This is Halloween

Darth Nater and R2-DZach

*Shout out to Nana for finding the perfect boots for Nate's costume!

Halloween was a 2-day occasion this year. On Tuesday we got together with Grams and Gramps and all their "greats." Left to right there is: Devon, Seth, Lauren, Kenna, Chase, Zach, Grams, Sophia, Nate, Merrick, Gramps, Grace, Ethan & Isabel.

Today we went to Daddy's work for a lunch potluck/party. There were a few other kids there and Nate had a good time being chased by another little boy.

Ryan had to work till late so I decided not to do a big venture out and just trick-or-treat our block and pass out candy. I cut Zach's costume up the back so it would look cool in my bjorn. Unfortunately the second house we went to had a scary display with scary guys in masks so Nate was done. I couldn't even get him to walk past the scary house, he just kept saying "Pink house, pink house!" (that's how he refers to our house) So we gave up and went home to pass out candy and Nate loved it! He got so excited every time kids came to the door. All in all it was a nice, easy Halloween.

Eating - take 1

Yesterday I tried giving Zach food for the first time. I was gonna hold out for 6 months cuz he is gaining weight well, it lowers risks of allergies and well, that's what I did with Nate. I thought Zach was ready because he was totally reaching for food and seemed to give a look like he knew what was going on when he watched us eat. Anyways it didn't happen. I gave him the super yummy rice cereal and water mix and when I put the spoon in Zach just let it dribble out and gave me a look like "What are you doin?" I thought he'd just eat it up because that's what his brother did

This picture looks like he's grubbin down but he only wanted the spoon. So maybe he's just not ready, I'll try again in a couple of days. I really don't want to mix his cereal with formula because 1 - he's never had formula and 2 - I want him to be able to eat it with water because that's easier to make when you're out.

Monster pumpkin

We carved our big pumpkin today. Nate said he wanted a monster face so I did my best.

After we had it carved Nate wouldnt stand next to it for a picture cuz it scared him a little (I guess I did such a good job at making it scary) But then when he saw Zach next to it he was OK.

I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman

So on Wednesday Allison and I decided to brave the big park, 2 kids each and NO HUSBANDS! Not such a giant feat for Allison who does it all the time but it was my first time so I was proud of myself :) I even survived a nasty blowout from Zach and a giant #2 from Nate at the same time! I needed a major nap afterwards (that I didnt get) but we survived and I'd do it again, definitely.

We brought changes of clothes so the kids could get wet but the fountain was being worked on so it was just a trickle but the kids had fun. Here N8 and Kaitlyn enjoying some Cheetos that I had to buy at the liquor store on the way because I totally forgot our lunch bag with Nate's lunch, juice and all our snacks.

Zachy had a good ol' time hangin in the stroller and hangin off my belly.

This cute picture above is of all four of the kids asleep on the way home - ahhhh! And Allison kicked our butts on Buzz Lightyear.

5 Months Old

Oakhurst for the weekend

This weekend my folks and us headed up north (7 hours w/2 stops) to visit the Corbetts in Oakhurst and The Annual Chocolate and Wine Festival.

Nate was uber excited to see Jake for his "Hap Day to you." Here are all the kiddos at Jake's party: Luke, Jake, Nate, Zach & Bryawna.

A little Huggy action.

The view from Jenn's porch.

The Festival was cool too. We tried a bunch of different chocolates and came away with Huckleberry chocolate covered pretzels.

Here's Nate chomping on a chocolate covered banana/strawberry kabob.

Ryan and Dad tried some local wines.

Bass Lake in the background. Hat on baby = cute.

Darth Nater

Besides being completely obsessed with all thing Star Wars, N8 is fixated on Darth Vader. He loves his little Darth action figures the most, can mimic Darth breathing, and tries to hum the tune, "Doh doh doh doh..." So of course the obvious choice for a Halloween costume is Darth. I got him a toddlers outfit because it doesn't have a face mask and as long as I get a say, his face wont be covered (I know it's coming when he'll just want to be a ninja for 5 years in a row) The above picture is when Uncle Joel put Ethan's mask on Nate at Chase's party (I love that you can see his little eyes in there) Stay tuned for Halloween pictures of Nate Vader and little Zach as R2-D2.

A wet day at Disneyland

Monday we met the entire Reynolds clan at the park for a little Mickey action. Before we even did anything fun, I got to experience a #2 leak on Zach's diaper (good thing I pack a few extra outfits), a #1 leak on Nate's diaper (had a t-shirt but no extra shorts so he went bottomless for a while) and a temper tantrum at lunch time - yea!

So then we headed over to the Redwood Creek play area where Nate decided to run, kick and crawl thru the water - his shorts had just dried so now I guess they were "clean" but wet again so we took them off to dry again. So then the group (minus those with babies) went on Soaring and my mom took Nate (shortsless). Afterwards we saw Turtle Talk (with now-dry shorts)

Then we split up again and took Nate over to the Bug's Life Puddle Park where I was smart enough to take his shorts off before he soaked himself and had the best time ever. Side Note: how did I not know about the Puddle Park before today? We always stop at the little farm water area but this place was much better (shady benches for moms in a non-wet area) I guess I just walked past it before.

Grandma Chris

Ryan's Grandma Chris went to heaven today. We will miss her.