"Lovin' on" Baby "oosie"

Can you imagine what she's thinking?
"Oh boy, here comes another one!" or
"wonder how long 'til I can kiss him back?" or
"Mom, don't let him drop me!!" or maybe just
"I love you too brother!"

Trick or Treating with the Farr's

Jared was away all day on Halloween, so the Farr's helped us out by getting JJ ready and helping us get around for a little "trick or treating" that evening. I had no ideas for JJ, so Anita supplied his Eagles outfit--ISN'T IT GREAT THAT THEY LOVE THE EAGLES TOO??
As you can see, she had a little cheerleader, fireman and teddy bear...we were the most adorable bunch on the block--at least that's what we were told:)
As an aside, in the top left, we are all eating chocolate cupcakes with lots of icing, because we weren't sure if the trick-or-treat bags would gather enough sugar;)

You can see that JJ and Susie dressed alike as a little Eagles' player and his cheerleader:)
It's fun to think about her as his biggest fan down the road when he plays football
(Just so you know: I'm not sure he'll play and I don't think I want her to be an actual cheerleader-no offense cheerleaders;)

Reading at Bedtime

Here's my Dad reading to JJ the last night he was here. It's sweet because I have pictures of PopPop Alleman reading to JJ when he visited too.
I love how JJ is looking at him in the top right picture:)
I don't know if you can tell, but this is the Veggie Tales Bible Storybook and my Dad is reading "Dave and the Giant Pickle" (can you figure out the Bible story that goes with it?) which is the one JJ always wants these days and has memorized...he can finish the sentences and likes to do the sound effects...it's officially adorable!

Pop 'Pecial...

One of the sweetest things about my Dad's visit, was how JJ "took" to him. He looked up at him with wide-eyed wondered and respected and enjoyed him so much! We joke about how JJ looks and acts like my Dad and my Dad will show people one of his baby pictures to prove the point. It was sweet how they really were two "peas in a pod".

The title "Pop 'Pecial" came from the first day when JJ got up from his nap and left my lap to snuggle with PopPop and watch one of his favorites "God Made You Special" from VeggieTales. After this, he kept saying "Pop 'Pecial" and my Dad would say "You 'pecial JJ". This is just something my Dad would say to JJ anyway--it's things like this that he was always showering us kids with...so yeah, this was pretty special for me as well:)

Don't you love it?

Smile and *sigh*...if only they weren't 1000 miles apart...

PopPop and Nana Marie visit & Brandon's Birthday

My Dad was quick to snatch up lil baby Susie and was also quick to tell her how special she was like her namesake. He loves babies and it was so fun to see him with her.

Nana Marie was great with both JJ and Susie. They both loved her as she cuddled with Susie and calmed her down when she was fussy and played trucks with JJ...it was sweet:) (they did get spoiled, but that's ok when grandparents live far away;)

While they were here, our neighbor and Florida Family, Brandon, turned 3. His mom, Anita, wanted to do something special for his birthday. We went to this play center called "Amaya Papaya" and the kids LOVED IT! Here my Dad is showing the boys the trains...it was so sweet how Anita's kids (Brandon, Abby and JJ) all "took" to my Dad and Marie too. Since JJ shares everything with them and vice versa, it seemed "right" to share PopPop too! It was sweet as both Anita's and my Dad are "farmers" and her Dad (Grampa) passed away this summer, so we think my Dad reminded them of him:)

There was a PLAY chainsaw that Brandon, the Birthday boy, loved but so did his Princess sister Abby--you can see it tired her out (bottom right) and then for the JJ's--lil JJ loved being a policeman (so cute!) and big JJ (my JJ) loved the Jumper. It's great that his cousins have one in their playroom--so he will have lots of fun with them at Christmas!!

PopPop and Nana Marie Visit-Epcot

We found out after my Dad and stepmom
(btw, hate this term, can you offer a better one--more personable?)
that she really wanted to visit Epcot--had never been and wanted to "check it out". After my Dad seemed to think it was too much money, I (respectfully;) told him that his wife didn't ask for much and he should take her there! Since it was the last day of their all-too-short visit, we decided we needed to go with them. JJ is still pretty young for it, but it was a great, full day! I had never been to any of the Disney parks, so all of this was a first for me too!

Some Epcot Scenery...my stepmom and I talked about how we had pictured it differently...sheepishly I say that I thought everything was in "the ball" since it's so big and the trademark...so, it was different, but beautiful.
Can you tell which country is behind us in the bridge shots?

While we waited for Dad and Marie who were watching France's Circle Vision show, there was a man outside doing this stunt with the chairs. JJ kept saying "tall tower" and was mesmerized as he built it up. It was pretty amazing, culminating in his handstand on the bottle of wine.
Incidentally, the Circle Vision panaramic shows were my stepmom's favorite, exclaiming after the France one, "that was worth the WHOLE price of the ticket!" For those of you who haven't been to Epcot, there are 3 of these in Canada, China and France.
(I only got to see Canada as I was walking with the kids for France and had to leave in the middle of feeding Susie during "China" because there were no seats!--I'll know better next time)

Epcot/Disney Quiz: Can you figure out which countries/characters are featured in the collage below?

On our way out, I decided to check out "Innovations" where there was this big "Shape Sorter" (what I told JJ) that was supposed to teach what is needed in a "Disaster Relief Kit". He really loved putting all of the items in there place and then back on the shelf...it was something fun and I was glad we stumbled upon it. Btw, the items they chose for the kit were: batteries, flashlight, pet food, a teddy bear, water, first aid kit

We were very tired and got lots of sun--it was record heat for Florida!! My legs couldn't move after I had walked around the whole lake (twice) once by myself so JJ could nap, but worth it.

FYI: Anyone thinking of visiting us, we were able to buy for Jared and myself (JJ is still free) a Disney seasonal weekday pass for Florida residents. It was the same price as two single day admissions, so WHEN you visit us, we'll be able to join you at any of the parks! (there are certain blackout days--Christmas/New Year's, end of March/early April and in the hot summer!)

Susanne Elizabeth

at 6 weeks...
the time has flown and will only continue to do so...
You are a beautiful, pudgy, adorable little baby girl and we love you!