Happy Halloween!!

We went to a pumpkin patch a couple weeks ago with Brian's mom. Ely liked trying to climb the pumpkins.
Eva picked her pumpkin out from way in the middle of the field!

On Saturday, Eva and Paisley were playing in my parent's basement. They came upstairs to show us the "snow." We went down to find that the big yellow bear you see in the background had a whole in it and the girls were having a blast throwing it around!

Brian and Dutch got another pheasant Saturday, the biggest one he has ever shot - 20" tail feather.

Ely made a cute little cow for Halloween!

Eva wanted to be Tinkerbell for Halloween. Good thing last year's costume still fit!

We got to dress up at work for Halloween, so I went as a clogger from the 90s. Oh yeah, I totally wore that outfit in high school...like 13 years ago!! It was fun walking around in my noisy shoes all day!

The Patrol Officer Physical Readiness Test

Yesterday I took the PT test for our department...not because I am planning on becoming a police officer, but because I work at a police department and if we pass the test we get an extra $100 added to our check (and you can take it twice a year). It's not like it is a big deal, but every time I take it I get really nervous. But, it's not that easy, and the women have to meet the same minimum numbers as the men. Yesterday it went pretty well. I improved in some areas over my last test, and didn't do as good on a couple things. All in all, I am grateful that I have been blessed with a strong body and the ability to even try to do these things! (And, who can complain about extra money!?!) So, here are my results:

*Vertical jump: 15 inches
*1 minute of sit-ups: 47 (All the way down on your back and touch your elbows to your knees each time.)
*Maximum push-ups: 32 (Not the girl kind! Even the girls have to do them the hard way.)
*300 meter run: 66 seconds
*1.5 mile run: 13 minutes 26 seconds

Ely Turned One!!!

Our baby turned one on Monday, October 3rd. I cannot believe it has already been a year since he was born! Ely has been a wonderful baby and is so much fun. He has tons of personality. Ely started walking last month and now there is no stopping him! Ely can say mama and dada, and uh-oh. He weaned himself from breastmilk last week and is now drinking whole milk. Ely likes to eat most things. Usually he wants whatever we are eating or drinking. Ely loves to play with his big sister, Eva, and she is pretty good about playing with him, too. She loves him! Ely was born on 10/3/10. He weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces. He was 21 1/2 inches long. At one year, Ely now weighs 22 pounds 5 ounces. He is 29 1/4 inches long.

Eva got weighed and measured, too. She is going to be 4 next month. She weighs 40.25 pounds and is 41 1/2 inches tall. She is in the 90th percentile for height.

For Ely's birthday we had lots of fun. We went to the ISU Homecoming parade and to the football game. Aunt McKenzie made adorable monkey cakes for Ely. They turned out so cute!Ely and his cake...looks like he's not too sure about eating it.How about with some milkTry the spoon, maybe he doesn't like the squishy feeling in his hands. What a day!! Isn't he just adorable?We had lots of family come for the party (36 people there altogether!!). Ely had lots of fun opening his presents and just loves his new toys!Thank you to everyone who came to spend time with us and celebrate Ely's first birthday. It was so much fun!!