Chili Cook Off!

I know that I usually post about Brett and Emma but I am excited to share the fun Brian and I had over the weekend!

We held our FIRST ANNUAL - yes there will be more - CHILI COOK-OFF! 

We invited plenty of friends, heated up some crock pots, and held another memorable fiesta in our humble abode! And there were prizes for the big winners :)

Of course, Brett and Emma were excited to join in on the fun! They had some pretty cool outfits!

It was such a fantastic time. We had 13 different chilies to taste, including one chili dip! Everything was delicious and so much fun!

We had chili spread out on our stove and countertops!

And of course lots of condiments and bread...

Some people gave their chili funny names.

(burns going in and out)

Everyone was happy to eat!

It was so much fun...I cannot wait to do it again next year!

La la la la la....

Tonight Emma and I were singing some Christmas carols....she loves it!! 

Isn't she so cute?!! She's a little superstar!

Picky little eaters!

Look at these big babies!! They have been eating like crazy lately! Emma is getting very picky about what she will eat. She will barely eat any jarred foods anymore. Even yogurts, her favorite, are hit or miss! Brett hasn't been as picky but you can tell he much prefers real food over baby food. 

Emma after eating a piece of delicious bread from Columbia Cafe.

Brett picking up spaghetti!

        It's amazing how quickly these babies change! Aren't they growing up quick??

         

Who is hungry?

I love my little babies so much!! I really, really, do. (Is that a surprise? To anyone??)


This morning I was feeding Brett and Emma and Mr. Brett was getting pretty impatient with me. So I put some food on his tray and he started eating like a mad man! I am also proud to say that he is pretty good at holding his own bottle. It makes me so happy to see my little babies growing up and hitting all these milestones. Sometimes I look back at pictures and I can hardly believe that Brett and Emma were born over 9 months ago. They have been living outside of my belly for about as long as they lived in my belly. I grew them for 39 weeks (and I have the stretch marks to prove it!) But now they are just thriving in our world and I couldn't be more proud to say that I am Brett and Emma's Mom. 


Just look at them...

Our first Halloween!

     We had a very fun first Halloween and did lots of fun things to celebrate! On the 30th we went to our friend Malia'a house for a party with her family. I was excited to get B&E dressed in their costumes, again.

Malia wanted to get a picture of all of the kids from the party in costume, that was fun!

The next day we went down to Hunsader Farms for their annual Fall Festival. This was a lot of fun!! I actually went to the festival last year with my good friend Katie. We had a great time but Brian missed out last year because of work. This time around Brian, Brett, and Emma were able to join in on the fun. (Although, technically, Brett and Emma were there last year, en utero.)

Pumpkin patch photo!

Family photo in the corn fields.

Katie and Emma

Who is having fun?!



And just for fun...look at me and Katie last year.  I sure do look different :)

And to think I was only 24 weeks along here...

     Although we had a busy and fun weekend, Halloween wasn't until Monday. But that didn't stop Things 1&2 from dressing up one last time! 

     We went trick-or-treating around our neighborhood with our little friends Hunter and Leila. We got lots of candy, thanks to Leila (she held the bucket)!!

Hunter the cute little puppy!!

Thing 2 being silly!

Cat in the Hat with his Things.

Emma and her daddy.

Leila the candy collector! 

Our first family Halloween was a big success and lots of fun. I can't wait for next year!

                                     

Taking a stand!

     Brett and Emma have been practicing their favorite move...standing! Although they have been doing this for a few weeks now, it is still exciting to them every time they climb onto something. It takes a lot of strength to get those chubby legs off the floor, so why wouldn't they be excited?

     Being able to stand up also means being able to declare nap time OVER as soon as their little hearts desire. 

    Emma seems to have a little more control than Brett. She is good at standing up and getting back down just as easily. Brett, however, often gets "stuck" on things he has pulled himself up on. He then cries until someone rescues him. (Add 'Hero' to my resume.)

   They have also been taking a few steps while holding on to various pieces of furniture. I'm excited for this huge milestone, but it also makes me very nervous! They have taken a few small tumbles and between the both of them, I am going gray a little earlier than expected.