You can only tell it's fall...

because the trees are shedding their leaves. It's been 85 degrees all weekend, no rain in sight. I'm glad it isn't snowing, but a few cool, rainy days would be welcome! Gwydion is enjoying the weather quite a bit, as you can see.




because the trees are shedding their leaves. It's been 85 degrees all weekend, no rain in sight. I'm glad it isn't snowing, but a few cool, rainy days would be welcome! Gwydion is enjoying the weather quite a bit, as you can see.

Visit with the Heplers

There was a big party this weekend for my uncle Dean's 70th birthday, so we got to see a lot of family we don't usually see. We had a very nice visit. Check out the pics below.

Grandma Hepler, me, Gwydion, and Rick.

Me, Gwydion, Grandma, and a little bit of Uncle Dean.

Michael holding Goblin, Gwydion and Rick. He loves his new toy!

Rick and Gwydion.

Halloween!!!

We didn't get very many good pictures of Gwydion trick-or-treating, but he had a great time! We went to Grandpa Don's house and to Grandma Diane's, mostly to show off Gwydion in his cute teddy bear costume.

Two new additions...

...the first being a kitten I rescued. We're still hoping to find him a permanent home (other than ours) but he seems to be getting along with the other cats pretty well. He's a handsome boy and we're calling him Goblin. He's quite the little ankle-biter.

Goblin the fierce (at least he thinks so!)

And here's our other new addition. We bought a new car!! We've traded the truck in and finally gotten a 4-door car. I know it's nearly Halloween, but I swear, it is only coincidence that it's orange.

And finally, some actual Halloween-related pictures. Gwydion went to pick out his pumpkin with Grandma Diane and had a wonderful time. First there was sand to play in...


which was incredibly fun, no matter which way the wind was blowing.


Then there were tiny ears of brightly colored Indian corn and ornamental gourds to play with...



And then there was the petting zoo! Goats, sheep, llamas, turkeys, ducks, chickens, cows, pigs, rabbits, and even a buffalo calf!

And finally, of course, choosing a pumpkin!

October, so far.

There's always something going on around here! It's been a busy month for us. Gwydion has finally gotten all his teeth in (at least until his 2 year molars) and when we went to get his flu shot, the doctor said he was doing well. Gwydion, unfortunately, didn't agree with her. This visit was the first time he remembered getting shots. The poor little guy was crying even before he got poked!

He's also started talking a lot more lately, though 99.99% of what he says isn't intelligible. Words he's started saying in the last week: apple, bubble, and of course, burp. It figures, the kid won't tell me when he's hungry or thirsty but he can say burp. He also called Uncle Matt by name, much to Matt's surprise. And just today, he figured out how to drink from a straw. It's a good thing too, I wasn't sure how many different ways I could try to teach him- I mean, how many ways can you drink from a straw?

Below are some pictures from recent outings.

What happens to little boys who skip their naps? This....


Hey mama, I want to help!


The remaining pictures are from our trip to the fair. Gwydion had a great time, eating brats and corndogs and pineapple whips. He liked the lights and the animals the best though.

This is the one game we played. I really thought he'd grab a duck, but as usual, he only does things on his schedule. Right then, he didn't feel like picking any ducks. I ended up picking all the ducks and won him a little stuffed lion (which of course, he completely ignores. He'd rather play with the zippers on his shoes).


Playing in Kids World at the fair.


Looking at piglets, also taken at the fair.

Gwydion goes to the zoo (again!) and other things

Gwydion has had a busy summer. He's growing like a weed! He loves to play outside, chasing squirrels, cats, butterflies, or whatever happens by. He also loves the gazebo Grandpa Don built and he loves to help Mama in the garden. Of course he mostly just likes playing with the hose, but hey, as long as he's happy, right?


Playing blocks with Aunt Mary Anne and Grandpa Don.
Look, Mama, one more way for me to give you a heart attack!
Mama's birthday hug.

Uncle Ben and Gwydion watching a video.
Chasing squirrels at the park.
Playing inside the toy train at the zoo.
Look at me! I climbed inside the train by myself!
At the playground with Grandpa Don.
In front of the zoo.
Inside the gazebo at Grandma Diane's new house.
Looking around Grandma Diane's new house.

15 Month Appointment

My little man is getting so big! He's 31 3/4 inches tall (80%), and weighs 21 lbs (8%). The doctor said he looked great! He's starting to get his canines in now, and between that and the shots, we're expecting a fussy boy for a week. He's running and climbing like a pro now. He still doesn't watch where he's stepping though, so he does trip over things, just like any little one. He's talking a little, though he still mostly says 'that'. He'll also says 'hot'. It's the funniest thing, when I'm cooking dinner he runs around the kitchen with plastic measuring cups in hand, yelling "hot, hot, hot!"

He loves to help Mama water the garden and play with the hose. He's also good at housekeeping, since he likes to put things into the trash and help sweep the floor or hold the dustpan. His favorite things by far though, are any electronics that he's not supposed to touch- computer keyboards, TV remote, digital camera... you get the idea. Such a techie kid- just like his dad. :)

Driving around in his police car. He loves the siren!

A lazy Saturday morning in Mama and Daddy's bed.