Janet +Trenton=Emma & Ben & Lyla: Busy Fun

*There are videos at the end of this post. If you'd like to view them, just press pause on the playlist.*
Do you ever have those times in your life where you're incredibly busy but you wouldn't trade it for the world? I call that "Busy Fun." For me, it usually begins in the month of October and doesn't end until January 1st. I have always enjoyed Autumn, and while it is true that the scariest part of Halloween is that all the family holidays are coming up, I still manage to enjoy the spooky season. This will be a long post again because I am making up for a lot of time. Hey, get off my back...I've been busy having fun!

We took the babies to the Happy Apple Farm and Emma was so excited to pick her own pumpkin, eat fresh apple pie, and go on a hay-ride. Ben was excited too...in his dreams.

Ben began smiling around 6 weeks.

We don't have to work nearly as hard for Emma's smiles.

Emma and Ben's second cousin Kenzie was so helpful with the babies over the weekend. I think she was having a little bit of fun too.

Estes was gorgeous this year. The weather was crisp and the leaves were changing and falling giving perfect representation of the season. There were so many Elk. If you look closely, you can see them on the golf course. The lower picture is of all of us on the course trying to get a better look at the gigantic animals. We all got a little scare when one seemed to be charging right toward us. Ali just left her two kids and ran off, Trenton's Aunt Chary said, "What should we do?" and Trenton's Mom (being the organized woman that she is) began screaming, "What's the PLAN?", as she began dragging me by the hood of my coat. Tad, who was holding our two month old just calmly said, "Don't move." For some reason we all listened to him like he was the authority figure in that situation. Anyway, it was hilarious and we all survived. Ben seemed really traumatized by the whole experience...Can you tell?

We all had a really good time playing BINGO, riding go-karts, eating yummy treats, shopping, and roasting marshmallows. Shannon and Steve came up on Saturday to spend the day/evening with us. We had some lunch and toured downtown and the Stanley Hotel-always a good time...I wish we had more time.

Bill was able to come into town for Hayden's baptism and it was the first time he met Ben. They made an instant bond...granted...Ben tends to bond with anyone that has a warm chest. The fam came over for a chili dinner that night. I couldn't believe that Emma loved chili as much as she did. She is one of the most picky eaters I have ever known but she chowed my chili like it was candy. If you'd like the recipe just let me know...it's the easiest stuff in the world.

Hayden's Baptism.

Heather and I threw Shannon her bridal shower. It was an extremely cold, icy night, but she still managed to have a good crowd. The treats were delicious and everyone seemed content to cozy up next to the fireplace and share in Shannon's excitement.

We had a snap freeze that weekend. I managed to slip and fall so hard that I thought I had broken my leg right before Shannon's shower. It was very romantic how Trenton ran outside, scooped me up and carried me to the couch. It was short lived once we realized I had survived with only cuts and bruises and I had to press on and decorate for her shower. It was quite a sight watching everyone leave that night-all of us clinging on to anything that stood still as we inched toward our cars. I kept telling Shannon not to worry, "that the people who love her most will be there." And they were. (That's not to say that we didn't understand why those who truly do love her couldn't be there though...If I weren't related, I probably wouldn't have braved the storm either)

Trunk or Treat

Ben and Brittany...

Ben Cruzan, Ben, and Trenton

Ben slept in his own crib in his own room for the first time on October 17, 2009. He was exactly two months old and seemed to really love looking at his little barnyard friends. We are all sleeping better these days...

Ben in his little "Man Suit."

This month us cooking gals enjoyed spooky treats such as mummy hot dogs, popcorn balls, "goul-ade", a snake pastry, and chocolate eyeballs. It's always a good time to get together with them, but this month's theme was especially fun.

Heather and I had our annual Halloween party again for the cousins. Emma was a Turtle (If you're blind and couldn't tell) and Ben was a Frog. I guess we were all feeling tropical this year...

Trenton, Ben, and Ben Townsend...

Lisa and Ben...

This is Emma at the Humane Society. A little over a week ago I had to put my 16 year old Cat, Skittles, down because she had lost function of her bladder and couldn't chew anymore. It was awful. On a happier note, we got a new Cat which Emma affectionately named "Turtle" after she heard me say that she was a torta. She's 1 and just had 6 kittens. I related to her and fell instantly in love. She's darling.