Halloween!

This halloween was super fun! It started out with out Branch Party, continued with the Sisters Halloween Parade through town to trick-or-treat through all the businesses (since there aren't a lot of neighborhoods in our town) and ending with homemade doughnuts and good friends!

Don't try to tell him he was a shark, Bauer insisted he was NemoFishy all night.

My good friends daughter McKenna was sooo awesome and helped him get a hang of the whole trick-or-treating thing. She's so great!

I was a bad mom and didn't dress Griffin up-- but I did find this killer "my first halloween shirt" in the hand-me-down bin. Thanks Mandy or Jyl! :)

My sister Mandy has been making homemade doughnuts as a halloween tradition for a while now and I decided to give it a try. I didn't remember to grab my camera until they were all almost gone, but I was actually pretty proud of myself. They were totally Yummy- we'll have to keep this tradition going!

Boys will be Boys!

After dinner one night, Andrew asked if he could make a wresting ring for Bauer and him. He followed it up with "i promise to put everything back!" Apparently he realized his wife is a little OCD about the house and a messy house can get me stressed and cranky VERY quickly. Of course I said yes, how bad can a few blankets be right? Boy was I wrong! Not a few seconds later I see Andrew rounding the corner with the mattress off Bauer's bed. You can imagine my first thought-- "He messed up the made bed!" ok- maybe only people that know me real well (or have the maiden name Silliman) would have imagined that thought.

Don't worry, I controlled the OCD inside of me and fake smiled, trying to pretend that them having fun was more important to me than my perfectly tucked in sheet, tidy quilt, decorative pillows, and the strange satisfaction I get when I can pull back his bed perfectly while he's in the bath.

Bauer's eyes lit up when he figured out what was going on and the hysterical laughs of my precious 2 year old helped me forget about the fact I was going to have to remake that completely when they were done : )

if you're wondering, this is Bauer jumping off the couch behind him onto Andrew's back. I think we have a WWF fighter on our hands.

all tuckered out! by the way-- they just HAD to change into their "wresting" clothes. That Blazer jersey is the most thug thing Bauer had in his closet.

a more recent picture of my boys before bed one night. These boys mean the world to me- I love them more than words could ever express!

ps- look at the chunkster! i could seriously eat him!

Carving Pumpkins!

Such a fun night together! We had the "halloween party" station blaring on Pandora and we carved out "pa-kins" that Bauer has been asking about for a week.

Bauer actually thought this whole cleaning out the pumpkin process was sorta gross. He was wayyy more in to dancing to the Monster Mash:

Griffin mostly just did this:

Bauer's new super attractive smile. I guess 'smile' and 'squint' sorta sound the same:

Bauer's pumpkin "stitched up" thank you disneyfamily.go.com for the easy idea:

the "adult" pumpkin. We were trying to be different, but it's

just a little scary now that I look at it. Or maybe it's the creepy man holding it...

What it's all about...

I ended a great Sunday (2 hour nap and all, can you tell?! :) with these two precious boys cuddling with me. It was one of those moments for me-- i felt so fulfilled, so full of love, so humbled, and so very very grateful. This is truly what life is all about!

In other news:

- Griffin had his 2 week check up last week. They were hoping he'd be back to his birth weight...yeah well he gained 9 ounces from his birth weight. WOO HOO Griff!

- Griffin was 2 weeks old and hadn't been to a college football game yet-- can you believe that?! haha. Well I thought it was a shame too, and it just so happened that BYU was in town playing Oregon State. It also so happened that although I had bought Andrew tickets to go, I didn't think I'd be already feeling up to it- nor did i think it would be 70 and sunny and that my parents would happen to have 2 extra tickets....needless to say, we packed the boys up and headed to Corvallis to see the Cougs in action. It was SOOOO fun. I'm glad I didn't give into that voice in my head and stay home, afraid people would report me to the authorities for bringing my newborn out. We stupidly didn't get a single picture-- I know, HORRIBLE, but it was such a fun day and both boys did great! Plus, the Cougs got a win and I was able to rub it in the face of just a few old friends!

1 week old!

he's here!

Griffin Gray Ellis

born Thursday, September 29th @ 8:05 am

7 lbs, 20 inch long

big brother loves to hold him and give him kisses

loving our little family of 4:

Mommy and baby are doing well!

We're soooo happy and relieved that Griffin is here, happy and healthy! The c-section went great and I'm recovering quickly. We were even able to come home a day earlier than expected!

Grandma is here taking very good care- we're SOOOO grateful for her help.

