Pumpkin Carving

We may have picked our pumpkins plenty early this year, but when it came to getting them carved, we were a little slow. Even with Max's daily pestering, it just didn't seem like the right night until we just about ran out of nights completely. Pumpkin carving is usually something I don't like to delve into without Sam, but with only two days left before Halloween we launched into them as soon as the boys got home from school. 

It took Max about 30 seconds to decide on a design and another 30 seconds to get to work. That's just Max's style--he has an idea and he goes forward with confidence. 

Reed on the other hand is always methodical in his plans and usually has something very specifc (and sometimes unattainable) in mind.  After much discussion and deliberation he decided on a design but not in time to actually get started on it before football practice. Thinking and planning are definitely among his strong suits....timely execution could use a little work sometimes.

Not sad...just focused.

That's my happy boy. He really was thrilled to finally get to carving. Waiting for anything has always been a bit of challenge for Max.

Ruby wasn't sure what she wanted, but she was sure she didn't want to be left out.

I wish I would have gotten pictures of Max's face when he was pulling out the pumpkin guts. He was pretty grossed out. It was the only part of the entire process that he would let me help with.

Within 24 hours the pumpkins were all complete. Max with the zombie vampire pumpkin, Reed with his face of flames and Ruby with her kitty cat (thanks to her doting father).

Pumpkin Pick'n

To avoid having our blog become too Harlow-centric I thought I better post about some of our whole family happenings as well...even if it was from a few weeks ago. October is always a favorite month in our house. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the Halloween calendar I made a few years ago (I really should get a picture of that for posterity) with pockets for each day of the month. Just about every day (I'm not perfect) includes a note to let the kids know what craft, treat, activity or family outings the day will include. It doesn't always work out perfectly. In fact, some days my plans turn into a borderline disaster, but for the most part a good time is had throughout the month.

Of all the October happenings, one of our very favorite Halloween activities is picking out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. The kids look forward to it all month, and I enjoy it as well since it's a fun family activity that requires no advance preparation and, as a bonus, lots of picture taking opportunities.

Ruby was just a little bit excited to be there...

And she wasn't the only one.

Taking the tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch is half the fun.

I was trying to get a picture of Max here, but Ruby seems to have a natural reflex to turn towards the camera whenever it's near.

She just can't help it. Poor Max.

I really appreciated Sam hanging on to Harlow the whole time. I've taken pictures while holding her before and it's not the easiest thing in the world.

Harlow seemed quite interested in Sam's green pick.

Picking out a pumpkin for Max was no problem...carrying it, however, was a different story. That's what happens when you're only real criteria is that your pumpkin be as big as possible.

Ruby tried a few out before making her final decision. This was one of the top contenders.

Sam and our little pumpkin head.

Max doing his best to hang on to his heavy selection until the tractor came back around.

Reed took the longest to find his. He was searching for something unique.

He finally decided a pumpkin with one green side was unique enough.

When Ruby noticed me taking pictures of her with her pumpkin she immediately went into pose mode. With beautiful light, my adorable girl, and a field of pumpkins, how could I resist snapping away? I think Ruby loves the camera as much as the camera loves her.

When the tractor finally made it's way back, Ruby was sure to let me know I needed to hurry on over. Telling people what to do is her other passion in life.

One thing I can say about Harlow is that she is always taking it all in. She has been wide eyed and attentive from day one.

Everyone enjoyed the ride back.

Reed, undoubtedly explaining to Sam the process he used to select his "perfect" pumpkin.

Reed insisted on using a wagon to "haul" his pumpkin the 15 foot distance to the car. He got way too much pleasure out of it to tell him not to.

Ruby, however was happy to keep her pumpkin close.

A trip to the pumpkin farm just wouldn't be complete without the fresh apple cider doughnuts they cook up to order. I'm not sure what the thumbs up and thumbs down was all about. We all agreed they got a big thumbs up.

Where is a tripod when you need one...or a friendly passer by? Setting the camera on the back of the car was the best we could do for a family photo. I guess I will have to be remembered a little blurry because for whatever reason I could only get the self timer setting to wait 2 seconds. The kids thought it was pretty funny to watch me dash and miss the picture. It was worth it to get a real smile from Reed.

Yes, October can turn into a self-inflicted crazy month for us, but looking at these happy faces I'm already looking forward to next year.

Harlow 5 months

Uggg...I just can't seem to get this post finished up. At the rate I've been going, this girl is going to be donning a birthday cap and cake crumbs before I get this wrapped up. Here is a quick recap of our sweet baby girl at 5 months.

This month we introduced Harlow to the wonderful world of trying to suck on food (usually banana) through tiny holes in a contraption that's best described as a large pacifier. The idea of it seems slightly frustrating and tedious, but she loves it and has gotten good at making short work of a mushy banana.

This picture is just to prove that's she's not always smiling. She does get  a little sad when she has sucked all the banana out.

Thankfully she also recovers really quickly.

This is her "I'm ready to get out of this" move. The second picture is her "No, mom really...put the camera down. I want to get out of here."

This month she wore some pretty adorable (and ruffly) outfits. I can't tell if she is surprised or excited about this fact (or maybe yawning).

She gets so excited when it's time to eat cereal in her Bumbo seat that she does a crazy back arching happy dance. A video of her spastic moves would be more appropriate, but these picture will have to do.

That's some joy with a capital 'J'. I can't get enough of her gleeful ways.

A quick pin up of her hair proves that it won't be long before this is girl is all blonde. Even in the womb, Sam predicted that she would be our blondest child. I think he might have nailed it.

She is officially  a paper monster. I've got to keep a close eye on her when paper is near--she'd like to destroy and devour it all.

I don't know what to say about these pictures except--how can we not just adore this happy little girl. Seriously...I could look at this smiling face all day...and sometimes I do.

At five months we also figured it was time to start teaching her some real tricks. I think these two make a pretty cute team...

...even when they aren't practicing cheerleading tricks.

Harlow is definitely finding her way into our lives in every way she can.  She is especially interested in everything the kids do.

Watching the kids play the Wii.

Watching Ruby's every move.

I think she really wanted to get involved in this one.

Ruby is also eager to impart all her wisdom as well. I love to hear Ruby repeat everything I've tried to teach in her efforts to educate Harlow.

Harlow missed a lot of the evening trips to the pool this past summer, but with swimsuits as cute as she has, we made sure to squeeze a few in before the season wrapped up.

Taking it all in.

We even let her take a quick dip with Sam. For a girl who loves to bathe she was not a huge fan of being in the pool. She was much happier in the arms of Sam out of the water than in.

Harlow is a gem of baby, but she isn't a super napper. I can't complain, though, since her lack of sleep doesn't result in a grumpy baby--just a baby that is awake most of the time.  Because of her napping style, I was surprised that one day while tearing through a magazine (pretty much heaven for her) she just put her head down and fell asleep.

This isn't her style so I wasn't sure what to do. I decided to just let her stay there asleep for a little while. When she did wake up, she did so just like this and resumed destroying the magazine without missing a beat.

Harlow loves the exersaucer--and she's not the only one. The kids love to play with her when she is there. I think she really enjoys being "on their level", too.  And she is always happy to see Max.

She is a rolling machine! I laid her on her blanket to play cars with the kids, and it didn't take her long to roll her way across the room. She is definitely a girl on the move. ( I have no idea why she is shirtless, but I'm sure there was a good reason.)

I think part of the reason this has taken me so long is because I have so many pictures of this sweet girl. But with have happy face like this, how can I resist?

After only 5 months, Harlow, you have officially locked up the title of our happiest baby. Keep the joy coming girl. We love you more each day.