And the winner is...

The politically incorrect Saudi Prince and his state sponsored "security"!  Mike would actually love to wear the thobe and guthra if he could and loved the time he lived in the UAE.  I admit we've used a version of the costume before in New York, but I just didn't have time this year to costume shop for everyone.  Mike and I won best costume of the night at a great party our friends threw.

 The Lovely Ladies

The Kiddos

Happy Hallowinter 2011

For some reason Cy is certain this week was HalloWINTER.  I quickly found out it's because all the leaves are falling (like snow) on our street so he explained that it's winter and Halloween.  Makes perfect sense.

 Collecting bark from the neighborhood

 A fish Cy named "Van" that we discovered and would visit daily in a run off by our house...he was there for about a month, then disappeared

 Cy acting as though he wasn't the one who just blasted Esti with leaves

Visiting Papa Lee and Grandma Pia

Helping

  Cy pulled out a Spanish dictionary and read the "directions" for Papa Lee to help him fix a water pipe.

A Hero (in many ways)

Cy chose a firefighter costume last month for his Halloween outfit.  Since then, he has been vigilant in being a real hero.  He asks most people who visit us if they are hurt and not to worry because he’s a firefighter and can fix them (as he bandages or puts cream on their “wound”).  A couple weeks ago he was a real hero and found a small hard item in Esti’s mouth that he choked on when he was 2 years old. He took it out of her mouth and handed me a slobbery bumblebee toy.  Before his preschool program today he said, “Mom, I must kneel down”.  He then proceeded to give a prayer of thanks on the sidewalk outside his school.  During the program a couple of teachers dressed as witches threw dry ice in a concoction and yelled “Oh no SMOKE!”  Cy looked around and saw no one doing anything so he jumped up and in a very sincere and deep voice said “Don't worry, I’m a firefighter!”.  Then he proceeded to point his finger at the cauldron and made a noise like a hose.  Everyone cheered and laughed, but he truly felt like he was helping these women in distress.  It was so cute.  He is most certainly my little Hero on a number of levels.

 Rescuing the Witches in distress

 Such a good big brother

The kids - Fall 2011

Mike always teases me saying I am like the mother in Grey Gardens who wants my children to live with me forever and never let them be with anyone else...I won't dispute it.  We may not live in East Hampton, but we have our own lush garden here.

Madison: Age 15 - 10th grade 

Cy: Age 3 1/2 - Preschool

Esti: Age 8 months

Indian Summer

 This Fall has been so beautiful and I need another month of it.  Luckily we had several excuses to be outside.

A fun dinner party with friends (Hartsfields, Parkers, Smiths, Brands)

 Cy and Bloom

The Cool Table

Ready for bed

Hiking

hiking with the cousins

Fall Babies 2011

I keep begging Madison to let me take some photos of her, but she has no interest.  This is my excuse for having so few posts about her...till she has a change of heart I suppose I'll have to concentrate on the kids that can't get away from me!

Here are my Fall babies...Cy is almost 4 and Esti is 8 months.

 Cy actually went up into his favorite tree and asked me to take some pictures of him. Funny

 Warrior pose

 Roasting Smores

 During the middle of my 5 mile loop I take with the kids my stroller got a flat.  As I was waiting to be rescued Cy ran to the curb to pray that Jesus would save us.  A little dramatic, but that's my boy!

Ms. Madison

Uncle Carl

Our good friend from NYC came to Utah this week for work and a little visit with us.  I call him our Mary Poppins because he is amazing with the kids, so happy, and "practically perfect in every way".   We just need to find him a smart/educated, beautiful, upbeat wife now that work isn't bombarding him as much and he can fly out to Utah every month or so!  I will take applications for anyone interested...hehe

Adam, Mike and Carl

Esti Jamming

Esti is now almost 8 months old and her 2nd favorite thing to do right now (the 1st is playing with Cy) is to play the keyboard.  I remember Mike had Cy listening to The Clash at this age and I have a video of him jamming to White Riot...not one of my proud parenting moments.  Stay away Dad, I am keeping this girl as sweet and calm as possible with classical music and toddler tunes!    

Praise To Dee Man

At 3 years old (almost 4), Cy has loved learning all these great songs in Primary this year.  He recently got a funny wood binder we found at an estate sale that he likes to call his "Golden Plates".  He has spent hours with these "plates" this week, even sleeping with it.  Here's a video of him "reading" the contents...so cute

playing with Elsa under the stairs