Dinner Out

Going out to eat with all four kids is a rare thing lately.  However, Brian and David happily sat in high chairs at the restaurant table tonight at Arni's for a little pizza, so I am hopeful we will be doing this more often!

Elena's Shabat Nosh Program

Jeff's flight back from Florida landed in time for his to make it to Elena's Shabat Nosh program Friday night.  She was VERY excited to see him, but not as happy as the twins!

We have been grateful for Grandma Liz's extra set of hands this week in Jeff's absence.  She came down from Michigan to help out while Jeff obtained his CME credits before the end of the year. 



Grandma and the Chicken Bone

Grandma Liz has successfully raised 7 children and helps out frequently with her 20+ grandchildren.  One of her traditions is to give the kids a chicken bone to gnaw on.   Not really an activity I regularly encourage for my seven month olds, but Brian and David LOVED this experience!

The Boys in the Their Highchairs

The babies are happily eating food twice a day now.  Grandma Liz bought them a mesh feeder, so they have had peaches and bananas in addition to regular baby food.  It is fun to watch their expressions when they try something new for the first time.

Fun Night with Friends

Jeff did residency at St. Vincent hosptial with some of the nicest people on the planet.  Dr. Emily, who is now our kids physician, hosted us all at her house the night before Thanksgiving.  Elena's first question (with a terrified look on her face) when we told her where we were going was "Do we have to get shots?"   Fourtunately, there was only great food, and fun times to be had.

Jeff with Carrie and Dr. Emily



Elena with her new friend Charlotte



The babies were fascinated with Emily's new ceiling fan

Alex playing Wii with Emily's son, Paul

Elena Pretending She Has a Little Sister

Brian looks happy here, but I have a feeling he won't like this photo in a couple of years!

Alex the Astronaut

Alex had "Community Helper Day" at school this week.  He decided he wanted to be an astronaut.  In November.  Not sure why he thinks an astronaut is a community helper.  Or where we were supposed to find an authentic astronaut costume on a few days notice, in NOVEMBER.  So I asked him why he chose astronaut, and his very obvious answer was "Star Wars!"  Problem solved: Alex dressed like a Clone Trooper.  And all his friends loved his outfit. 

Updated Family Photos!

Carving Pumpkins

We carved pumpkins tonight! The kids had fun drawing faces on the pumpkins, scooping out the guts, and carving (with some help from Jeff).

Alex with his similarly toothless pumpkin

With the carved pumpkins at their new home, the front stoop

Big Dave

When David grins, we often joke that it looks like he wants to eat you.  He smiles with his whole big happy mouth!

Smiling Brian

Mrs Schiller, the twin's nanny, took this great photo of Brian.

Pumpkin Patch

Alex and Elena were home on fall break, so we headed to the pumpkin patch at Stoney Creek Farm today to find the perfect pumpkins.  The kids had a blast on the hay ride, pumpkin train and other fun activities. 

Fall Leaves

Alex worked very hard after school one afternoon to gather the leaves into a pile.  He and Elena enjoyed the results!  

Cute Hats

Preying Mantis

The kids found a preying mantis outside our house today, so we cut a hole in the lid of a formula can and brought him inside. Apparently the air hole was bigger than it should have been, because the creepy looking bug kept peeking up out of the can to look around our kitchen, and it startled me every single time!

Elena's preschool teacher, Mrs. Spicer, has a terrarium.  So the preying mantis was brought to school to share with her class!

UPDATE: Elena came home from school a few weeks later and announced with authority that the preying mantis "got dead." Interesting way to share that news...

Alex's First Grade School Photo

Such a classic first grade photo, complete with the missing front tooth! Since this photo was taken, he has lost two more front teeth.  We joke that the babies have more teeth than him right now.

Elena's Preschool Photos

One of the mom's at the preschool, Sonja Clark, takes photos of each of the kids each year.  She does a great great getting each child to be natural and genuinely happy for their photos, and the results are remarkable. 

Yet another great school photo!  Which one do you like best?

Snow White

 Elena has watched the Snow White movie almost every day since picking out her Snow White for Halloween this year!

Big Dave

Don't you love his chubby cheeks?

Halloween Costumes Have Been Chosen!

We ran into Costco tonight after dinner out, and the kids picked out their Halloween costumes.  Alex picked Iron Man, and Elena picked Snow White.  Let's see if these costumes last a whole month until the big day!

A Girls' Day at the Zoo

Cousin Ellie and Maddie met us at the zoo on this gorgeous day for a little girl fun!