31.10.13

pumpkin carving


last year at halloween ever was almost 7 months old and when we did our festive traditions she didn't care too much but this year was a different story.  as usual we watched nightmare before christmas while carving pumpkins.  ever colored on a little pumpkin with a pen and she loved that.  she was amazed (maybe frightened) watching us carve as you'll see by her expression while she is standing in the background.  she danced a bunch to the music on nightmare before christmas which was perfect entertainment for will and i.
  
confession:  we carved fake pumpkins.  i love real pumpkins so much and earlier in the month i had bought some of the specialty ones like the knucklehead and fairytale varieties, plus lots of small pumpkins that ever has really enjoyed.  i failed to buy traditional carving pumpkins because i kept putting it off for a time that the three of us were at the store together to pick them out.  then last week all 3 of us were down and out with an awful cough/cold and everything seemed to take a back burner.  i forgot how close we already were to halloween.  we went to buy pumpkins a couple nights ago and after stopping at 4 different locations we were empty handed.  i was ready to give up but will saved the day with a stop at home depot where he found fake pumpkins that could be carved.  it wasn't quite the same experience but it was still fun and a lot less messy.  besides i'm happy we can have them for years to come.  our traditional carving night seemed sort of rushed and not prepared because i had been at the dentist earlier in the day having work done hence the reason i'm hiding my painful puffy face in the pictures.  maybe this year didn't go exactly as planned but ever thought it was the most amazing night and really it was.  watching her excitement with holidays is certainly something new and special that will and i both really enjoy.














it looks like ever is trying to make the pumpkin i carved kiss the pumpkin will carved.....how appropriate.  

21.10.13

42/52



portrait a week 42/52
ever has a new love....the love of baking.  
yaya gladly helped her discover that love a couple days ago.  




16.10.13

41/52

portrait a week 41/52
always moving and always happy to be going to church.  




8.10.13

40/52

portrait a week 40/52
what a messy day we've had so far.  
we went out to meet up with will at lunch but then ever ended up vomiting all over herself.
it happened without any warning and i'm still not sure what caused it.  she isn't acting sick so hopefully it was just a fluke thing.  our lunch plans didn't happen because i quickly turned around to get home and clean ever up....luckily will came home to help....now to finish scrubbing up the blasted carseat.  i'm sure if ever watches while i clean it she'll say "is so messy".  frequently i find her taking wipes from the container and scrubbing walls while saying "is so messy".  the last couple days ever has amazed me even more with her cuteness.  each day she wakes up a little smarter and funnier.
we took a bunch of pictures yesterday but this one made the cut for our portrait a week.  in the next few days i'll share some of the others and some cute stories as well.  
p.s. today is my dad's birthday and i've thought about him more than usual, as i do each year on this day and other significant days.  i also thought about how 2 years ago today was when i announced that i was pregnant with ever.  time goes by so fast.  way too fast.  

6.10.13

adventures in the mountains


yesterday we spent a good part of the day out at my mom's. 
ever was beyond thrilled to have outdoorsy adventures.....that is her thing.
we hiked



we played in dirt and explored.

get ready for some redundant shots...i couldn't decide which ones i liked best.




we found cool rocks to bring home.

i grew up in these mountains and for the first time i saw things i'd never seen before due to the summer wildfire caused erosion and major monsoon storms.  basically this entire wash area is way wider and deeper plus things like this huge rock formation will is standing on were uncovered.  

trees where uprooted and it was really actually neat to see things so different.  
we found treasures that had probably been buried for years like old metal things and lots of neat rocks.  



i was amazed by the roots hanging out.



back at the house ever met a baby tarantula.  
she was intrigued by it until it got a little too close to her.

ever was thrilled to take wheelbarrow rides.  
that might have been the highlight of her day.




along with being near the dogs.  

it is a happy thing to see the dogs we love but it feels so different with three of them instead of five.  
there is such a different dynamic and feeling.  
makes me sad.

ever seems to think every day should be like yesterday.