This week we went to the park and Hans ran the whole way there. I now know Ellie is going to be called legs. A friend at the park saw her in the swing and said her legs are so long. We had some cool weather so we put Elle in her fur coat. She looked so cozy.

Hans went to get a few things from the grocery store for me, and he also came home with a snickers bar and M&M's. He wanted me to make cookies so he helped by taking out the ingredients. Talk about sugar rush!

We hit 20,000 this week. Right Before Elle was born I wasn't sure if people were reading the blog, so I didn't know if I should keep it up. I figure now people must be reading it so I will keep on posting. Thanks to all of you who stay involved in the lives of Hans and Ellie!

Elle turned six months so we went to get our family pictures taken. The photographer never showed so I called every place and JC Penney was nice enough to get us in. I was afraid we wouldn't be able to get picture taken so I took some of the kids. The pictures turned out great! Hans doesn't like to take pictures, but he took model like pics. He put on his polo blazer and looked so GQ. Elle always takes good pics.

We went to Home Depot for the building project, but it was so busy. Instead Hans decided he was going to climb the ladders.

I gave Elle her first banana before bed time and she wouldn't let go of the holder.
Our happy girl loves to play on her blanket. This week the temperature really dropped so she now able to wear some of her winter clothes. It was sad because many of her outfits she never was able to wear.

We got this car from Dana. Hans likes to push Elle all around the neighborhood. She will stay in there for hours. When I took her out she started to cry.

Hans is such a little helper. He is putting the dishes away for me. I am sometimes amazed on how he knows how to do so much. So when can I get him started on folding laundry?
Hans loves being with Taylor. We decided to have her babysit for Hans. She comes over all the time to play with Hans and he totally loves being around her. So Saturday night she watched them. The only problem she had is working Marks $700 remote, we all understand Taylor. Hans loved being with her, he stayed up till 10 pm. Then on Sunday he played with her some more.

Paula is here! Paula came from Texas to stay with Ria. Instead our Friday family night I went out to a pampered chef party and then I head with Alicia over to Ria's house. Mary, Ria, Alicia, Paula and I ended up in Antioch. We went to a place Ria and Alicia go to regularly. It was quite the outing. What I learned!

1. Cougars are woman over 40.
2. Watch out for girl fights!
3. Do not to pick up a purse that you assume is one of your friends, especially when the cops are around. If you do don't bring it back when someone is screaming who took my purse.
4. And always tell people you are not from around here and pass them on to one of your friends.
5. Finally Tim is the king of Antioch.

It was quite an interesting evening. Then on Saturday night we got together again for Oktoberfest. We got to enjoy interesting karaoke. The video when we all joined in wouldn't load, we all had a great time. The singing definitely improved when Denise started to sing she has an amazing voice. She performs in musicals. It is so wonderful we all are different ages and have kids of all ages, but it just doesn't matter. When we get together we just have the best time.

Ria, Alicia, Mary, Denise, Me, Paula and Laura. We got together to take our Oktoberfest picture. Ethelyn and Patti weren't in it because they had to leave to take care of their kids.
The neighborhood Fall Festival was this weekend. We spent the afternoon in the park getting snow cones, cotton candy, rode the train around the neighborhood and spent time on time on the inflatables. Hans loved the octopus and when it was time to leave I told him he has one more time to go through it. He stayed in there for 30 minutes. We were laughing because we couldn't get him out. The moment he decided he was done he walked out and hopped in the stroller to drink his water. It was a good thing Elle was sleeping. What a little pistil! You can see him in the middle of it avoiding getting out.

Hans got a taste of his first snow cone. He ate it while he watched the reptile guy bring out a giant turtle. The reptile man work with Steve Erwin.

Hans jumped in the ball pit. There were two twin boys that joined him. He just loved being in there with them.
Hans love being in the octopus. He spent most of his time in there.

Hans was so ready to go and eat he ran up to Daddy.

Getting ready to go to the spaghetti dinner.

This week we went out to pick some more cherry tomatoes. Hans likes to pick all different colored ones some that aren't ripe, some perfect and some that are gross. Then Thursday night we went to the cheer leading spaghetti dinner with Britney. We decided to leave because we had waited over 30 min and they were out of everything besides we were told the food was bad. I don't think they expected to have 1500 people, so we ended up at taco bell and ran into tons of my students.

Everyone who reads this please go to bornalivetruth.org It is so sad!

Last Night, we couldn't decide what to do, so we went to the park and out to Culver's. On the road we went passed the drive in and saw they were showing ET and Jaws. Mark being a huge Spielberg fan thought this should be the first drive-in for the kids. We watched ET outside. When Jaws started we moved inside because Elle woke up. We had such a great time the only thing Mark and I decided is next time we need to try to plan ahead.


As you can see from the pictures Hans was a little camera shy. No it was just that when it was pitch black the flash killed the eyes.

Ellie has graduated to the walker. She likes being able to go everywhere and she especially loves when Hans pushes her around. I haven't seen this yet, but Mark says she laughs and has her big grin.
Last Friday night, it was pouring outside, so we decided to do family movie night. We let Hans watch part of Jurassic Park because he is so into dinosaurs and we got Lou Malnati's pizza, again. When I was a kid we were allowed to eat pizza in the living room on a blanket and watch a movie, so we thought it was a good idea to start this tradition.

My Ralph Lauren boys watching one of their favorite movies. Hans is now pick out his clothes and shoes and he alway want to wear his clothes that are Ralph Lauren, just like Daddy. Although Mark also like to wear his Star Wars t-shirts.

Two weeks ago Grandpa Rich and Grandma Cindy came up to give us their Honda Accord. It was such a nice gift, we are so thankful they did that for us. While they were here Hans and Elle had fun when Grandma played with them.

What a day! Well today I came into work and received an email that I need to go and take the state test for science. They want me to take it so I can teach Honors chem and AP. The only thing is I don't want to teach anymore that is why I am going for my masters so I can become a dean. I am waiting to hear if I am going to have to. The test covers all of the sciences including earth science which I haven't taken. I am freaking out a little. I think it is just because I don't want to have to add studying for the other sciences, besides all my masters work. I know Chem and Bio, it is just Physics and Earth. Please pray that it will all work out! I just would really like to be a dean.

It was a late night Friday and an early morning Saturday for the Home depot kids building project. We were all so tired! Hans built a paper football field goal. After we got back Hans and Elle took a 4 hour nap. Then he got up and I took the kids to church. Hans loves the huge train slide at church. I am looking forward to tomorrow Grandpa and Grandma are coming to give us Grandpa's Honda Accord. I am so thankful that they are giving it to us. Mark takes the train to work so he will use it to get back and forth from the train.

Elle will not keep her socks and shoes the entire time she kept getting them off. Her feet are narrow so it is easy for her.

Friday Family Fun Night! Every Friday Mark and I are going to take Hans and Elle somewhere fun, so we decided to go to chucke cheese. Hans stayed up until midnight. His favorite game is the basketball hoops he stands on the part where the balls come down and the boys shoot the ball. Elle and I enjoyed the roller coaster simulation ride. We went for dinner at Olive Garden and then headed to Best Buy. Mark was thrilled because he finished up Hans and Elle's he-man and she-ra collection.

Ellie loves to play on the her blanket on the floor so Hans and I decided to join her. Daddy got Hans dressed and put shorts on him that were to big so they kept falling off. Hans eventually decided he had enough of them and went around in his diaper.

We are definitely getting into the routine of being back at work. It has been nice because Mark is now off Friday evenings. Since Mark works Tues and weds night we get together with Hanzie's friends for dinner. It works out well. This week we were with Christian.