Happy Halloween!

This year, we went to the Uptown shopping center with some friends and family to trick-or-treat. The store owners hand out candy every year, and it's nice because the kids don't have to cross any streets and they get a good amount of candy in a short amount of time. Plus, it starts at 3pm when it's still light out! Perfect! Tayler and her cousins Maddy & Addy (and no they are not twins) had a great time running from store to store, collecting treats. Tayler went as a Vampire Cheerleader, and can I just say, she looked ADORABLE! And I'm not just saying that because I made her costume and did her hair and make up! She was darling. It really turned out to be a great costume.
Carson went as a cowboy this year....although he wouldn't keep his hat on, and his boots kept coming off so he ended up wearing his Vans when we went out. He still looked SO HANDSOME!

And lastly was my sisters darling little dog, Lulubell who went as Ariel from the Little Mermaid. She was a hit with everyone. Her little mermaid tail was shaking all over the place because of all of the attention!

After the Uptown trick or treating, we came home and had a big chili feed at our house. My step-dad's parents live in Arizona during the winter, and are leaving tomorrow, so this was also a bit of a "farewell" party for them too. It was great to have so many people I love at our house, laughing and having a good time. We didn't get very many trick or treaters to the house, but Tayler, Brian and I did go out and hit the houses on our street. So, we're pretty well stocked in the candy department for the next few months!

Vote for Carson!

A friend of mine showed me this "cute baby contest" being held by GAP. I thought, why not!? So I entered a few pics of Carson (you could enter 5 total) So, if you have a minute, go HERE and give him your vote! And, if you're feeling saucy, put your cute baby in the contest too!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

The Schienbein family, and Grandma Shanna, went to the Pumpkin Patch today. Every year, (except last year because Tayler's class went to Job's nursery instead) we go out to the Country Mercantile to climb the hay pyramid, to get lost in the hay maze, to pet the animals at the petting zoo, and to take a tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch.

We've been taking Tayler for years, but this year was Carson's first. And boy did he have a good time! We did learn that he doesn't LOVE the feel of straw on his skin, and prefers NOT sitting next to scarecrows. And for some unknown reason, he thinks that a llama eating a piece of corn stalk is about the funniest thing he's ever seen in his life.

Tayler climbed clear to the top of the hay pyramid several times, and even noted that from up at the top, I looked like a mere ant on the ground. =) She ran around the hay maze several times, and had a great time watching the little bunnies in the petting zoo. She carefully selected a pumpkin, and although we told her she needed to pick one she could carry, she found one that was a bit too heavy, but too perfect to pass up. So, we brought it home.

I will never get sick of our Country Mercantile tradition. Every year I leave that place with the feeling that fall is really here. I love this time of year, and cannot wait for the pumpkin carving tomorrow!

My girl

Reason number 2,254,825

why I absolutely adore Tayler.

This was on the door to our bedroom last night when I got home from work. She is such a sweet girl. I love her so much!

Carson's Walking!

The video is short, but it's all we could get tonight! We're so proud!

Monster Mash!

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Like father, Like son

Brian emailed me this picture at work last night. We are both amazed at how much little Brian there on the right (in the fashionable red overalls) looks like Carson does now. He's only a few months older than Carson in this picture (this photo was dated April 1979), and even the way he is sitting and holding his arms reminds me of our baby boy! I love finding stuff like this. I only wish I could travel back in time for a little bit and hold that little guy on my lap!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. She is one of the most important people in my life. Without her, I honestly don't know what I would do. In honor of her birth, I thought I'd post some interesting facts about her. Here goes.

1. She is one of six children

2. Her family is the most important thing to her in the world

3. When she was a child, she had her pinky finger cut off twice and re-attached

4. She is hands down the most generous person I have ever known, which she tried to teach her children. Along with being assertive, and being kind

5. She would do ANYTHING for ANY one of her siblings

6. She is a VERY hard worker

7. She gave birth to a 10 pound baby (my sister, not me!)

8. Her middle name is Lou, just like her mom

9. She loves antiques

10. She has a really good sense of humor, and is really funny. People love being around her.

I love her so much, and hope someday I'm as important to my children as my mom is to me!