So it seems like an odd Thanksgiving tradition and one PETA might not approve of, but we had a lot of fun anyway. Most of the time when it comes to traditions, I start them and never really carry them forward to the following years. I think this one will stick, though. Candy, baseball bat, aggression -yep, all the makings of a wonderful family tradition.
My mom and dad came for a short visit. Okay, it was two weeks, but any visit is my opinion is too short. My dad does all sorts of home projects that Jeff and I never get around to doing. My mom and dad love spending time with the kids doing activities, and when the kids are otherwise entertained, they are doing dishes and cleaning my neglected home. During this glorious time, I sleep in, take naps, go on real dates with Jeff and go shopping by myself! Did I mention sleeping?
Ethan is getting to the age where any pictures of him smiling normally is a rarity. However, these photos do capture his blossoming "entertainer" personality.
I just had to post this cute picture of my darling bunny pie. We are proud to announce she has found her belly button, ears and nose. She really likes finding my belly button too. My favorite, though, is that she loves to give hugs. Ethan is a kisser, she's a hugger. Either way, I am one happy mommy.
Again, a little late, but here they are. Ta Da!
Jeff the dodgeball player
Ethan the racecar driver - he was totally "green." His tank ran for hours on sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.
Our little flower loved that pumpkin and worked so hard to pick it up!
All the Halloween cheer knocked our little flower out! Snuggling with papa.
A friend in our ward threw a Halloween party after the official "Trunk or Treat" had ended. Mostly I wanted to post this picture because I was so proud that Ethan went to the refreshment table and amidst all the treats, he took a (drum roll please...) a cauliflower! I was so proud!
On October 18th, we went to the Washington State Pumpkin Patch in Marysville, WA. The owners sculpted a giant corn maze the shape of Washington State, complete with replicas of the Space Needle, ferries, the Peace Arch (on the American-Canadian Border) and the major freeways (complete with construction and closures, of course).
Although it was tempting to leave Ethan in the corn maze for a couple of hours, we decided to just do the hay ride, barn maze, pumkin patch, petting zoo, rope swings, donuts and apple cider.
The petting zoo had a special toddler area where the kids could hold animals. We were so impressed how tenderly Ethan held this little kitten! We were also glad he's not old enough to want to bring it home.
Boys and tractors. Inseparable.
What can I say, I have a darling little boy.
Better than a tire swing - a horse tire swing.
This experience we had in the hay barn documented in the following photos made Jeff and I seriously consider moving to a farm, buying a barn, stuffing it full of hay and turning Ethan loose. It reminded me of the visa credit card commercials.
Camera: $600
Admission to farm: $15
Pictures of joyful, care-free childhood : Priceless 
The hay ride. Ethan looks scared in this picture, but he was actually munching on Kettle Corn. Hmmm.
Ethan is a picky little guy. Here, he was on the search for the perfect pumpkin.
Found it!
Jeff recently went to San Francisco to visit a few jazz alleys, photograph some of the gorgeous views and a little training for work (but who wants to hear about that?). Here are two of the pictures he took of the views.
If any of our friends are wondering why we haven't had them over for dinner recently...here's why. We are still working on meal-time manners. Usually Jeff and I barely have a chance to sit down. Sienna will not stay in her high chair (she prefers to sit on the tray) and loves to test the law of gravity (yep, still works) by throwing her food. Ethan loves to wipe food in his hair (why dirty a napkin?) and climb on the table (why let Sienna get all the attention?). Dinner time can be quite a law enforcement exercise for Jeff and I (but it burns calories, right?)
That's a cucumber seed on her nose.
Sitting on her dinner.
Ethan is always extraordinarily proud when he gets dressed all by himself. He usually hops around acorner and exclaims, "ta da!" Here he is, all ready for church: shirt, tie (inside his shirt)and of course, "pikey hair" (a.k.a. spikey hair). We're proud of you too, Ethan!
So we recently discovered Richmond Beach in Shoreline. It was quiet and beautiful. We even let Sienna crawl around and experience the texture of sand for the first time - she loved it. 
Ethan found some burnt wood in a fire pit and decorated himself like a warrior with the ashes - ahhh...little boys.
We went to the Evergreen State fair and had a lot of fun as a family. We also discovered how sneaky fairs are at weaseling money out of you. First the admission, then the overpriced food, then the rides require tickets, go buy the tickets, etc...argh.
Anyway, Ethan had a great time on his first roller coaster rides. Several of the rides required an adult, so Jeff and I, eager to relive our childhood, went with him.
His expression says it all.
Yea for the tractors! This ride was free!
One of the fun things about fairs is seeing the all farm animals: cows, goats, sheep, enormous pigs, zebra, reindeer, geese, turkeys (they really do say "gobble, gobble"). We witnessed a piglet race, as well as a cow milking contest. Having logged 2 1/2 years as a nursing mother I can empathize with those cows.
First birthdays aren't so much for the child as they are for the parents. Hooray for surviving the first year! Anyway, Sienna had fun tearing apart a cupcake.
Mmmmm....sticky fingers.
Time for a bath!
