We've been boo-ed

Our house was boo-ed! 

I actually meant to do this with the kids last year but it never worked out or I got lazy (whatever you want to call it).  So when we were boo-ed... we had to keep it going so we quickly got 2 goody bags together and went out in the dark to boo a few neighbors.

Aiden boo-ed the first house.  He ran up to their front door, put the bag down and rang the doorbell.  We all took off running in the dark so we wouldn't be seen.  We laughed so hard as we were running down the street.  I am sure it was a sight to be seen.  We were all in our pj's and flip flops (ok... Ryan and I were in our pj's and socks with flip flops- gasp!).

Next up was Ethan.  This house was a little more difficult because there were no hiding spots.  So he rang the doorbell and we took off again but I think we were caught.  The neighbor came outside and probably saw 5 shadows running a laughing all the way to our house.  Oh well... we had a blast and we will try and keep this up in the coming years as well.

Afterwards, Izzy got herself tangled in the boys Halloween tape...

Zombie zone alert

Is it bedtime yet?!?

Go Eagles!

We went to the Niceville Eagles Homecoming game recently.  The boys- especially Ethan- love football.  Isabelle enjoyed the first bit but then just ended up people watching- my kind of girl.

Look who is standing!!

 Shortly before half time, Izzy had had enough.

Aiden's 7th bday party

Aiden's birthday was on October 16th so we had his party that weekend.  He wanted another costume party at the house.  I am all for these kinds of parties because they get extra use out of their costumes. We had a great time and everyone was so good!  I am getting used to the parties now where the parents all drop the kids off and I become responsible for 10 extra kids that I don't really know.  Last year caught me by surprise when all the parents left and it was just the kids plus Ryan and I.  I guess times have changed.
We had a few scary costumes show up that sent one girl screaming out the front door.  Thankfully, her Mom was still around.  I felt so bad but the party had to continue.
I decided to have a few games to keep everyone occupied and that worked out great!  Inside we had pin the nose on the pumpkin and then spider darts.

Outside the kids were able to make Halloween masks.

I, of course, had made too much food especially since no one stayed but the kids.  So, my family and I pigged out while the kids played. 
Note to self for next time:  purple and orange icing doesn't go well with costumes. 
Overall, I would say the party is a success and we are done with birthday parties until next year!

Happy 7th- Aiden.  We love you to the moon and back!

Boys will be boys

Gotta love boys!  Everywhere I turn, I find these little sticky guys hanging out on our ceiling and walls.  Who knows when they will decide to fall down but I guess it gives our house a little extra character.

Alfalfa sprout

I got an ear full after picking Izzy up from Daycare.  She was not happy her Daddy sent her to school with this...

She had an alfalfa sprout right in the front of her hair.  When will Daddy learn?!? *Don't worry... the car was stopped when I took this picture*

Stomach bug

The stomach bug hit our house with a vengeance.  Saturday night, Izzy got sick and it all went downhill from there.  It went something like this... Izzy got sick > then brother got sick > then Mommy got sick > and other brother got sick and well... Daddy- he was on the fence (not feeling great but never actually caught the bug). 

Have I ever mentioned how difficult it is to clean up mess from someone else when you are sick yourself?!?  Every sheet, onesie and stuffed animal has been washed and rewashed again. 
The kid's rooms were quarantined since no one can seem to get to the bathroom in time and everyone was sent to the living room.  We actually had to take the boy's bed apart to clean everything out... it was that bad.  Yeah, did I mention that this week has not been pretty?!?
The boys slept on the couch and Izzy was sent to prison aka her play pen.  Please look closely at her facial expression... she is one unhappy camper!  She was acting as if I had sent her to solitary confinement.

The couch quickly became the next victim so the boys were then sent to the floor.  At least we have a good carpet cleaner!
Thankfully, I can safely say that we are on the mend and just in the nick of time.  We have important things we have to do this weekend and we can not afford to be sick.  The Holt's are heading to Tally for a FSU game and we are super excited!  We can't wait to spend some time in Seminole country with Allison, Mark and Lila.

Tears

Happy tears/sad tears... who knows these days.  This Mommy is emotional at times. 
But, if you didn't already know this... our baby girl is growing up!

Please disregard her runny nose

Isabelle has officially moved up to the toddler room at daycare.  I have mixed emotions but I know that this change will be good for her.  She will be pushed (hopefully not by the other children) to interact and vocalize her needs. 
In these last few weeks, she is making some great progress with standing and getting on her knees. We are finally seeing some progress from all of her hard work.  Izzy also has a few new signs (please/ milk).  Keep up the hard work Izzy- you keep amazing us each and every day!

Corn Festival, Soccer and Sasser Reunion= Busy weekend

The kids and I started Friday night with the Corn Festival at their school.  We had a good time but only one picture to prove it (actually taken by Aunt Steph). 

Right when we got to the school, we saw Izzy's PT.  She is wonderful and loves Izzy so!  I was thankful that Izzy didn't sign "all done" as soon as she saw her.  That is her new thing when Mrs. T walks around the corner before therapy starts.  Silly girl!  Then it was off to the bouncy houses and games.  We got there a little too late for hair painting but Ian is sporting a cool new look.
Saturday, of course, we began our morning with soccer.  The weather was beautiful so this is the first game we didn't sweat to death.