Griffin is a super good baby. He's a great eater and sleeps well too (it helps that my mom comes and gets me when he's ready to eat!) He's a joy to have and has brought that special spirit into our home that only a newborn can bring.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, they were truly felt.

Today I love...

- the stage we're at where I can make something a race and Bauer will go wherever I need him to go. All it takes is a simple, "I'm gonna beat you, Ready Set Go!" and he's on the bed getting dressed instead of running circles naked through the house laughing.

- PEPCID AC . Thank you from a big fat prego lady that was seriously DYING from heartburn.

- Date night with my husband. Mandy and Bart are in town and treated us to a babysitter and dinner out. Andrew and I don't do it often (or ever) and I loved every second of it. I love him so much. Yummy fish tacos, lots of laughs, and great conversation was just what I needed. Thank you Dicksons!

- PJ's, College Football, US Open, and Bauer's obsession with cars and trains. It makes for a perfect lazy morning when Bauer decided sleeping wasn't on his list of to-do's last night about midnight...

- did I mention Pepcid AC????

- the feeling of Fall being right around the corner. Cool nights, sunny days with a light breeze, friday night football games down the street- i LOVE this time of year!

- Bauer.

- BYU's game time planning. Thank you for being during Bauer's naptime!

- the fact that this close to the end of pregnancy, I give myself permission to wear the same pants everyday. Good thing since they are the only ones that fit!

- This picture...SOOOO BAUER--

ok, maybe this one...

Ok- I love them all!!

Time Flies!

My blog has been feeling very neglected lately-- we've been having a great summer with the highlight DEFINITELY being getting into our new house (THANK YOU MOM!) Any pictures I've attempted to take of the house does not do it justice so I'm not posting any. WE LOVE IT so much--more than words can express-- and are so grateful to have the opportunity to be settled in a more long term place. It instantly felt like Home and that is a blessing beyond belief.

Bauer and I have spent a lot of time at the Black Butte pool, at the new Sisters Park that rocks, talking walks in our neighborhood, shooting hoops in the backyard and trying new recipes. Andrew does some of those things with us when he has a minute, but he is staying really busy at work (yeay!) and with the Young Men. We are soooo grateful for his hard work and are so proud of the success he's having.

It's no secret that I stink at taking pictures. But I have managed to snap a few as of late:

Our first pet (caught in the backyard and given a VERY realistic habitat in this tupperware if you ask me...) Bauer LOVED it and affectionately named him Froggy. We didn't want to really keep it so we left the lid off and luckily, i mean sadly, Froggy was gone in the morning. Bauer said "Froggy bye bye" for about 2 days and I threw away that tupperware bowl ASAP.

Cookie making mornings with mom! So fun-- he always wants to help me pour. He holds the salt and as soon as he sees even one little granule come out he lets go, raises his hands up high and exclaims, I DID IT!! I love my little helper!

I'm going to regret putting this awful picture up of me-- i said it was a morning baking session- but he is just too darn cute!

Branch BBQ: Super fun, great people and awesome brisket.

Did I mention that i'm H.U.G.E. haha. Notice, the only picture that has me in it is one that was NOT taken with my camera. And a side-view, not OK. also my pose, hand in the back pocket and the other on my belly? really Haley?

haha. I actually had an ultrasound a couple weeks back because I was measuring like 3 weeks ahead of my due date. Baby looks WONDERFUL! It was great to be reassured considering I was having Bauer right about now last time around. So far so good- and I can't tell you how happy we are. The baby still has no name, but we're soooo excited for this next adventure, even though I have moments of freak out like, "how would i do this with two!?" or "what if i needed to nurse right now..." We'll figure it out right? Andrew keeps telling me that much crazier couples have more than one child and do just fine, so we can too. I think that's suppose to me reassuring... haha. With my pregnancy hormones, i'm just grateful he still thinks there's crazier people than me in the world! Our countdown in less than a month now and I'm seeing the dr. every week so before we know it, we'll be a family of four!!

Summer Catch Up

We think the summer sun has forgotten about us Oregon people this year...but we've still managed to catch some fun! (plus, i'm 30 weeks pregnant so to be honest, I'm not complaining about the cool weather!)

Bauer sporting his big boys bed. He loves it and I love not having to bend over the crib anymore. a win-win.

Bauer's favorite night time activity with daddy = wrestling in any form!

Our delightful Forth of July day at Black Butte- playing at the pool, mom and dad reading on the deck while bauer took a nap, picnic lunch and perfect weather.

My mom's side of the family had a fun family reunion in Bear Lake-- Bauer and my brother's youngest, Zaya, loved hanging out and sharing cheetos on our bike ride through the town.

the whole Silliman gang (minus Andrew who stayed home to work...;( )

Mom, Mandy and I on our way out of Bear Lake-- such a gorgeous view.

