Pretty, Pretty Princess{es}

Aly finally decided to be a princess for Halloween, but I thought...maybe...since Hannah is still little she could wear one of Aly's old costumes and be a pumpkin or a monkey. I don't know what I was thinking!! Hannah wants to be JUST like Aly, so she threw a "ROYAL" fit when Aly put her costume on...she wanted a pretty princess dress too! At 5:30, only 30 minutes before Trick or Treat started, I had to rush with Hannah to Meijer and pray there was a princess costume left. The stars were aligned and Jesus was watching my back because there was ONE pink, sparkle-y costume left - and it was Hannah size!! We rushed back, got changed and went searching for treats. We went farther than I thought we would given neither of them had had naps and the ended up with a sizable stash of goodies.

Hannah could not wait 'til we got home...here she is with her lickable loot ;)

Late Night Carvings

Lily Goat

We knew when we rescued Lily that she was only part beagle and we have always wondered what she was mixed with. Today, at the pumpkin patch, we figured it out! She is half beagle and part goat! We saw her long lost second cousin, Billy, today. Take a look and see for yourself...

I totally see the resemblance!

Pumpkins: Round 3

We made our final visit to the pumpkin patch today with my side of the family: Grandma and Grandpa; Emily and Kevin; and Jordan and Andrea. Hannah had a pretty good time, but Aly was so tired she didn't really enjoy anything this time around. In fat, she was so sleepy we didn't even get a pumpkin...it is ok though - we already have 6 on our front porch!!

**As a side note, we really like Kevin...Emily better hold on to this one! Dan keeps trying to get him to move back to Columbus by offering to let him live in our basement. So far he hasn't taken us up on the offer. Dan just wants a football buddy...if I could give birth to a 22-year-old son, he would be set!**

Hannah-eese

Hannah has become quite the little chatterbox over the last few weeks...the only problem is that you need a translator some of the things she says. She definitely has some words down, but here is a quick reference guide to some of my favorites:

"he" - here

"unk" or "ook" - look

"nummies" - any food or drink

"bow bow" - Blue's Clues

"dee" - Dora

"daddy" - mommy

"daddy" - daddy

She is such a sweet girl! And so smart...just like her big sister!!

Red Peppers and Sausage

If these were the only two items of food in the house the girls would be happy. Aly,when she actually eats, is our meat eater. She likes processed meat, especially sausage, and wants it for every meal of the day. The only two vegetables she will even touch are broccoli and green beans.

Hannah on the other hand is our little vegetarian. She rarely eats meat...period. She doesn't even really like cheese! You can not force the child to eat a hot dog if it was the last food on earth. But when it comes to fruits and veggies (again, if she is going to eat) she is our queen. Her favorite veggie is red peppers...just cut into strips. Of course the both love milk and yogurt, but this makes it a little difficult to cook meal in the Bender home. What can you make with sausage, raw red peppers and milk...that won't gag Dan and I?? If you think of anything let me know!!

Pumpkins: Round 2

Pigeon Roost has become the new family tradition! This farm, in Kirkersville, is AWESOME!! They have an entire harvest festival set up with soooooo much to do! They have children's activities, live animals (including camels...because nothing says Fall in Ohio like a camel) and tons of Fall goodies. We went last year for the first time and the girls LOVED in, so we went back again this year. Again, because Jordan was sick my family could make it (maybe for round 3) but Dan's mom and Aidan went with us this time. The weather was PERFECT! Seriously. I. Love. Fall. Have I mentioned that?!?!?

Apples and Pumpkins: Round 1

Apple picking and the pumpkin patch at Lynd's Fruit Farm has been a Fall tradition in my family for years. Since Jordan was sick, Brittney was working and Emily was out of town it just ended up being the four of us. We had a great time picking apples and searching for the perfect pumpkins. When we got home Aly and I made Apple Crisp and we built a fire to roast marshmallows. I love Fall!

Let me test the apple first...

Pick up one...loose three.

Where is that perfect pumpkin????

Aly insisted on carrying her own pumpkin even though it was heavy.

She told us, "I am really having a hard time!"

Aly was being goofy putting the pumpkin on top of her head...

so, of course, Hannah had to do the same!! Except her arms were a little too short!