Veteran's Day

Jared had the day off. We were going to visit Mount Vernon, but decided instead to go to the large regional park where I used to go as a kid. It was so fun to see Stuart enjoy the same park I loved as a child.

One thing I love about DC is the trees. MAN I missed the trees while living out west!

My boys at the top of the scary big boy slide.

We tried to find a geocache, but were divided by a stream. After hiking and exploring in the windy weather, we were over it. It was an excellent way to celebrate Veterans. We talked about the Veterans in our lives and what we've learned from them.

Thank you to all the many veterans and service men and women, especially those in our families. We love you.

Halloween

Finally they are here! Halloween pictures. After sifting through many options, we decided Stuart should be a bumble bee. It was the most practical costume we already owned: it was the smallest, warmest, and pretty darn cute.

Here are my men at the work party, gearing up for the 31st!

I didn't mean to dress up, but I guess I was a ghost with this washed out white face.

Then at the church party, Jared and I were true to our inner spirits and I dressed as a cow and Jared was a fierce and HOT dragon man!! He is my hero.

Then, finally on Halloween night, I was a gypsy lady (which you can't even see) and Stuart was a dragon. After wearing the bumble bee to the parties he was over it. It was hot and bulky. We hung out with our AWESOME friends B & C and J & L, ate pizza, and enjoyed the trick-or-treaters. Thanks for inviting us! Too bad I got Stu in his PJs before we got a shot of his dragon-ness.

Stuart LOVES this blanket, but that will be another post later.

Thank you to the photographers!

DIY Update

Several weeks ago I asked what you thought about a DIY project. You can see the before photos here. I took your suggestions and spray painted it green - a color we have in several places in the house. Although many say spray painting is easy, I thought it would be easier. I am not very good at it. Don't look too hard. :)

After I painted it I played around with where to put it.....

I tried this corner, and put a couple little things in it. But I wasn't feeling it. The problem with this "shadow box" is that it is not deep enough to put anything substantial in it. There is no room for a normal picture frame; no depth to put a glass bowl with little cute balls; boxes too small to fit more than a lemon. This is what I settled on:

The saying seemed so appropriate for a Do-It-Yourself upgrade:

Use it Up

Wear It Out

Make It Do

Or Do Without

What do you think?

Beautiful Baby Contest - update

Well, I voted every day for my little prince, but ado.... he did not win the contest. Thank you to all that voted for my little mister and who think he's beautiful. Congratulations to the WINNER. May the prize money help the little winner and his family. :)

Hair Cut

This week I cut Stu's hair and he is so handsome. The first time I trimmed it I used scissors. This time I used buzzers and he looks so different. At least I think he does. He's more like a little boy than a big baby. He's so happy too; not bad for being really sick this week. I think he and I both caught whooping cough. But that's not the point. The point is I like his hair cut.

VOTE FOR STU TODAY!!!

OK, friends. I took the most popular suggestion and submitted my beautiful baby boy into the BEAUTIFUL BABY CONTEST. Now all we need is for you to vote!!

Voting is open now. You can vote once every 24 hours from now until November 4. Click Here to view Stuart's photo. Here's how:

1. Go to either the link above or washfm.com keyword baby. Stuart is listed under the letter S
2. Log in or create a login with a valid email address
3. Receive a verification link to the email you provided (they do this so there's no cheating)
4. Click on the verification link in your email and follow the instructions to vote for Stuart
5. VOTE EVERY DAY between now and Nov. 4

The top 10 kids with the most votes will be given to a panel of judges who will pick the cutest baby to win $1,000!

If we win we would either put it in a Stuart fund for his future mission, college, etc OR use it in our down payment to get Stuart a HOME where he can grow up with his future siblings.

Thank you so much for your support. I hope Stuart wins!! We love you Stu!

Halloween Costumes

A couple days ago we received a box in the mail with a dozen costumes for our kid(s)..... Our WONDERFUL Aunt Jenn offered them to us since her kids have outgrown them. This is a REAL TREASURE for me and Jared. Some of the costumes were made by Jared's grandma, his mom, and his aunt Jenn. Others were gifts to the family when Jared was a kid and he wore lots of these when he was little. We have pictures of Jared in the clown costume and it is so hilarious. What an amazing piece of family history we get to keep for our kids!

As I went through the box, Stuart tried on some pieces that fit him.

Moo....

He mostly tolerated it. He removed the hats as soon I got the camera in my hand, and by the last costume (the bumble bee) he was really over it.

What costume should he wear this year?

Spider man

Bumble bee

Dragon

or

Pumpkin?

Japanese Treat

On Sunday night we invited a man over for dinner who we met at church. He was visiting from Japan and we thought he might enjoy a home-cooked meal and some friendly company on his visit. He is American, but works in Japan. He was here on business.

To thank us for the invitation, he brought us his favorite Japanese treat:

What's more, he even even pointed out that they spelled it wrong and it should be "Cream Colon." We had a good laugh. After dinner when our new friend had left, Jared pointed out that our guest and I share a similar sense of humor. :)

They were very tasty, by the way!

Ideas for DIY

Any ideas from the many crafty people I know? How do I make this both more attractive and more useful? I don't have any mini porcelain figurines to justify just hanging it on the wall.

Thank so much!!

More Beautiful Baby

I know most people have voted on their favorite picture from the last post, but MAN I had to include these. He is much better dressed and still melts my heart. (and I tried but failed to rotate these first two)

Contest!!!

I need everyone's opinion on this one - EVERYONE. Please. If you read this, leave a comment.

I found a Beautiful Baby Contest for a local radio station and I've decided to submit a photo of Stuart. After the dozens of people who have stated he should be a model, I should at least do this. If viewers and voters put him in the top ten then a panel could pick him to win $1,000!

Once I submit his photo, I'll post a link to where YOU can vote. And I would appreciate it if you thought Stuart were the most beautiful.... :)

If you were on the panel, which picture of my beautiful baby would you pick? Should I pick a serious or smiley picture? Please write the number in your comment BEFORE October 17th. Stuart IS a beautiful baby and I hope he wins!

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