The Big Girl Bed

We've entered a new phase with Alaina. She has officially gone from being a baby to being a little girl. Between potty training, the alphabet and now her big girl bed she's growing up. Last night as I got her all excited about being a big girl and sleeping in her new bed I was just a little bit sad to let go of my baby.

Alaina and Brayden are going to be sharing a room soon.
Alaina sitting on her big girl bed. She just put her "baby" to bed.
Amazingly enough the transistion went much smoother than anticipated. Here she is fast asleep and its only 9:30.OH... I forgot to mention I have TWO climbers!

This was the veiw from our great room this morning after the rain had stopped. This picture doesn't really do it justice. It was spectacular!

Adventures in Potty Training...

Well, Alaina seems to be finally ready to start potty training. I've gotten several tips and suggestions on the best way to do it and truthfully, I really don't have a clue as to what I'm doing! My first indication that it was time to start training was that Alaina randomly asked about the potty. Now... be aware that for the past few months I have had the potty sitting in front of the TV and she'll sit on it naked for 10, 15, 20 min. just hanging out. Then she'd get up and go tinkle in the corner! How frustrating! So... with this new interest I jumped on it. We first tried the pull ups but it seemed that she didn't care about tinkling in the pull up. So my next approach was to let her run around with the bottom half naked. I realize this comes with some risk but I figured I could keep an eye on her. Well, throughout the day she went on the potty about 30% of the time. The other 70% she went on the floor, the chair, the books, the carpet, ect.... (but hey! at least she asked to go the other 30%!) Well, today we've made drastic improvements. Again she went around without a diaper on for the majority of the day and we made it to the potty about 70% of the time, AND, she went several times by herself without even telling me. The other 30% she didn't even do it on the floor! She went in the diaper! HOORAY! I'm hoping this trend keeps up. I guess we also need to get her into a toddler bed now since eventually she's going to need to get up at night to go to the potty.

Brayden and Alaina sharing some veggies
tickle, tickle, tickle....

Our construction

Now that the summer is over we are starting back up with construction on the house. The summer was too busy for both us and my dad. We've finished putting the windows in the master bedroom, and framed out the closet (pictured below next to the window). Today Nic and my dad also just about finished framing the remaining exterior wall. (2nd picture) Next on the list is to re-side two sides of the house. We are currently taking volunteers!

Pumpkinville 2007

My friend Jamie and I have made this a tradition. Last year we took the girls to Leesburg Animal Park around Halloween. They have a kiddie play area and turn everything into "Pumpkinville" The girls liked it last time. This year they LOVED it. Brayden even got to participate in a few events! They had pony rides, huge slides, hay rides, a petting zoo, and of course pumpkins.

Alaina, Mommy and Brayden
We love Genna's funny faces!
Brayden, waiting for the hayride to arrive
"OK... we are ready to get moving!"
Alaina andBrayden

Brayden spent most of his time riding in the stroller.
Alaina playing on the playground
Her facination with horses continues...
Such a big girl now, she went down this HUGE slide all by herself.

Waiting her turn for the pony rides Genevieve and Alaina waiting patiently for the pony.Look at me! I'm riding all by myself! (When it was Alaina's turn to get on the pony she climbed right up the stairs to get into the saddle without ANY hesitation. She couldn't wait to get on there!)

A pat for the pony for being so good.

Her pumpkin as we were leaving. "What a great day!"

Happy 30th Birthday Nic!

Alaina, Pop Pop, Brayden and Nanna

Our Trip to New England

This past weekend we took a trip up to Upton, Mass. ( in the new minivan) to visit Adam and Heather and their family. It was great to spend time with them and to meet the newest addtion to their family, Gavin. While we were there we went apple picking at Lookout Farm which had not only apple picking but also had a petting zoo, and a children's play area.

Brayden and Mallory
Brayden fast asleep
Mallory, Gavin, Jackson, and Brayden
The whole crew
Sunset over NY
Alaina has become an expert apple picker
Alaina and Jackson sharing apples
Heather and her crew
Mallory and Jackson
Daddy and Alaina

Alaina at the top of the hay pyramid
Climbing on the hay pyramid
Jackson, Mallory and Alaina...the apples of our eyes.
The 5 kids
Mallory and Alaina sharing some ice cream

Alaina and Mallory coloring
Good morning.
Mallory, Nic and Alaina petting the goats
Mallory and Jackson petting the sheep
Nic and Alaina playing soccer
Brayden relaxing in his spacious new minivan
Brayden playing in the yard.