More Surprises in the Mailbox!

Today, the kids and I stopped by to check the mail, and, much to our delight, there was a package mixed in with our mail!  It was from Aunt MeMe and Uncle Dick, who live in Pittsburgh!  We got a sweet Thanksgiving card and the kids got some super cute winter hats with the Steelers insignia on them!  Thanks Aunt MeMe and Uncle Dick!!!  They will wear them with pride!

Here are Neil and Ella modeling their new hats!

Lovin' the sweet hugs they give each other!

Neil insisted on wearing his backpack for the picture.  He said it was his jet pack so he could blast off!  Then he really cracked me up because he had to keep checking the pictures as I took them to make sure he looked "cool" in them.  What a mess!  I gotta give it to him, though, he does look pretty "cool" here!  My little cutie pie! ;)

Sweet little sis still practicing her "CHEEEEESE"!

Even though Bobby grew up in Texas, his family roots are in Pittsburgh and much of his extended family, on both sides, still lives there.  That being said, although he considers himself a Houston Texans fan, he always keeps one eye on those Pittsburgh Steelers! (And I have, on occasion, seen him jump up out of his seat and dance around the living room like a wild man when they score, but, shhh, don't tell him I told you!) ;) 

Ella is 15 Months Old

I can't believe our sweet little baby girl is already 15 months old!  She is walking and talking and into everything.  She feeds herself finger foods and is learning to use a spoon.  Pat-a-cake and Peek-a-boo are her favorite games.  She loves to climb and thinks she can do anything her big brother does.  She is also very sweet and loves to give hugs, kisses and cuddles.  She especially loves her 'nunny' that her cousin Shea gave her when she was born.  She sleeps with it every night.  I love the way she wraps herself all up in her blankets when she goes to sleep.  It's too cute! 

Here she is riding her Bounce and Spin Zebra.  Neil played with it occasionally, but really never took a big interest in it when he was little.  Ella, however, rides it all the time and can't seem to get enough of it.  I think it's her favorite toy right now.  I guess we got our money's worth after all! :)

Yes, the shirt says 'Daddy Adores Me'...need I say more?

Something Old Is Something New

I was going through all our digital photos and remenicing the other day when I came across a really special one that I had forgotten we had.  It is of Bobby and his sister, Nicole, playing on the floor with their Grandpap Hepp.  I couldn't even begin to describe it in words, so here it is so you can see for yourself.  They are obviously having a ball!  Such a fun memory!

Of course, when I showed it to Bobby, he decided he wanted to try it with Neil.  We tried to get Ella to participate, too, and sit where Bobby is in the picture above, but she wasn't really interested just yet.  We'll give her a few more years and she and Neil will be fighting over who gets to stand on Daddy's hands! ;)  Here are the pics I took of Bobby and Neil repeating the same "act".  A fun memory passed down from generation to generation...

Here they are on the very first try...still a little shaky!

By the next day, Neil was like an old pro, even doing it one-handed!

Special Delivery!

The kids got an unexpected package yesterday from PapPap and Nana!  Thanks PapPap and Nana!  Here they are showing off their gifts.  Neil got a Thunderbirds t-shirt from the air show and a Zhu-Zhu Pet and Ella got a prayer doll and a pink and purple pony onesie, which she is not wearing because it has long sleeves and, amazingly, it is too hot here today for long sleeves (high 70's)!  She will definitely enjoy it in the next few days, though, when high temps are going to be in the 40's...brrrrr!  It has been CRAZY weather here this year and everyone is talking about it.  Supposedly, we are looking at a really snowy winter, too, but only time will tell.  If so, I will be sure to post about it.  Anyway, here are the pics of my two little models! 

Neil: CHEEEEESE!

Ella: How do you do it again?

Together: CHEEEESE!!!!!  (Ella's cheese isn't very smiley, but she is sure trying hard!)

BIG hugs for the Zhu-Zhu and "baby"

Balchus Halloween 2010: Presenting Spiderman and Sleeping Beauty

We had such a wonderful time trick-or-treating last night!  We first went by a nursing home nearby that has been advertising that they welcome trick-or-treaters.  It was nice to visit with the people there and watch them interact with the kids.  Next, we headed to a local neighborhood for some awesome trick-or-treating.  There were TONS of people lining the side walks and many of the homes were decorated so nice for Halloween!  Here are the pictures of our first Halloween adventure in Missouri!

First, some pics of the kids getting ready...

Hmmm...I don't know, but I think Neil likes Spiderman!

Putting on the crown...

She didn't like this part very much.  I see some major hair battles in my future. ;)

Here are the pics of the finished product...

Ella was not very into the pictures for some reason.  She actually kept running away from the camera!  This was a new thing for us, since Neil was always (and still is) such a little ham! 

Sweet brother loves her SO much!

All this picture taking is making me crazy!  See?  Here's my crazy face!

What are we doing, Mom?!

Yey!  Trick-or-treating!  Uhmmm...what's trick-or-treating?!

Okay, since everyone else is excited, I guess I will be, too!

Once we got out and about, Ella actually got very excited and decided she liked this whole trick-or-treating thing after all!  Of course, Neil was into it from the start and never wanted to stop!

Neil ringing the doorbell of the first house we visited.

Ella decided she wanted to walk all on her own for a while.  She was very proud of some animal crackers she got and wanted to carry them herself!

Toward the end, Neil sat down in one of the driveways and told us he thought it was time for a candy break.  Too Cute!!!

Here was sister running from the camera again!  Little stinker!

Got her in this one!

Going to a door with her little basket!

Here they are all together.

By the end, Ella was really into it and didn't want to be carried anymore.  She wanted to walk all on her own and go up to every door just like her big brother!  It was classic!

I had been really nervous about Halloween this year, since we don't have a neighborhood of our own to trick-or-treat in, but everything turned out wonderful and the kids were happy, which is the most important thing of all.  It turns out that lots of people drive to neighborhoods and park to go trick-or-treating.  We had just never done that before, so we didn't know.  You live and you learn!  Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!!!!!

Halloween Carnival!

One of the local churches puts on a "Karnival Kraze" each year around Halloween. One of their members is a customer of ours and sent Bobby an invitation, so we decided to check it out.  Neil had a blast going through all the bounce houses with slides, riding the rides and, most of all, getting candy, candy and more candy!  Ella had fun just taking in all the sights in the coziness of her Daddy's arms.  Needless to say, I pushed an empty stroller the whole time! ;) 

Neil flying an airplane.

Coming around the bend...

Daddy riding the train with Neil and Ella.

About to leave the station!

  It was really a great time and Neil loved getting to wear his costume!  It was a week night, so we didn't stay too long, but it was just enough to make us definitely want to return next year! 

Costume update...

Okay, so just as promised, buycostumes.com delivered Neil's CORRECT Spiderman costume in plenty of time for Halloween.  Here he is modeling it for the camera.

Flexing his muscles!

Revealing his true identity!

Showing off his favorite part of the costume...the "webs" underneath the arms!  He said they make him "fly"!  I want some, too! ;)

Whenever a company really does a great job, I love to put in a good word for them, so here goes!  I am SO impressed with buycostumes.com and highly recommend them to anyone who is having a hard time finding just the right costume in the stores.  They have costumes for all ages and sizes.  I even looked up a promo code and got free shipping!  Not to mention, their customer service is amazing, too!  Okay, so there you have it!