Craziness...

Things got a little crazy after the last post.  That week Chloe came down with a virus called hand, foot, mouth disease.  It causes a fever (her's was relatively low) and then 2 days later break out in a rash/blister in the above stated areas.  Of course though, Chloe decided to have her rash everywhere - legs and bottom seemed to be the worst.  She didn't act like anything really bothered her, except that the first day she wouldn't eat a whole lot.  The doc said she could see some blisters in her mouth but I couldn't find them and after a day she was eating and drinking just fine.  And then as expected Preston contracted it as well, luckily his wasn't as bad as Chloe's; except his fever was really high 104 on Wednesday at school.  The worst part of the whole virus is that it is very contagious, so we had to stay home all week!  AJ and I switched off days so we each had a shortened week and unfortunately it was the weekend I had a course so AJ had to take off on Friday (darn long weekend, right).  On Thursday when I was home, we played outside and just had a normal day - couldn't tell they were sick at all!  I felt bad missing work when they didn't act sick.  Otherwise we've just kind of secluded ourselves so we didn't pass on this lovely virus!
This past Friday the kids were better and AJ and I were able to take the kids to Parents Night Out at church and go out for dinner and ice cream (and Target) without the kids.  It was a great night and we had a really good dinner at a Brazilian restaurant.
Chloe's vocabulary is growing daily.  Today she counted to 4, we say one then she continues it out; she says Rudy and has a name for Preston which sounds kind of like pray; she will say amen after prayers; and several other things but I can't list them all!  She is growing up before our eyes and I'm not liking it! :)
The Cardinals have made it to the World Series and we are enjoying watching every game - tied 1-1 right now with the Texas Rangers.  Hoping for a Championship!!
Lots of pics -

Poor baby!

 Didn't bother her though...

Do they look sick?

 

Daddy forgot to button her onsie before pulling her pants up!

Crazy kid!

 At Parents Night Out, they did face painting...

Sunday Fun!!

 Little ham...

 

Friday's at home are great!

 "Department of Awesome"

 Working hard on his "homework" :)

Pumpkin Patch!

On Saturday we met our friends down at the McWilliams Pumpkin Patch in West Plains.  We had a lot of fun seeing Anna, Levi, Tate and Hayes whom we hadn't seen since Chloe's birthday party.  They are always very hospitable while we are down there and allow Preston to do all the activities as much as he wants!  It was very difficult to get him out of the barn this year where they had a little maze area for the kiddos with a slide and some other things in there (I didn't go in).  As always he had a great time on the train and seeing all the animals.  This year they added a pig chase, where you have to get the ribbon off its tail, and Preston was really excited to participate - he didn't win, and you can only imagine his response!  Picture below...
Chloe seemed to have a great time too.  She enjoyed walking around and exploring everything.  Neither kid took much of a nap on the way down, so we left earlier than expected with both kids falling asleep on the way home and still going to bed at normal times - I think they were worn out!
We had a fantastic time to say the least.  Can't wait until next year!

That is a lot of pics from just the pumpkin patch and there are even more on our Picasa site!  Happy October!

Update

 Things around here are starting to get a little louder!  Chloe is talking up a storm and Preston seems to think he needs to yell all the time.  Chloe has really begun to show her love of shoes even more than before.  She constantly wants shoes on and loves getting different shoes out to put on.  We've gotten quite a few shoes from my co-worker Melinda's girls so Chloe has a lot to choose from! 
Preston continues to say the funniest things and amazes us as to what he pays attention to in normal everyday life.  His pants from last year were quite short and I had ordered some but the weather turned a little chillier before they got here, so when Preston wore the first new pair he told AJ "I do like my new pants.  They keep my ankles warm when I stand up."!!  Hahaha!  Funny kid.  He also tells me when I'm driving that I need to have both hands on the wheel and they need to be up top not down at the bottom.  I just can't always believe he is only 3!
AJ is staying busy with the freshman and his "normal" class seems to wear him out most days!  I don't know if he could handle 3 classes a day without his honors kids!
I continue to stay incredibly busy at work.  I'm not complaining, but I do think they are going to make me start working more hours and get back up to 40/week instead of 36 - hopefully that can be temporary! 
Tomorrow we are headed down to West Plains to meet Kailey, Mark and Connor to see Anna, Levi, Tate, and Hayes at the pumpkin patch!  We are really looking forward to it and the weather is suppose to be very nice!

Chloe gives kisses all the time!

 

Oh no!

Chloe loves her shoes!

 Playing with Alfie

 Preston is learning to use the camera

 Working on a school project with Daddy

 Kiss, Kiss!

Busy?

It sure seems like we have been very busy lately, but honestly I'm not sure what it is we have been doing!  Just everyday life seems to have gotten a lot crazier...

Chloe is getting bigger and bigger every day - she is talking like crazy and definitely understands exactly what you are saying to her.  She says "shoes" "dog" "ni-nite" "mommy" "daddy" "baba"(blankie) "bup"(cup) "baby" and "bye bye" for sure.  She is such a happy little thing for the most part, but right now she is getting 4 teeth so she has her crabby/crying moments and then there are times where she won't eat a thing most likely because her mouth hurts.  However, tonight she had 2 platefuls of food (taco components) and then her and I went to the grocery store and she ate gold fish and yogurt covered raisins while we were there (and was very upset when I wouldn't give her more)!  Oh yeah and then when we got home she asked for blueberries (which she also says!) - crazy kid!!

Preston, I don't even know where to start!  He is becoming smarter every day.  His vocabulary continues to amaze me and he has such a great imagination.  He likes for us to make up stories to tell him and then he makes up a story too!  My favorite lately began "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl Ali..."  He is becoming even more aware of his surroundings and will say "God made (whatever he sees)"  He loves to go to Sunday school and learn about God!  His prayer the other night was great "Dear God, thanks for everything.  I love you."

AJ and I had our 5 year anniversary on Sept. 9!  We went out the following afternoon/evening without the kids.  Our friends Dave and Greta watched them for us!  It was a great night - we went to a movie, then to a great dinner, and then to an improv theater.  

Chloe loves to wear Preston's backpack

 Preston's shirt from his birthday party

 Blue tongue!

 I think it was a good cupcake!

 Our little monkey!

 Final Springfield Cardinal game - Preston with Louie!

 Where's Preston?

 Found him!

 Chloe's turn to hide!

 Little Hawaiian girl

 Adult night out for our anniversary!

 Love you!