HALLOWEEN 2006! "It goes here!" (Abigail points out where the candy should go. Funny, because most of it--wrapper and all--went directly into her mouth immediately after receving it.)

Warren liked trick-or-treating, but the whole greed and binge factor hasn't caught on yet. So, he took every opportunity to rest and ponder life while we were out trick-or-treating on our street.

Do you think he thinks the teeth are real?

That's Andy when he doesn't shave in the morning.

Warren and his friend, Alton.

What a sweet picture, until you notice her blacked-out teeth! Yeah for tootsie rolls!

Like I said, every opportunity to ponder life while out trick-or-treating.

A small glimpse into what our neighborhood looks like, in case you've never been here.

Oh, that's Andy again...Okay, not really, that's my brother, Brent. I did the eagle "tatoo" on his chest. What do you think?

Sweet.

These were the funniest costumes I've ever seen. What better for two missionaries to dress up as?

Here, Warren has stepped out of the Halloween parade into a neighbor's yard, plopped himself down, emptied his loot and says: "Let's just sit here and have a picnic, mom."

I now know the meaning of the phrase, "2 kids in a candy shop."

Abigail prefers the "direct deposit" method of payment.

"Thank you," she signs.

I love these shots of Andy and Abigail. This time it really IS Andy, by the way, dreadlocks and all.



In case you are wondering where Peter Pan is: my idea was for Andy and I to be pirates, Abigail to be Tinker Bell and Warren to be Peter Pan. When I suggested Peter Pan to Warren--without even mentioning pirates--he said, "I want to be Captain Hook." A sign of things to come...? Anyway, Andy really wanted to wear the green tights but they just didn't fit, and although Mary Martin can play Peter Pan, she wasn't pregnant. So, we were just a bunch of pirates who captured Tinker Bell.

Just in case you wanted to know what a pregnant pirate looks like. 

OCTOBER (but not Halloween...) The month of October brings all sorts of opportunities for dress-up, though this was the most spontaneous time of all. Here, Warren is "Superman" with a torn bedsheet.

This is Payton, Warren and Abigail's only first cousin. I love the look of adoration in Abigail's eyes.

Say "Cheese!" and Warren will sign it for you!

Mom, can we go on a bike ride?

These two are Abigail eating breakfast. She is very determined about the whole affair and really enjoys it.

The "Cheese" sign.

Here Warren, Abigial and 2nd cousin, Cooper, eat lunch together. Cute.

Since it has FINALLY cooled down in AZ, we spend a lot of time outside. One of the favorite "toys" is the riding lawnmower--when it isn't on, of course.

These next few are of Abigail at the Petting Zoo at the Phoenix Zoo.





"My pizza is an airplane!"

It is so sweet to see the kids play together outside--not to mention convenient!

Here, Abigail is signing "Like" on Payton, presumably to show that she likes him. I also chose this shot because it gives a good view of Abigail's dog bites on her right cheek. Did I mention she loved the 4 hours of waiting in the ER waiting room? (But not the rectal thermometer...)

I think I can, I think I can!

Double cheese.

Abigail was playing with the "Barrel of Monkeys" and was demonstrating what a monkey says: "Hoo-hoo, hee-hee."

These are some of the kids in W's playgroup. It's amazing how good dum-dum suckers are for crowd control!

Every year, Westwood HS has a Homecoming parade in nearby neighborhood. This year, Warren rode his bike to it with Abigail pushed alongside in the stroller. He really enjoys bikerides in the neighborhood and is learning how to control his speed so his pregnant mother can keep up with him.

My (current) favorite picture of Abigail. One of our favorite bikeride destinations is Stacy (my friend) and Alton's (W's friend) house down the street. They have this great swing that hangs from their front yard tree.

A picnic in the backyard with Aunt Tiffany! (Payton's mom).

All of these final shots I took in an attempt to get a good picture of the kids together. You will see the humor in that as you peruse them.

Need I say anymore?



So, I gave up and tried a few candid shots. This is one of them.



Okay, let's try again!

I finally succeeded by placing a plastic pumpkin on my head. It got the kids attention and their laughter.

Hey, where did Abigail go?