Fall Fun

This afternoon we had fun with cousin Kiara at Cornbelly's maxed out pumpkin patch, which is more like a carnival. We would have stayed longer, but this Minnesota girl (along with the rest) got too cold as the sun started setting.

Afterward, we went to the elementary school's Monster Mash. Theo was very excited to be there (this was one of our first official elementary school activities) and he was disappointed his Darth Vader costume did not win any prizes. He had wanted to be Darth Vader so badly and I didn't have the heart to tell him that typically the store bought variety Stars Wars/ super hero costumes (last year he proudly donned a Batman costume) probably won't ever win. He is already planning something a little "scarier" or "funnier" for next year.

The trio

No one would look at the camera.


Painted faces

Nora freaked out when the face painter started, so she ended up with this little heart.

One Year Old

Happy birthday to Nora. My sweet baby girl, whose unconditional smiles make my day, turns one-year-old today! All this growing up happened in a blink of an eye. I guess as parents we are trapped in some sort of time warp where newborn babies seemingly change overnight.

Since I was not blogging a year ago, I take the liberty of sharing some new arrival photos and memories. During the week before Nora was born, I had very hard contractions. Every night I went to bed thinking that we would have a baby by morning. I had no idea you could have such bad contractions for so long. Finally on the morning of the 9th my water broke and we were off to the hospital. Terry and my sister Callie were there when Nora was born. She was an easy delivery and I didn't even need to push. She was born during my first pre-push inhale. I guess all that labor was not in vain.

Nora Juliet Xanthos and proud mama; Two weeks old


6 and 7 months


11 months; Demonstrating army crawling proficiency, she could move FAST that way!

Now she has six teeth, sleeps like a dream, and is always on the move (but not walking). Her one year stats: weight - 14th percentile, length - 90th percentile, head - 32nd percentile. Tonight we had some fun with cake and presents at home with the boys. We have more celebrating to do this weekend.

The cake before and after. She ate most of it face-first.

Sweet Sixteen!

Today Karlie turns 16! And I think Terry just went even more gray. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARLIE!!! We love you!

Sixteen things I adore about Karlie:

1. She is not afraid to be herself.
2. She loves good food. Karlie and I have had many food adventures. I love that she is a vegetarian.
3. She hangs out with me even though I am not all that cool. We have a great time watching movies, talking, shopping, eating, and just being together.
4. She is honest.
5. She has a contagious smile.
6. As well as contagious enthusiasm.
7. She is teaching herself how to play the guitar!
8. She is so good to her siblings and is so thoughtful toward them. They idolize her.
9. Karlie speaks frankly and openly. I think I spent most of adolescence trying to not talk to my parents about anything, but Karlie just lays it all out on the table. (Resulting in some of the few times I have seen Terry squirm.)
10. She loves movies. I mean loves them. She has loved them since she was tiny.
11. Karlie seems so content with life. And she makes others feel the same way. You can't be with Karlie and not feel like life is good.
12. Her taste in music. She basically loves music and ALL types.
13. She sews without a pattern.
14. Her ability to enjoy herself no matter what. No one is better at making your average activity into something fun.
15. The way she bounces down the stairs.
16. And of course, her curly hair!