Airplane

Allen likes the airplane sounds that Elise makes when she feeds them.  Since daddy wasn't doing it, Allen started making the sounds for himself.  So cute!

Big Sister Help

Halloween

We attended our ward 'Trunk or Treat' last week with Brent's brother Michael and sister Janna who were in town visiting.  I think everyone had a good time.  Then we went to Elise's school parade (the car got stuck in the mud) and then braved a light drizzle last night to Trick or Treat in a neighbor some friends told us was a great place to go.  I think overall the kids had fun and didn't even mind the rain.  Allen really enjoyed playing with the umbrella and Brent wondered why we didn't bring the stroller with us...live and learn!

Because of getting stuck in the mud we were late to Elise's class and she had to have a teacher help her with her costume.  Unfortunately, her hair ended up a bit askew.

New Clothes

This is one of Elise's new outfits she received from Oma and Lolo for her birthday.  Brent always thought he would teach his sons to tie a tie...

Volleyball

Elise is absolutely in love with volleyball right now.  A couple of girls from the WVU volleyball team are friends with Elise's student teacher and they came and talked to her kindergarten class.  Elise has talked daily of the event ever since.  She brought home a signed poster that day from school and immediately asked that it be put up in her room.  The poster has game dates on it so Brent found a night that he could take her when her interest hadn't waned.  They had a great time at the game and funnily enough at one point she shouted 'GO UTES!' and Brent had to explain she should cheer for West Virginia.

After the game her teacher came and snagged her to talk with the players and get a signed T-shirt.  Talk about thrilling for a six year old!  She would have worn it every day for the past week and a half if I would let her!  It's been a challenge to explain that you don't wear the same clothes to school every day.  As for Brent - thrilled isn't even a strong enough descriptor for his joy over her interest.  He loves volleyball and has always thought with her being so tall that she would be great for the sport.  So for her to be so interested without any prompting from him...well he is one pleased papa.

Go Utes!

So I am incredibly behind in posting recent pictures and though there are many to share they will have to be out of order.  I learned from a friend a long time ago to work with the most recent first and then work backward from there or you will never catch up. 

Yesterday we attended the Utah vs Pitt game in Pittsburgh and had a great time.  The kids were great, overall the atmosphere was fun and Utah won!  We were a little nervous walking around in our attire because we were so obviously out numbered but we weren't harassed.  Go Utes!  P.S. Brent is growing his beard to be Rapunzel's dad for Halloween.  Just FYI.

The Air Mattress II

Another clip with the mattress and with Oma for whom the mattress was in use.

The Air Mattress

Life's simple pleasures!

William Singing

I was able to catch another few moments and video that they didn't know I was watching.  William is on the floor with the book - I'm guessing it's a musical story to him.  Allen is dancing to his brother's tune.

Last Halloween

So these are old pics but I just figured out how to get them off my phone and onto my computer.  We had fun last Halloween at our friends the West's house.  They are really into Halloween!  Brent is in the grave and the vehicle is an old ambulance Todd purchased just for the Halloween spirit.  He drove it around town too. :)  The garbage can near the car was on a remote and would pop open and scare people as they approached the house.  The neighborhood was very sad when they moved away.  Everyone wanted to know if the new neighbors were interested in Halloween.

New Shoes II

Allen's timing for taking his shoe off is quite hilarious.

New Shoes

The boys are unaccustomed to shoes and we got a kick out of watching their reaction to these sandals!

For some reason I can't add the other one to this post so I'll try it again in a separate one.

First Day of Kindergarten

Well the first day was a few days ago but here is Elise on her first day of kindergarten.  She loves her new teacher and her class.  There are a few kids from her PreK class in her new class and she enjoys seeing others she knows on the playground at recess.

Allen's Perch

Allen really likes the addition of these two bags of flour to the kitchen.  We call it his little perch.

Playing at the Hospital

No need to panic.  This is a play area at the mall that was donated by Mon General hospital so the toy area has a medical theme.  There is a hospital and ambulance and so forth.  The boys love it and it's kid friendly even for them!  Elise loves it too.

General Cuteness

A Game

I will try the long and short versions of this little game they were playing.  We'll see which one works!  Enjoy :)

Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium

We decided to go to the Zoo in Pittsburgh yesterday.  We didn't leave until after Elise got home from school so it was a last minute decision and perhaps a bit ill timed but we did it anyway.  Despite two periods of pouring rain we managed to have a good time though we'll need another trip to finish seeing all the animals. 
We had our trusty umbrella to keep the boys dry but Elise and Dad were pretty drenched.  Then when we got back to the parking lot to leave, daddy got to go wading.  Thankfully our car was not flooded but we helped a couple other people whose cars were flooded and non-functioning. 
After an hour of helping we finally piled in the car to get lost trying to get out of Pittsburgh.  It only takes one wrong turn.  We ended up in the Giant Eagle parking lot to feed the boys and grab some dinner from the deli.  The kids were troopers and pretty much happy and pleasant throughout the entire experience.  What an adventure!

Giggling

Giggling and Skyping with Oma and Lolo - it is quite the combination.

William Clapping

He is not normally this wobbly but he was so intent on clapping he didn't take time to gain his balance.  He's still really cute though. :)