::Halloween::

Jackson, as you may remember, is obsessed with Toy Story so it was no surprise who he wanted to be for Halloween. He LOVES his Buzz costume! He says he's a space ranger. We took Jackson to our nearby shopping center to meet his buddies Celeste and Max for some daylight trick-or-treating on Saturday. The different stores had people passing out candy and Jackson couldn't take his eyes off all the kids in their costumes. Sierra waited in the LONG line to ride the firetruck...and then just before it was our turn, the battery died. Oh well...we sat on it for a photo and went to get more candy.

After letting Jackson eat a few pieces of candy, Mommy Nannette came to watch him for the evening! Sierra and I attended an adult party at Kevin and Sarah's. A fun date night! We went to a local bar in Cardiff and everyone was in costume. People are so creative! We went as the Beekeeper and Queen Bee. =)

The Hinches announce their pregnancy!
Kelly and I are 9 weeks apart!

Tonight we will dress up for Jackson so we can trick-or-treat our neighborhood. Jackson insisted on these costumes...to be continued!

Little Kickers!

Team Thumpers -- 2 year olds -- October 2011

Jackson's last day with Coach Cody and the Thumpers was yesterday. He will start the next level next week--Cottontails. We won't be involved as much during these lessons but that's fine with us! We can't wait to be spectators! At the end of the last lesson, the kids were given medals and lined up for a team photo. SO CUTE! These little guys are all two and full of energy. Jackson was so proud of his medal he wore it until bath time.

green "grass" stuck in his hair after the parachute activity



high five from Coach Cody!



SO PROUD!

"See my medal?!"

last Team Thumpers cheer!

two hugs for Coach!

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and I really popped out this week! Riley is getting bigger and bigger! Here I am at the beginning and ending of my 25th week...

Way bigger than a soccer ball!

Jack Patch

After soccer practice on Saturday we gave Oma's Pumpkin Patch another try. Last year we went just after it rained and there were a TON of flies...you could see them in our pictures! This year there were a lot less flies, but it's a dairy farm...so you get the ambiance of farm life. There's a lot for a toddler to do at Oma's so that makes it more fun for the sporty tykes (minus the fly swatting). Auntie Autumn and cousin Junior met us. Jackson was old enough to sled down hayseed mountain--so fun! I think he enjoyed counting the pumpkins more than selecting one to take home. 

Hayseed sled ride!

Speaking of country living, as Scripps Ranch loves to claim...we found a rattlesnake in our garage this yesterday afternoon! It was a little guy but still...scary! Sierra carefully carried it on a shovel to the nearby hills...luckily it was the first one we have seen this snake season...which is ending soon. 

NEWSFLASH! Jackson learned to pedal his bike! He looked so BIG and proud riding his bike with dad running behind. We were so happy, too, because he can finally reach the pedals and push them! After seeing his buddy Kason (who celebrated his 2nd birthday yesterday) look so cool in his sunglasses, Jackson decided he needed a pair as well. Cars, of course. Cars shirt, Cars bike, and Cars shades. 

And Baby Riley continues to grow! Look...he/she is the size of a pumpkin at almost 25 weeks! At my doctor's visit this past week, Riley was measuring two weeks ahead of schedule which could mean a lot of things but the doctor told me not to worry (fatty!). Just kidding! Actually, I weigh 7 pounds less at this point than I did with Jackson. It all evens out at the end, though, right? 

Riley loves to kick and move around in his/her womb...just like Big Brother did when he was taking up this space. Sierra and Jackson can feel these kicks now, too. This pregnancy is going by so fast! Little Riley will be here soon! 

Kissing Baby Riley

Have a fabulous week leading up to trick-or-treating!

Fall is here!

Fall is one of my favorite seasons and I think I enjoy it more now as a mom. I love decorating the house for fall, choosing pumpkins, sitting by a fire (can't wait for our first in our new home!), and of course who can resist the scent of sweet  and warm cookies baking in the oven like these pumpkin cookies Jackson helped me make the other night?! Baby Riley really even enjoyed the finished product from his/her womb! 

Santa Claws makes an early appearance! 

Speaking of pumpkins...is there one in my belly? Here I am at the start of my 22nd week...by the end of the week I couldn't button my jeans anymore. Maybe we ate too many cookies!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (thanks, Nicole!)

Preheat oven to 350.

In a mixer or large bowl:

1/2 cup butter (softened)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup canned pumpkin (I use about 2 cups though for a more moist cookie)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon if that's all you have)

2 1/2 cups flour

1-2 cups milk chocolate chips

Mix sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla. Combine the rest of the ingredients into the bowl and mix. Drop onto a cookie sheet by heaping tablespoons. Bake for 12-15 minutes @ 350. Yum!