Trick or Treat

Even though I love Halloween, I have been a really loser the past few years and have not really gotten into the Halloween spirit. I didn't even carve a pumpkin the past two years. (Don't worry, we did have a pumpkin out each year, thanks to Greg - He is the master of pumpkin carving! or at least he thinks so) This year, I decided that I would dive into the festivities so Michael would enjoy it and start those fun traditions that you remember forever.

Here are some pictures of our pumpkins! Greg carved his and Michael's, I carved my own. Unlike Liberty, I insist that someone else gut the pumpkin and I just do the carving. Luckily, Greg agreed to clean mine out (after much complaining from me!)

Greg's, Ashlee's, and Michael's

(Greg carved Michael's, but I designed it!)

I guess the nice thing about Michael being two is that I still get to decide what he will be for Halloween. I am not looking forward to the days where he comes up with an idea for a costume and I have to figure out how to pull it off. I am not very creative and I'm jealous of those that are (like Liberty's eyeball and mosquito costumes for Jos!) Anyway, he went as a little monkey. He was so cute and didn't mind wearing the hat/hood all night. Michael enjoyed trick or treating, but he was a little confused. He would knock on the door and when they opened the door, Michael tried to go in the house every time! :) I guess he thought, "Hey they are opening the door for me, aren't they?"

Trick or Treat

Back with all of the loot!

Helping himself to a little more candy!

His daycare didn't have a Halloween parade this year, which was disappointing. I guess parents couldn't follow the rules and leave masks and swords at home (what parent would think it was okay to bring toy swords to a daycare! They should have to be locked in a room with 10 3 year-olds running around with swords! That would be a nightmare!) So, I guess I can't blame the daycare for not wanting to submit themselves to that. Instead they had a pajama party. The kids were invited to wear their PJ's to school. It was so cute to see all of the kids in their PJ's. You just wanted to give all of them a squeeze! They also made the cutest little bat hats. Michael loves to wear his!

Michael ready for school in his Halloween PJ's

His Bat hat

Even though he is rubbing his eyes, I liked this picture because you can really see his hat.

Now on to Thanksgiving and Christmas! Yahoo!

Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday to you...

**Warning, this post is long and detailed. But if you make it to the end, there are LOTS of pictures.***

Michael turned two on Oct 21! He had such a fun day! He loved singing Happy Birthday to you followed by the sound of a noise maker. Greg taught him this and I still hear him doing it from time to time.


So he started the day with Mommy and Daddy singing him Happy Birthday. He had the cutest smile as he listened and tried to open his sleepy eyes. Greg had bought some noise makers and Michael thought they were the greatest things ever!


Then he went to his daycare, where everyone greeted him with "Happy Birthday Michael". I could tell by the smile on his face, he was loving the attention and knew this was going to be a fun day. We brought in some cupcakes so he could celebrate with his friends and teachers.


I picked up Michael after work and we met Daddy at Chuck-E-Cheese! What a fun place for little kids. They gave us some tokens because it was his birthday and then we got some based on our food order. So we didn't have to pay for any of the rides! Anyway, Michael loved the little show put on by the Chuck-E-Cheese band and clapped after each song. Then he went on to ride many of the rides.

Then it was time to head home for presents and birthday cake. He loved opening everything and wanted to play with them right away. He was excited about the Play dough from Uncle Kit, Aunt Liberty, Jos, Gavin, and Gunner. The books from Aunt Sydnee, Uncle Dale, Parker and Ellee were also a hit. The remote controlled car from Grandma and Grandpa scared him a little at first!. It was funny to watch him with it. He would cover his eyes and then peek out to see it. He is over that now loves to run it over my feet or step in the way when I am driving it so it runs over his feet. He thinks that is soooooooo funny! He also loves his basketball goal from Grammy and Papa. Greg has taught him to slam dunk and he wants to do that all of the time. He likes Greg to hold him up and do the Michael Jordan leap dunk! (Greg likes this too!). He also got some Elmo hands from Grammy and Papa and is now obsessed with Elmo. It is pretty cute and Greg and I go around singing the song, Tickle and Groove, ALL of the time. We can't get it out of our heads. Good thing it is a cute song or it would be driving me nuts! :) He also got some fun bowling pins from Aunt JoJo and Uncle John. Thanks to everyone for all of the fun gifts! He is having so much fun playing with his new toys!

After the gifts, we sang Happy Birthday again and had some cake. But by that time, Michael was worn out and ready for bed. He talked to both sets of grandparents on the web cam and then went to bed. What a fun day!


We are so grateful to have Michael in our family. He is like our little ray of sunshine! He is always smiling and ready for some fun! He has such a sweet spirit and I know that he is going to be a great Big Brother!

We love you Michael!!

The Birthday Boy in the car on the way to Chuck-E-Cheese

Michael applauding the Chuck-E-Cheese Band

Riding in the Jeep

More rides - but this one was too big for him, so he just pretended to play

This one with Barney

and the Tractor

With Daddy and all of the loot!