Izzy is getting attacked by the tickle monster.  Sister is ticklish!

Saturday afternoon, we hopped in the car and headed to Chipley for the Annual Sasser reunion.  The boys love Chipley so all I heard on the way was "are we there yet".   This was Izzy's first Sasser reunion since she had just had her Open Heart Surgery last year around the same time.  So a lot of extended family had yet to meet our beautiful Izzy in person.  Needless to say, I didn't see her much until bedtime.
When it was time to call it a night, we headed to Aunt Gloria and Uncle Marvin's house and the kids played a while before bedtime.

Izzy loves playing with the big boys.

                           

Then she tried to lug around Alea's doll that was the same size as her.

Then before bed, she had to get a little exercising in.  

 Look at Izzy stand!!  She is doing so good and actually wants to put weight on her legs now.  I think she is realizing she can see so much more when she stands up.
Even though there were plenty of beds, all the kids wanted to sleep in my room.  None were allowed in my bed so we made pallets for them on the floor.  All three of these kids are crazy sleepers and I have learned my lesson that if I want to get any sleep at all, my bed is off limits for them.

Izzy began her morning with some exercising.  We mean business in the Barfield/Holt family.

At least she had a great view!

 Sunday, we went back to the home place for the big lunch. We all ate some great food and enjoyed seeing family. It had been way too long between visits with some.
(These pictures were taken by Steph)

Deep in conversation!  These littles are 10 months apart but you wouldn't know by looking at them. 

                       


Enjoying her view



. 

 By the time we got home Sunday afternoon, we were all worn out and ready for a nap. 

We had a great but busy weekend full of family and good food. 

Showing a little love

These two sure do love each other!

Ok... I did it

I signed up to run a 1/2 marathon with Stephanie (SIL).  It is still sinking in but there is no turning back now.  I will do this!  I might be crawling by the time I get to the finish line but I will get to the finish line.
This is the one thing that I have always said I can't do... run. I admire those that run marathons but I always knew I would never be one of them. So to prove myself wrong and to show my kids that they can do anything they put their mind to... I am going to do it. 

I have 5 months to prepare and I have a lot of preparing to do.  It is time I get myself back into shape and also do something for myself. 
Wish me luck as I start preparing!!

Time out

Just kidding!  We were trying her out in the community kid's chair at Nana and Papa's and as you can see... Isabelle isn't too sure about it.  Oh well... maybe next time!

Isabelle's 15 month appointment

at 16 months old... don't judge!  This Mama is having a hard time keeping all the appointments straight.

Well... we were a month late for this appointment but we made it in before she got kicked out of daycare.  So all is well!

*Izzy is weighing in at 20 lbs 8.5ozs, 30 3/4 in. tall and head size 43 cm. (16 month stats).  On the DS charts that breaks down to approx 80% in height and 50% in weight.  So far she takes after her brothers in the height and weight department.   
*She is eating everything we are and loves politely throwing her food onto the floor.  Politely = throwing each individual piece on the floor and waiting for a reaction after each piece hits the floor.  How nice of her!  We are also beginning to work on table manners.  As you can see... we have a long way to go!

*Her doctor is very impressed with her muscle tone which we always love to hear!
*She finally has 2 teeth coming in.  Both are her molars on the top.  Yep, surprised her doctor as well.  The molars are not usually the first teeth to arrive but Isabelle plays her own way.
*She is scooting all over the place and nothing is off limits.  She will empty every bag and pull out every toy in the blink of an eye.  It is also time for us to invest in a baby gate for the stairs.  Sister has discovered the hallway and she is out of here!

Even though Isabelle prefers scooting as her main form of transportation, we are still working on crawling.  This past therapy session she stayed in a 4 point crawl for approximately 6 minutes while grabbing for objects and turning pages in her book (this improves balance).  Her longest time ever!  We are also working on Isabelle pulling up to a knee position to grab toys off our ottoman.  While this comes natural for most babies, Isabelle has to work long and hard to master these techniques.  It will take some time, but she will do it. 
Isabelle loves snuggling with her brother early in the mornings.  Normally he loves snuggling as well but this particular morning... he just wanted to play his DS.  A sweet moment quickly ended.

Isabelle goes back to the doctor at the end of this month for her 2nd flu shot and then returns again for her 18 month shots. 
Izzy- I promise to stay on top of the shot appointments next time so they are spread out a little more. 

A night out

The kids and I spent an evening at Destin Commons playing on the new playground and then we made a visit to Build a Bear.  The whole idea of let's just look/browse and not buy concept didn't go over so well with the kids.  Note to self for next time... kids are not good window shoppers!

Isabelle grabbing a little shut eye before the fun begins.

No pictures please!

I will take one of each please!

Trying a little begging.  Cute face but it still didn't work.

Since the begging didn't work, he thought maybe coming straight home and cleaning and starting his homework without being asked might help.  Good try!