the third little pig that was all by himself. She decided he needed a hug. She is such a sweetie!! Loving looking at the animals that were out. I thought these costumes were great but Sophia was not a fan. She wouldn't even look at the camera. Asserting what a big girl she is. Trick or treating by "herself". I think this picture is so funny. It looks like Cory is trying to hit on the Cheshire cat. What a smooth one he is.

Gymnastics Update

Just wanted to share a couple of pictures from gymnastics of our gymnast in action. The pictures are a little dark because of the way their lighting is, but you can see how much she loves doing it. Thanks to Dena for the leotard. It is her favorite one. She doesn't say that it has smiley faces on it, she calls it her "funny faces" leotard.

Getting some last minute instruction from Daddy.

Doesn't she look so professional with no help from Daddy and her hands on her hips?

Daddy's Girl?

Now, people frequently tell me that Sophia looks a lot like her Daddy. I am not so sure. I will let you be the judge.

Caution ladies.... this is a really hot picture of Cory. Remember, he is all mine.

Cory circa 1981

Sophia Grace circa 2008

Baby Cissell

Finally..... The much awaited ultrasound. I have been so anxious about this ultrasound. I really, really wanted to know whether we were having a boy or a girl but was also very uneasy about the health of the baby. You would think that I would be more relaxed about it the second time around but I just kept thinking that Sophia is so healthy.....can we be that lucky twice?

My mom met Cory and I at the office. The measurement part came first. It seemed like that took FOREVER! Then we saw all the organs. Everything looked good. We have a healthy baby. Then we saw something else.... what was that? I didn't see that the last time. Yup. It's a boy!!! It will be so fun to have both a boy and a girl. Although this little boy is going to have to learn his "handy man" talents from someone other than his parents. I also found out that I was a little farther along than we had thought. BONUS! The new due date is February 24. We are all really excited.

And in case you are reading this Kristin, Sophia says, "I am going to have a baby brober (brother) just like Austin". They are destined to be married one day.

Now, that is a good looking boy!

Any doubts?

Birthday Party

Sophia has been talking about having a birthday party and birthday cake for about a week now. It is nowhere near her birthday or near anyone's birthday in my family, but she wanted a cake so bad, that I said we could make one. I was at a loss as to who's birthday it could be but then Mimi came over and saved the day. She brought each of the girls a treat bag for Halloween and Sophia's had a little cat in it. Perfect. Sophia named the cat Abby and then Abby had a birthday party. Sophia decorated the cake with Diego decorations since those were Abby's favorite. We even sang Happy Birthday to Abby. Thank you to Mimi, Aunt Juju, Baby Eba (or Eva), and Daddy for playing along and joining in the singing. Sophia was very proud. I love having a 2 year old. It is so much fun!!!

I think she has a future in cake decorating. What do you think, Jen?

Singing to the birthday cat

Yummy cake!

The birthday cat's first photo. Let us know what size and how many copies you want.

The Gymnast Graduates

Friday was the last day of this session of gymnastics. Both the girls did really well. Sophia finally worked up enough courage to go down the big, green slide. She went down 5 times!! Mimi came to observe how much fun Sophia has during gymnastics and Sophia kept pointing at Mimi and saying, "That's MY Mimi!" Afterwards, Miss Shelly gave each of the kids ribbons. The girls were very excited about them. Cory was trying something new with the camera, so I couldn't pick just one of the pictures to post.

Aren't these ribbons cool?

Can you see my ribbon?