Who Knew Closets Could Be So Entertaining!?

Evelyn loves spending time exploring the closets in our house.  Recently, she figured out how to open the pantry doors (the kind you pull and slide) and that "opened" even more spaces up to her.  She can now get into the linen and coat closets, which basically means things are no longer safe there.  Let the fun begin!

Mar. 2011, 9 months old. "Helping" with the laundry. 

Nov. 2011: Almost 17 months old and trying on Mom's rain shoes.

Yesterday:  Who me?

Hanging out with "Dyson" in the coat closet.

Cherished Moments in Chicago!

Last Thursday, our family traveled to Chicago for our nephew's (Joe's Godson's) first birthday party.  We hadn't seen Joe's sister and her family since February and we had so much catching up to do!  Evelyn didn't really interact much with her three cousins in February (she was too little), so this vacation was a chance to spend some quality time playing with them.  Evelyn spent every waking hour following her two older cousins (Sean and Kylie- she affectionately referred to them as Shylie) around.  She wasn't really timid around them and was all too eager to "get involved" in any way she could.  Evelyn also played nicely with her younger cousin, Braden (there's only about 6 months between them).  She showered him with kisses and played duets with him on the piano.  Joe's parents and brother also came for the birthday festivities.  Evelyn was so happy to see her Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Jay again!

In addition to the wonderful family time, we were able to visit with our dear friend Sarah and her husband Mike (Sarah has known Joe and his family for over twenty years and I was roommates with her during my teaching days in Chicago; she introduced me to Joe six years ago... but that's a very long story for another time!).  The birthday party was a success and we were so happy to be a part of Braden's special day.  We are already counting down the days until we see the family again for Christmas!

Helping Grandpa with the video taping as Grandma looks on

All the cousins together opening Braden's birthday gifts

Happy 1st Birthday, Mr. One-derful! 

Birthday cake I made for Braden... yes, the tractor is edible

Evelyn really wanted Braden's chocolate cake

Me and Sarah

Joe, Evelyn and Uncle Jay 

We tried so hard to get a great picture of all 4 cousins together!

Showering Braden with love and kisses

Sean and Evelyn

Kate (Joe's sister and E's Godmother) and Evelyn

The cousins and Evelyn attacking Joe!

Happy Halloween!

We had a ROAR of a time this Halloween!  Evelyn was old enough to get out and enjoy some real trick-or-treating (last year she was in bed before trick-or treating had even begun)!

Several years back, one of Joe's co-workers made costumes for many of the people in Joe's office.  She made a very impressive lion costume for Joe and he was able to wear it again this Halloween.  I found a little lion costume for Evelyn and I was a safari sight-seer (I wanted to be a lion tamer but didn't have the tux and top hat)!  We added a little sparkly goodness to Evelyn's costume- gold glitter shoes, but they turned out to be more of a walking hazard than a fashion statement (they were a size too big).  The upside of putting Evelyn in shoes that were a little large was that she couldn't run away as we were trick-or-treating.  Instead, Joe dutifully carried her everywhere.

We trick-or-treated with our good friends (Joe, Anna and Gus) and had dinner with Anna's family following the Halloween festivities.  It was a really fun evening.  Evelyn loved getting treats and helped herself to a Tootsie Roll Pop before we finished trick-or-treating!

A Canadian, "Elf," a dinosaur, Daddy Lion and Baby Lion and a Lady on Safari

A very pensive little lion

Two of the biggest trick-or-treaters ever...

In hot pursuit of candy

It's more fun to ride on Daddy's shoulders

On the road again

The purple dinosaur must have said something funny

A lion and dinosaur sharing secrets

Best Buddies

Doing the lion dance