Our kids are continuing to grow and make us laugh.

Blake has really started to play with more toys. I often set him in his crib to play while I'm working in there or other places and now he can sit up and play with his aquarium. He turns it on and off and also plays with the knobs on the front. It's so exciting to see him figuring things out.

He has also started to react when we take a toy away that he really likes. He will cry like crazy and let us know that he wants it back right away.

When we put him on his tummy on the Boppy he really gets his knees under him as he's trying to reach for something. We realize it's just another step towards crawling and getting around.

Samantha has started to really pretend and imagine things. Lately she loves playing in the car and pretend that she's driving. When I ask her where she is going she'll say, "Alaska." It seems ever since Tracy went to Alaska she can't talk about going anywhere else.

We raked out deck for the first time last week. I raked all of the leaves into Samantha and she had a ball! She laughed and laughed and the leaves surrounded her. I think that she's really going to enjoy the fall.

Friday evening we went to Boo in the Zoo (basically, trick-or-treating at the zoo). Samantha was a giraffe (her choice) and Blake was a cow. The kids looked adorable in their little outfits as they went around the zoo looking for candy. Samantha was able to jump on an inflatable toy and Travis helped her "fish" for a stuffed little tiger. We really enjoyed going with Maddie and her family. Of course, we couldn't leave the zoo without riding the carousel.

Sunday Blake and I went to a consignment sale and Travis took Samantha for a few hours. Boy, did he spoil her! They went to McDonald's for french fries and play PLUS they went to Starbucks for a special treat. They capped off their time with a few minutes at Imagination Station. The one-on-one time with her dad is really special for Samantha.

Sunday evening we hosted a small get together on the deck for a few friends. Everyone pitched in with the food and we had great soups, cornbread and some yummy caramel apples with chocolate. Samantha was so wired from the food and kids that it took her a while to settle down last night but we survived.

Blake woke up with a runny nose this morning and I'm hoping it's just teeth and not the beginning of cold season. It is must making it a bit difficult for him to sleep.

Showing off those two teeth...

Playing in his crib...

Blake loves playing with the dishwasher...

Playing in the leaves...

Playing with chalk...

Samantha and Blake playing in the kitchen...

Boo in the Zoo with Maddie and Brody...