Do you ever get the feeling...

...that if you buy something for your kid, your husband will use it more than your kid will?

ghosts of Halloweens past

Britt loves to look back on his spooky costumes from previous Halloweens. One of our favorite things to do as a family is to cook up a new scary costume every year. We've been planning this year's costumes since last October... so prepare to be spooked! :)
Britt's 1st Halloween: Gene Simmons {we just had to take advantage of that adorable 'tongue sticking out' phase}

Halloween #2: a mummy

Halloween #3: a spooky skeleton

Only 2 weeks left until we get to dress him up for Halloween #4!

what we've heard so far this week...

{I had to include a picture of the face he usually makes when he's talking, so you can imagine him saying all of this stuff}


"Mom, I wanted a gogurt, and you got me snackly what I wanted! We're on the same page, huh Mom?"

"Kaitlynn, you're getting crumbs all over town! You don't know how to eat cookies very good..."

Britt- "Mom, Superman is REALLY Clark Kent, and Batman is REALLY Bruce Wayne, and Spiderman is REALLY Peter Parker."
mom- "What do you think Captain America's real name is?"
Britt- (without a moment's hesitation) "Kenny."

"Marnie, as you can see by my claws, Wolverine is nearby."

Britt- "Mom, let's go to happy hour at Sonic and get a slushie."
Mom- "Maybe... do you know why they call it 'happy hour?'"
Britt- "Cause the stuff is cheap... but when it's not happy hour let's not go there, because then it's 'grumpy hour' and they spit in your drinks."

"Marnie, if Abbi's trying to get you, I'll defend you!"

"Mom! I can't believe they actually have a 'Thlipstones' cartoon at the library! It's just like my vitamins!"

(holding up his Wolverine claws) "Do I look like I could change diapers with these things?!"

{and my very favorite...}
"Grandpa, this milkshake is exquisite!"

It was a Sunny Day...

Around 11 years ago, Justin and one of his best friends sat in their art class and listened to a CD. If there's one thing Garrett gave us that we cherish a fraction as much as our memories of him, it was Sunny Day Real Estate. I bet he was there. :)





{the best part about going to shows at The Marquee is walking over Tempe Town Lake}

two-thirds of a year

Eight months ago we welcomed our Marnie Jayne into the world. It's been so fun having her around. At 8 months, Marnie:
*loves her brother and is thrilled that she's mastered crawling {so he can't escape her} :)
*has started waving when someone says "hi" or "bye-bye"
*claps when someone says "pat-a-cake"
*has decided that she thinks she can walk (although, she really can't quite yet)
*has explored nearly every inch of our house
*signs a few words (more, milk) and shakes her head 'no'
*has 2 teeth, and has only bitten me once (on my big toe, of all places...)
*LOVES bath time and squeals with delight when she hears the water running in the tub
*isn't a fan of baby food (which is a challenge because I'm used to Britt, who ate everything we ever gave him), but she's always willing to sample whatever Britt is eating (string cheese, pasta, cheerios, oreos, etc.)
*is a very sweet, cuddly, and full of smiles :)

Seeds, cake, and a superhero

You may remember my ode to Britt's sunflowers a few weeks ago. Last week we decided it was time to harvest some of the sunflower seeds. It was fun! I got a kick out of Justin chopping the flowers down with an ax (although, they were the size of small trees, so he had no other option). Britt learned an important lesson from us during the process of collecting, soaking and roasting the seeds, and now whenever he doesn't know how to do something he suggests that we "just google it." :)

We collected seeds from two sunflowers... so that means 2 down, 23 to go!


This week was my birthday which finally gave me a good reason to make a carrot cake (I have been craving one for 2 weeks, but just couldn't justify making two in a month). Everyone needs a superhero to help them blow out the candles. :) P.S. look how light MJ's hair is getting!

Who hasn't walked into their kitchen to find Wolverine enjoying a Crush Cup? :)