Carving Pumpkins

My brother Gregg had some time off of work so he decided to come and visit for a couple of days. It was such a pleasant surprise. He hadn't been to our house in almost a year and we hadn't seen him since July- so it was nice to hang out and catch up.

Tuesday night we carved pumpkins. I'd forgotten how goopy they are on the inside. Eew! In the old Mom Trunnell tradition we even baked the pumpkin seeds when we were done. Nummy!

It's the year of the Cat around here. It's all about kitties. See Bennet is holding her dirty Stoli kitty. Well- eating it is more like it. As long as she weans off it by college :)

The finished product.

Nick and Scout snuggled and hung out with us.

Bennet had more fun drawing on her little pumpkin.

A group shot of Gregg, me & Bennet. Gregg's Frankenstein pumpkin turned out really cool!

A New 'Do'

We finally got tired of trying to keep Bennet's hair out of her face. The fact that a piece of hair got stuck in her runny nose and therefore gave us a special 'treat' was the last straw. So- we took her for a hair cut last week. She looks so different.

It didn't start off too well. Even with a cookie AND a sucker.

Wait a second- there's a mirror? Let me see dahling!

A face full of sucker juice and a new do. Ready to hit the town.

Scout @ 6 weeks

How fast they grow. Scout was 6 weeks on Wednesday. She still seems small to me yet is growing so fast as well. We just soak her up. Bathtime with Grandma T. Scout rarely even whimpers during bathtime, quite the change from Bennet. This is bath #1 of the evening. After a nasty blowout diaper she got bath #2 :)

Bennet loves to help.

Smiley girl!

Pumpkin Patch

Saturday was another beautiful day so we went to Wilkes Xtra Sweet Acres for a hayride and some pumpkin pickin' (Do you pick pumpkins? Anyways-)

Mark, Sara, Mallory, Meghan, Morgan and Grandma joined us.

Scout slept soundly on the bumpy ride.

Morgan, Grandma and Mallory

Nick helping Bennet get a better view of the cows. Mooooo cow!

Mark and Nick enjoying the chaos from a distance.

Nick and I always talk about how fearless Bennet is. Maybe too much so. She had no fear of the goats. She just grabbed a patch of dirt and sat there feeding them.

Open up Mr. Goat. Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

You have to keep an eye on her of she'll just wander off. :)

Little Pumpkin

Grandma Sweeney brought this outfit for Scout when she was born. Isn't it cute? Nick thinks she looks silly in it. I think she looks downright adorable. It's a newborn size and I was afraid it would be too small- but it fits great! She's getting cuter by the day!

An education at the Park

The weather wasn't too cold last night so we walked to the park. There will be snow on the ground before we know it. While the park is nice and close to our house, it isn't always kid friendly. Last night I had to move Bennet away from a broken beer bottle and take a cigarette butt from her hands. Ewww!! N-A-S-T-Y! Not only that- but the top on the slide has turned in a naughty graffiti hut. Oh my goodness- there were some doozies. Most of them are too sexually suggestive to post- but to be honest, Nick and I laughed and laughed about them. Kids sure have gotten more, um, CREATIVE since my bathroom writing days.

All Dressed Up

Big changes in the Sweeney clan. The other day we went to interview a daycare for Bennet. Since Scout's arrival we needed to find someone to care for B outside the home for a couple days a week. We wanted to make a good impression and it was a nice excuse to put on a dress. Isn't she cute? Who wouldn't want to add her to their day care? We found a place that we are very excited about. I'm sure Bennet will love it too!

Ready to go with her bracelet and harmonica.

Rib Mountain Colors at their Peak

Yesterday was simply gorgeous. The sun was shining and the temperature was an unseasonable 83 degrees. So we had to take advantage. We went up to Rib Mountain State Park to take in the fall colors. They peaked this weekend so there were alot of people there. But somehow it felt like we were in our own little world. A wonderful family outing.

Bennet really is an outdoors kid. She loves to explore. Not afraid to get a little (ok- alot) of dirt under her nails.

Look at the red.

You gotta love the Baby Bjorn.

Hair tie pulled out, dirty knees, much needed nap for one tuckered kid.

One Month Old

You blink and a month has gone by. Today Scout is 1 month old. She is a really mellow baby (knock on wood). She still seems so small to me although she certainly is growing. She went through a phase of getting her days and nights mixed up but that seems to be behind us.

Bennet is still really enjoying her. When Scout cries Bennet will say "Cout, Cout" to make sure that we know Scout needs us. The other day we found a nook in Scout's crib. Bennet must have tried to give it to her when she was fussy.

Of course it's a juggling act around the house. Trying to nurse Scout when Bennet is climbing in my lap to read a book. But how can you deny that smile right? And B has started to say Mama more regularly so of course I'm a total push over.


(Ashley- I had to exchange the cover you sent b/c it matched the one B sleeps with and she kept having a fit when I'd try to use it with Scout. But thank you again for the gift!)

Bennet kept bringing leaves over and covering her up.