8 Things

Here goes....

8 shows I enjoy watching:
1) The Office
2) House
3) Extreme Makeover Home Edition
4) Oprah
5) Samantha Who?
6) Heroes
7) The Biggest Loser
8) Rachael Ray

8 things that happened yesterday:
1) stayed home from part of church with Samantha
2) taught a lesson in Relief Society
3) got Sammy vomit on me
4) almost took down Halloween decorations but decided to wait one more day
5) starting planning my talk for next week
6) took Sammy to the ER
7) watched Extreme Makeover Home Edition
8) discussed serious future plans for our family with Marcus

8 things I'm looking forward to:
1) Samantha calling me "mama"
2) Callie playing house
3) more kids (in time, believe me, in time)
4) Marcus finishing his dissertation
5) Marcus getting a job
6) becoming more settled in one place
7) having a home
8) reading at least 12 books in 12 months (some of you do way more, but this is my realistic goal)

8 things I love about fall:
1) colorful leaves
2) sweaters
3) jeans
4) Thanksgiving
5) hot chocolate/hot cider
6) the prelude to Christmas
7) no need to turn on the heater, no need to turn on the AC
8) chili/soup season

8 things on my wish/dream/goal list:
1) 3 bedroom apartment
2) washing machine and dryer
3) a couch
4) play the guitar easily without putting in the work
5) become a bonafide author
6) be a really good mom (this includes being able to do Callie's hair when she's older)
7) start a non-profit organization with Marcus
8) a new pair of jeans

8 people I'm tagging:
1) Kirsten
2) Marci
3) Reagan
4) Arielle
5) MaryIrene
6) Ashley
7) Rose
8) Thad and Julie

Halloween

In true Halloween fashion, this is how I saw Samantha when I got her out of her crib on Friday morning. I couldn't believe it. This picture is NOT doctored at all. This is pure Samantha work. In the crib, I found no hairspray or comb. How she got this to work still baffles me.

Samantha and Callie were both pretty cranky Friday night. They both were starting to get sick. I just got back from the ER with Samantha because she had excessive vomiting. Luckily it wasn't that bad on Halloween. But, she was feeling crummy enough that we couldn't get a really good shot. But here's our little Princess Leia chasing the vacuum cleaner.

And our wise little Yoda. It was a bit big for her. Maybe she'll be Yoda next year too.

We were going to do Star Wars characters too, but costumes for us weren't quite in the budget -- so based on what we already had, we went with the era that Star Wars first entered...1977.

For our Halloween party this year, we had 3 other couples over and they had some pretty fun costumes. The Wagner's were CIA agents. Andrew Border was a Fisher Price doc while Christy was his patient. And the Peer's, well, they were quite a sight -- a dead bride with her newsie. (Too bad my head is covering Marcus up. And, though it clearly looks like it, Samantha isn't grooming me as the monkeys and apes do. Just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page here.)

Don't Mess

Don't Mess With Callie

The Last of the Pumpkin Patch

I swear. This is it. The last bit from our trip to the pumpkin patch. When we took our hay-ride, we sat right behind the tractor that pulled us. Samantha loved it. Callie was intrigued, but Samantha immediately loved it. I think it was a combination of the rumbling sound and the vibration from the tractor. This is a small clip, but it gives you an idea of her simple joy during that hay ride.

Not So Pretty

Oh so sweet.

And we do think Samantha is sweet, but this ain't so pretty! (But it sure does make us laugh pretty hard.)

Pumpkin Patch

In my attempt to start a new family tradition, we drove up to Green Bluff yesterday looking for a pumpkin patch. My idea was to pick out a pumpkin, have apple cider, donuts, and a fun hay ride. We got the hay ride...and good pictures. Where was the apple cider and donuts? No where to be found I tell you! Oh well, probably better anyway.

Marcus with his girls.

In the hay maze.

With those half-crazed eyes, it's as if she knows something that we don't know -- something scary.

Mommy and Sammy

Callie enjoying her throne of pumpkins.

First Steps

And....not only is Samantha kissing us on command, but Callie is really taking steps! What an evening of firsts. She's been playing around with steps for a while, moving one foot and shifting weight. But tonight it's the real deal. When holding on to the couch, she'll turn to walk to Marcus. 3 real steps! Oh what a night.