March Fall Fam Photos

To put a huge exclamation point on this chapter of life we're closing and prepare for an even better one starting so soon (can't believe our sweet baby boy is due on Friday!), we had my wonderful friend, Jori Root, take some family photos a couple weeks ago. To say she is remarkably talented is an understatement. We couldn't be happier with the way she captured each moment. You should definitely consider birchblue photography if you ever find yourself in need of a photographer to commemorate your special occasion!

Fall Fun & Halloween

It's been a while since our last post (no surprise there) so here are photos and highlights from our last month.

We've been celebrating Halloween for the past week it seems. It started last Saturday with trick-or-treating in downtown Wheaton, followed by a pumpkin carving/costume party for small group on Tuesday, a kids costume party for our moms group at church on Wednesday and the real deal trick-or-treating last night. I would say we have gotten our money's worth when it comes to that lion costume - especially considering this is year #2 of Caleb as the little lion man and I bought it from a consignment store (not to mention that his baby brother will make his own appearance in it next year I'm sure). I take back every negative word I ever spoke against my mom for dressing me up as the same darn clown for what seemed like six years in a row (although she claims it was only three).

Caleb & Tim downtown Wheaton.

He's a caged animal (come to think of it - a cage wouldn't be such a bad thing sometimes :))

Small group pumpkin carving

The final products were quite impressive (can you tell we're parents by the Elmo and Cookie Monster pumpkins we carved? Caleb wasn't as impressed as I thought he should be)

There aren't too many costumes out there for the 9 month preggos - nothing a cheap goodwill bball jersey and a little orange paint couldn't fix though.

Plus, people keep telling me I have a basketball in my belly. This used to bother me, but after seeing this, I would have to agree.

Doesn't Tim make a great Mario?!

"Is it cheese, dad??"

"No, son. It's pumpkin guts"

"I guess I'll see what they feel like"

"Ewwww!"

This is my favorite picture from the week - it's these moments that made the rainy trick-or-treating worth it.

Couldn't get Caleb to stand still for two seconds

Caleb just woke up so I don't have time to organize the rest of the photos in a clear timeline or by event, but they're cute nonetheless:

Caleb's Poppy & Gagu were here earlier in October 

A little Saturday morning donut stop at the French Market

Caleb and his buddy Gavin taking a break from playing to enjoy (and eventually steal each other's) snack

Caleb was in heaven having a Grammy all to himself to read books and play while Tim and I enjoyed the Homecoming festivities at Wheaton

This was the best photo I could get of Caleb with pumpkins at Sonny Acres (a pumpkin farm on steriods)

How can you not love these two??

That face!

And that one

And that one too :)

He cannot get enough of his ma mows (clearly "lawn mowers" in toddler talk) 

Reading to Teddy - my heart melts 

There's no better way to play than sans shirt (he's figuring out how to take his clothes off... we're in trouble)

"Dude - stop it with the photos already!"

Family Trip to Milwaukee & the Apple Holler

Yesterday we took off right after work and headed up to Milwaukee for a mini family getaway. Tim planned the entire escapade and couldn't have done better! We ate dinner at a hip and delicious restaurant called Hinterland last night. Caleb was a fantastic third wheel. He sat in his high chair laughing and playing before chowing down and polishing off a giant 1/3 lb. hot dog and hand full of fries (I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before that he knows how to eat, right?) We then walked through the Milwaukee Public Market. If you haven't visited before, I highly recommend it! It's basically a large warehouse type room full of different bakeries, breweries, wine bars, etc. After sitting in the car for two hours and at dinner for another hour, Caleb loved running through the market and charming anyone in site.

We started this morning with a return trip/walk to the Market for breakfast and coffee before kicking off one of my very favorite days of the year. Apple picking was always an annual tradition in the Richardson family, and I love that it has passed down to our little family as well. For Tim and me, this was our fourth trip to the Apple Holler in WI, and a first for Caleb. It couldn't have been a better day for a trip to the orchard - 65 degrees and sunny! 

Loved this place!

It was packed at 8:30 last night... not so much at 8:30 this morning. 

Enjoying his blueberry muffin at the Market

Oh yeah, I forgot we can take pictures of us with this phone too. 

With a wave of thanks to Milwaukee, we headed down to the Apple Holler:

A very sweet (and unprompted) hug for pumpkin boy

A tractor pulling a train! Does it get any better??

We've hit the age where looking at the camera is so uncool

The boys sharing an apple

He isn't the daintiest of eaters

Had to document that baby March #2 also made his first trip to the Apple Holler

And the best part of the day? Definitely the apple cider donuts covered in cinnamon sugar!