Yummy!

Yes, he still does hands - this was spontaneous

(probably brought on by the sugar and excitement!)

Reading his birthday cards with Mommy

Slam Dunk!

(proving that white boys can't jump)

Elmo Hands

Boiler Up!!

Michael has been to a couple of football games this year, and much to his Daddy's delight, he loves it!! He loves wearing his Purdue jersey, he loves the band, he loves the crowd, he loves the cheers, and he loves the food!! This past Saturday, was the Purdue / Ohio State game...and guess what?!?! Purdue WON! It was Purdue's first win over a ranked opponent since 2003, so it was almost historic! ;)

Anyway, Michael did great at the game even though it started at Noon (his nap time). He made lots of friends with everyone around us. He really is quite the charmer!

Michael with Devon Brouse - Head Golf Coach

Michael loves Devon and thankfully, Coach Brouse is fond of Michael

"Hey - is that my popcorn I dropped in the 2nd Quarter?"

"Wow - 4 Quarters really wears a little man out!"

Still asleep - through the 4th Quarter, walk to the car, and the car ride.

"By the way, did the Boilers Win?"

Still asleep after the car ride and being transferred into the house.

Nothing is waking up this little man!

Below are some other cute pictures we have taken lately.

Michael proudly wearing his Purdue jersey.

He cried when I made him take it off for bath time

Michael hiding in our closet.

I love his smile!

Hiking or sitting on the football.

Or boofall, as Michael likes to call it!

Well, after a nine month hiatus, I thought I would update our blog. Who knows if anyone is reading it anymore, but I decided to give it another try.

Halloween...Grammy...Grandma.....and more

Well, I am a little behind in posting on the blog (as usual). We have done so much this fall and I haven't posted any of it!

Here are some pictures from a visit to Stillwater, a visit from Greg's mom, Halloween, and a few random pictures we have taken this fall. If you look closely, you can tell how much he has grown over the fall.

Greg and our little Gangsta!

Trick or Treat

I love my Daddy!

Grandma and Michael

(Greg's Mom)

Papa and Michael

(Ashlee's Dad)

Grammy and Michael

(Ashlee's Mom)

Relaxing on the Hammock

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

This year we spent Christmas at my sister's in Ohio. It was so fun. My parents came and it was so good to see them. It was fun to be together, but we missed my brother's family. Sydnee and Dale were great hosts and treated us to too many yummy meals and desserts. When I left, I thought I may never need to eat again. Seriously, I am ready for the New Year diet!

Anyway, we had a great time. Michael loved being with Grammy and Papa and his cousins. It was so cute to watch him with Ellee and Parker, you could tell that he thought everything they did was so fun!

Christmas Eve

(Parker, Michael, Ellee)

After Santa's Visit!

Christmas Morning

At the top of the stairs waiting to come down.

Showing Ellee what Santa brought!

Enough of the presents! Let's play in the boxes!

All of the Loot!

A new set up golf clubs

(his second set at age 14 months!)

A real Steelers Fan!

Happy New Year!

Michael made his own hat!

1 Year Old - Time To Celebrate!!!

Michael celebrated his first birthday with many friends. He loved the attention, the cake, and gifts. It was so fun to watch him enjoy his day. He had seriously outgrown his baby toys, so it was wonderful to get many new "Big Boy" toys. I would love to be able to know what he really thought. So many people paying attention to his antics (he really is a ham!), discovering chocolate cake for the first time (how had Mom deprived him of this wonderful treat until now!!), and being able to tear open his presents (Mom usually stops him from ripping paper up).

It was a great day, and best of all, I think Michael could tell that this was a special day for him.

Wow this is good!!

Lick it clean Michael!

Michael's little friend, Ian.

Michael's Girlfriends (or at least Greg likes to think so!)

Mia, Michael, and Maddi

Playing with his new toys!

Happy Birthday Michael!

This past week, we celebrated Michael's first birthday. I have always heard that your children grow up so quickly, but I never really understood it until now. This past year has flown by so fast! Greg and I marvel when we watch Michael cruising around, playing with his toys, eating on his own; that just last year he couldn't do any of these things.

We have spent much of this past week thinking about when Michael was born. I was so anxious for him to come. My pregnancy went very smooth, so I was a little worried that I wouldn't be so lucky in my delivery. But to my relief, that went really well (thanks to the epidural!). Michael arrived at 6:13 pm, on October 21st. He was screaming before he was fully delivered, letting us know that we were in for an exciting ride!!

And that started our life with Michael and it has been a thrill ever since. Greg and I thank our Heavenly Father every day for sending us such a special little boy. He is such a happy baby. His little spirit just brightens every room. We love you little Michael!! We are so happy that you are part of our family!

Going Home

Many Late Nights!!

Oh, How Your Daddy Loves You!

What A Smile!

Our Little Santa!!