We stopped at the Logan temple on our way out of town for this VERY flattering picture. This temple is special since this is where Mom and Dad, Mandy and Gregg were sealed after they joined the church.

Than my amazing parents took Bauer back to Portland with them so I could go to Girls Camp with my Young Women. I didn't take any pictures at Girls Camp but it was a blast. Bauer meanwhile was having the time of his life with Grammy and Papa-- I was so grateful that I didn't have to worry about him at all while I was up and had no cell service. Bauer couldn't care less about me when Grammy and Papa are around-- and I love that he has a special connection with them. This picture cracked me up-- those visors are actually poking him in the eyes instead of blocking the sun. He is such a blast.

My pregnancy is going really well-- I'm getting so excited for the spirit a newborn brings into a home, there's nothing like it. I think Bauer will do awesome with it, even though it will be a big change for all of us. Don't ask us his name, because we have absolutely no clue yet. Luckily we still have 10 weeks we come up with some ideas we agree on.

I'm always nervous about my pregnancies but I'm really confident in my doctor and comforted by the Spirit-- I pray that this little boy will continue to be able to grow properly and come to us healthy and happy.

in other news: We'll be moving next Friday and I can't wait!! I'll be so excited to be in our new place, and be excited when all the boxes are packed and unpacked...

a falling out...

Bauer fell, jumped or propelled himself from his crib today. I didn't see it, he was suppose to be taking a nap and his pre-nap talk/play in his crib routine he always does apparently turned a little too aggressive. haha. Maybe it's time to utilize that toddler bed function of his crib...

Happy 2nd Birthday B-Diz!!

Some pictures from his birthday weekend-- We didn't take pictures of it, but we also took him to the movie house to see Cars2. He loved it, especially when the whole theater sang happy birthday to him, one of the many sweet moments that come from living in a small town! We had a fun filled weekend, loved just celebrating and reflecting on a wonderful 2 years with this little rascal!

Finishing off the night with a nice big bowl of brownies and ice cream-- it's ohhh so good!

Riding in style on his new radio flyer trike. Thanks Gma and Gpa Ellis!

daddy helping teach him how to dominate the new t-ball set, thank grammy and papa

One of our proudest parent moments-- he made a basket by himself and now seems to really have found the touch!

terrorizing the ducks at the park by feeding them wood chips-- oh i love this boy.

My sweetest Bauer,

As I sit here writing this, I truly cannot believe my little angel is 2 years old. I've been really emotional today, thinking about your birth and the little miracle that you really are. It seems like just yesterday that I was 19 years old, just starting to date Andrew when my mom came in to my room-- telling me the news from the doctor and holding me while we cried, unsure of what my future would hold for my dream of motherhood. I am so grateful that you were able to overcome your first couple months of challenges. I'm humbled that my Heavenly Father entrusted me to raise you and love you. I'm in awe at your personality that is just bursting from you. You are learning new things everyday, "cantering" all around, exploring the world with your hands, feet and mouth, and being all boy all the time. Thank you for your kisses and cuddles. Thank you for your dancing that never gets old and for entertaining everyone all the time. Thank you that cheesy smile and for getting sooo excited when I actually understand what you're saying. Thank you for saying "peeese" and folding your arms for family prayer. Thank you for being you, for being soo easy to love, and for teaching me even a small part of what Heavenly Father's love is all about. You are the greatest joy of my life.

Happy Birthday Little Man.

love, mama

Rodeo/Early Birthday Weekend

This past weekend some of my family came in for the Sisters Rodeo. My parents started this tradition when I was in middle school and it's a weekend I look forward to all year! This time around it was sorta weird to realize I lived in Sisters now, but it actually made the Rodeo that much more meaningful to me. I didn't take my camera into the Rodeo because it's annoying to be worried your bag is going to fall down between the stands the whole time, but my brother took lots of pictures so maybe I'll put them up when I get some of his.

Since most of my family was here, we decided to do a little early birthday party for Bauer so the cousins could celebrate with him. I didn't do too much for his "Rodeo Roundup" party, just hung some balloons, we had a BBQ and then I made him a Cowboy Boot cake. The weekend was so fun! I'm trying to get better at taking pictures, but I was having too much fun this weekend to stop!

enjoying the BBQ

he has NOT put his thomas trains he got down since he opened them!

The Cowboy Boot Cake-- I'll admit I'd never frosted a cake before, but it was actually super fun

A wild game of ring-around-the-rosey