What a sweet moment

The past week or so I have had a bit of a stomach ache and have found myself sucking on Jolly Ranchers to help. I woke up at 5 AM this morning for work, and Ella got up as well. Really, 5 AM?

Well, I hopped into the shower to start waking up, and I told her to go back to bed. The next thing I see is her hand reach around the shower curtain with an opened Jolly Rancher. She says "for your beddy (belly) mama."

How can you get upset at that cute gesture? Even if it is 5 AM!

Fall Pics with Sue Huffer

Halloween afternoon we got pictures taken with Sue Huffer, a local photographer who took pictures of the girls when Ella was 2 and Laney was 4 months. Luckily this session was much better that our previous one where Ella cried the whole time and had to bribed with a sucker.

We lucked out with weather and the sweater jackets I had picked out for the girls to wear were way too warm for this day. The fall day was gorgeous and it was great that Jason's parents got to come get pictures with us as well.

This one cracks me up. Laney's hands are doing the sign language for "more." She was signing more because Sue was bribing them with fruit snacks. Notice the big smiles :)

A conversation with a 23 month old

A conversation with Laney after dropping Ella off at school.

Laney: Mama, where Ella?

Me: Ella is at school.

Laney: Where Laney go?

Me: Where do you want to go, Laney?

Laney: I go shopping. I have money.

Me: Really? What do you want to shop for?

Laney: Shoes, mama...shoes.


We teach them early around here :)

A college reunion for a beautiful baby boy!

This past Saturday my mom and I drove to Chicago for a baby shower for one of my best friends, Liz. Liz and I went to college together at Miami University and lived down the hall from each other or in the same house for all 4 years of college. All of the girls from MU who were friends from the very beginning were all able to make it, which is very rare these days! Although many of us live far from each other (St. Louis, Colorado, Atlanta, Michigan, Indianapolis, Chicago), we were all able to get together on this one day :) It's amazing to me that ~95% of this group lived in the same Freshmen Dorm and we have remained so close 12 years later!

Liz looked so adorable! She is 34 weeks along and her due date is right around Christmas. I am thinking December 21st is a great day for her son to join the world but only for selfish reasons--so her son and Laney can share a birthday. Liz is also only the second boy in a large group of girls so it was fun to have the first "blue" themed shower :)

The mother to be and one of the favorite gifts--
A bib saying "Our little tax deduction."

Liz with her sister, Brooke, and mom, Maria

The newest additions to the group:
Kat and her 7 week old daughter, Emily
Jess and her 7 month old daughter, Katie

Many of us were in the same sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. Our "mascot" was the squirrel (why a squirrel? We still don't know) but our mascot nonetheless. Kat's daughter, Emily, got this shirt as a gift. Perfect!

The mama-to-be looks so good!

Kristi and Jess enjoying some baby bingo

Kristi, Liz, Me

Kelly and Katie

Jess and Katie

The Alpha Gamma Delta sisters.

Thanks mom for making the trip with me.
It was a long day but well worth it!

Obama--a fun name to say!

I thought the girls needed to learn the name of our president to be so today we practiced it. I quickly found out Obama's name was very fun for the girls to say.

It sure makes it seem like the Willett girls have no clothes but rather just sleepers. But don't be mistaken, they both had at least 3 outfit changes today :)

A good night for a spiderman dance

Why calm down before bedtime? I think it's a good time to dance! The girls danced to the Spiderman song for well over 15 minutes and each time the singing got louder and louder :) I love these happy, spontaneous moments!
We miss you, daddy!

Happy Halloween

We have had a busy few days, to say the least! On Friday, we went to a costume party with about 15 of the girls' friends. Friday afternoon we had some family pictures taken and then Friday night was Halloween. Saturday was filled with doing some community service by picking up food in a local subdivision to take to a shelter! It is Sunday and I am now just sitting down to wish everybody a Happy Halloween--better late than never :)

Our two little giraffes

Ella loved this scooter and drove it around most of the party

Mila cleared out her kitchen and taped down some paper so the kids could really enjoy themselves with stickers and Play-Doh. It was a great idea!

Then it was time for a pumpkin hunt. Ella loved this one!

And then found another one

But the big hit was the pool filled with plastic balls

There is a happy giraffe!

Then it was time for trick-or-treat with Reese and Carly

Jack as superman and Maureen as Raggedy Anne

Here is the way to travel! Being pulled in the wagon.

Who is that scary man handing out our candy? It's Pappi Stan!

Elmo anyone?

Ella, Maureen and Laney

Nana Dean took the girls up to every single door to get candy

Kristy saving Super Man.
I will not go into the full story for fear of tipping off
Child Protective Services but I will say, all kids are safe
and with their own parents :)

Nana and Laney. Laney is very into checking out the full size candy bar.

Then after a fun filled night, the girls tore of their costumes

and enjoyed some treats from Nana and Pappi....of course in the buff :)