Wild Pumpkin

Happy Halloween, everyone! We're headed to Toledo for more treats!

Quite a night for the goblins!

We had a great night for trick-or-treat! It was around 60 degrees and sunny. Emerson's school offers a very cool service for parents. You can place an order earlier in the week, so that on Beggars' Night, when you pick up your child, you pick up your pizzas! Love it! So we had the Sheppards over for pizza and beer...and candy!

Emerson had a super cute dog costume we borrowed from the Janko cousins, and it was a perfect fit! He and Teddy were quite the duo, as Teddy was a toucan! Too funny. Emerson watched at the door for them to arrive, and then squealed in delight and sprinted through the house when they got here!

We only did our cul-de-sac and a neighboring street, and that was plenty for the boys. And for Emerson and Teddy.

Before we headed out...

How gross is this???

I swear, we turn our backs for ONE second and Emerson and Teddy are putting a newspaper in the toilet!

SO busted!

Us!

Toucan Teddy! Look at that smile! It was his first birthday, and he definitely knew it!

The doggy...

A few houses in...

How stinkin' cute. LOOK at that tail!

Jason got tired...and Don was willing!

Don and Teddy

Aaaaaand goodnight.

Naples - part two

As usual, we had a great time in Naples! Since my parents were going down for a few weeks, we all had flights in and out over the course of a week, and only had about 2 days when the ENTIRE family was there. Jessica and I traveled down with Emerson on Wednesday, joined by Jason and Jared on Friday, and then Jason, Emerson and I traveled back on Sunday, with Jes and Jared to follow over the next couple of days. My parents are still there, although likely not having nearly as much fun without us!

Emerson was beyond entertaining! I think he knew that he was on vacation, and that he had a large attentive audience. He had lots of fun gifts when we got there...a sleeping bag, pool and beach toys, snacks, and games!

Our short trip was filled with lots of activities, lots of yummy meals, and everything water. We had perfect weather...sunny, beautiful, and in the high 80s. I posted a few pics while down there, but here are the rest!

Our first night...dragging his bed out into the living room...he didn't want to miss a thing!

As soon as we got to the beach, Emerson ran toward the water. I had to chase him down! He loved it. Loved the sand. Loved the water. Loved the shells. He was sad when we left. We've decided that a beach trip is definitely in order for next summer! Maybe OBX? We'll likely be back to Naples before then, though.

Taking a taste...his did this a lot!

Who knew there were armadillos in Florida? Not me!

When we weren't at the beach, we were at the pool! Emerson loved all of his floaties, and never wanted to get out of the water!

Taking a peek with Poppy...any frogs in there?

We often end up just making meals at the house, usually with lots of fresh seafood. When we do go out, we love to eat at a local place, Randy's. They have great fish, and the BEST key lime pie. And this is coming from a girl who doesn't really like sweets!

Emerson enjoying GATOR BITES at Randy's...he tries everything, and they honestly taste a lot like chicken.

Check it out! Emerson caught a fish in Mia and Poppy's back yard! OK, Poppy caught it...but we can pretend!

I love this picture...

Enjoying some down time with Auntie Jes...it's been a long day.

On our last full day, we rented a boat and headed out on the water! Although we learned this past summer that Emerson hates life jackets, we had a great time. There's just something great about being on open water and cruising.

Helping Poppy drive the boat...

Jes and Jared...

About a minute into our boat ride, we saw two dolphins!

The three of us...

We anchored at our favorite place, Dog Beach! It's a great spot to pull up and hang out in the water for a while. The dogs are a blast!

Cool? Yuck?

Mia, Emerson and Jared...

Our fun little boat!

Uncle Jared...doin' his thing.

What a day!!!

Emerson has turned out to be a fish (much like his mom!) and has to be dragged out of the water. Beach, pool, bathtub, and shower. Here he is in Mia and Poppy's huge shower, until they ran out of hot water. I have no idea why he has two sippy cups with him.

What a great trip we had! Mia and Poppy are headed back for the month of January, and maybe we will too!!!

Live from Naples!

Dropping in to show just a few pics from Naples. I'll have lots of stories when we get back. The pics say it all...we're having a great time! Can't wait for Jason to get here tomorrow!

Oh, the things you say!

Emerson has really found his voice, in so many ways.

He has learned volume control. Emerson will scream for the mere sake of screaming. He will whisper in response to mine. These two things can occur at any point in time for absolutely no reason.

Emerson has also starting using so many "words." He will point at everything, and has something to say about each and everything. Without much prodding, he'll repeat back just about anything we ask him to say.

"Doh" is for dog.
"Gooo-oooh" is for "Go Bucks.
"Muh" is for milk.
"Dis" is for this.
"Juss" is for juice.
"Dee" is for drink.
"Poop" is for, well, poop.
"Na-na-na-na" is for no.
"Ma-ma-ma" is for Mom.
"Da-da" is for Dad.
"Kiii" is for Kramer.
"Psss" is for please.
"Dee-doh" is for thank you.

He continues to amaze us with what and how he learns. At his school, there is a large fish tank in the front entry way. And Jason and I both say "Hi Fishy" when we enter and leave. Well, now Emerson says what we believe to be "Hi Fishy" every time we pass it. Although it sounds a little more like "ha-fshee."

The Mummy

I was taking a couple pictures of Emerson this morning in an effort to show his cute little halloween shirt! The story then started going in another direction. He is climbing UP and ONTO everything! He's always been a climber, but now he can actually get onto the counter tops! Check out the little "mummy"...

In the kitchen...he loves this chair and thinks he's really hot "stuff" when he's in it!

Thinking he is going to open the door for Sheff...

MUMMY!!!

In the rocking chair that was Jason's as a child...trying to get back into the crib?