Paul and Katie Van Heukelom

Halloween Festivities

There are always plenty of opportunities around here to celebrate Halloween!

First off, Ruby got to go to the annual Fraternity/Sorority Halloween Bash at the IMU.

Our kids are much more into painting their pumpkins then doing any actual cleaning out or carving...

finished products ;)

Halloween day at Dance

Ruby was the special helper at preschool on "Orange Day," so we made some rice krispy pumpkins.

Jace got to go to the North Liberty Trunk-or-Treat morning at the Rec Center. He loved that he was able to do this without Ruby. Classic middle child already...

Although he actually wore a T-Rex costume, he told people he was a dragon.

We went to Williamsburg the day before Halloween to do some trick-or-treating in their downtown square. Papa Gary even dressed up as a clown! I seem to have a missing picture as proof that this happened! However, the kids thought trying on his wig was pretty funny!

Annie, sporting the same "first halloween" costume as Ruby did.

Ruby, the Candy Corn Witch

Trick-or-treating around our neighborhood was a blast! The weather was cool but overall, a beautiful and mostly wind-free evening! Annie made it the whole way in awe of all the sights and sounds around her! Jace kept up with Ruby for the most part, and of course, they got entirely too much candy!

Looks like Annie is going to be a candy-lover just like her siblings.

Jace's prayer on Halloween night,

"Dear Jesus, thank you we got to go to a house and get candy. And another house, and another house, and another house. Amen."

Pinkalicious

One of Ruby's favorite book characters is Pinkalicious. So when we found out that Pinkalcious, the Musical was going to be at the Old Creamery Theater in Amana, we had to get tickets!

We went with Ruby's friend Clara, and her mom Jaci, and cousin Sydney and Stef. We had a great time and the girls loved the musical!

They got to decorate and eat PINK cupcakes afterwards ;)

With Mrs. Pinkerton, Pinkalicious' mom

Alison, Pinkalicious' BFF

and with Pinkalicious herself ;)

Annie at Seven Months

7 Months:

Annie rarely falls asleep during her bottle anymore. But after her last bottle, as soon as the diaper rag goes on my shoulder, she will close her eyes (usually find her thumb), and she's out.

She's getting bored with the baby toys and wants things that light up and make music.

Side-by-side of the sisters.

Ruby on the left, Annie on the right

She has enough hair for a little barrette.

Eating isn't going the best. She gags on everything. So we usually take a couple days off and then try again. She seems to prefer more "solid foods" over the baby purees. And sometimes she actually gets something down without gagging or without everything coming back up.

At seven months, she still has only two teeth.

Typical stance. She sits up and reaches as far as she can possibly reach and somehow ends up scooting herself forward.

This picture proves she moves. She was in the middle of the sunroom and five minutes later, she was by the table!

Loves bathtime!

Sister love ;)

Annie at Six Months

6 Months:

At her 6 month doctor appointment, she weighed 17 pounds, 15 ounces. She still takes six, 4-6 ounce bottles a day and usually takes two naps a day, with an occasional third sneaking in there around suppertime.

Annie started sitting up shortly before turning six months, but as some of the pictures show, she still needed a bit of support in case of tipping over. She loves sitting up and doesn't want to be on her tummy or back. I think she needs to see the action!

Fresh out of bathtime! She loves taking baths with her big sister and her big brother.

She's a Hawkeye fan! With a tattoo to prove it!

All dressed and ready for church :)

Loves her big sis

Her favorite spot is in the baby carrier. I'm pretty sure she'd be carried in there for hours without making a peep. She loves taking in all the action while being close to her mama.