Happween!

We had a fun, action pack Halloween weekend.  It started out Friday when I took Evan to the Millbury Public Library for story time and parading to trick-or-treating at Town Hall.  All the kids were so excited and cute in their costumes.  It was a nice day so we decided to take a ride to see Daddy at work.  I knew Bruce didn't have any lunch meetings because of the Halloween potluck.  What I didn't know was that everyone eats in a big conference room together!  Everyone was thrilled to see Evan and it was fitting because Aptima's "mascot" is a sock monkey so Evan fit right in.
Saturday was low key which was good because on Sunday, we took Evan practice trick-or-treating at some of my relatives houses.  We were able to make five stops: Uncle Glenn & Aunt Chris (who we almost missed while they were out), Bumpa, Aunt Donna & Uncle Rick, Gigi and Gramma & Papa.  It was a busy day but nice to be able to visit a little bit with out too many other people around.
Today was Halloween.  We took Evan trick-or-treating to four of our neighbors houses.  He was really quiet at first but by the end he had figured out what to do and say.  And of course, once we were back home Evan said "Trick-treat" and "Thank you" all night long!  After dinner, we video conferenced with Grandpa Bob, Omi, Auntie Kristina and Hannah.  It was fun to be able to see Hannah in her dinosaur costume and to show off our little monkey!

Surprise!

Just a blanket on the couch, right?

 Wrong! Surprise!

Snowtober!

This year we had a freak snow storm in October, before Halloween!  We were inside all day on Saturday watching the storm until later in the afternoon when we decided to take Evan out to play in the snow.  We had record amounts of snow last winter but Evan was really too young to enjoy it much and then there was too much to even really play in it, at least for a 9 month old.  We all got suited up...not a quick event...and headed out to play.  We pulled Evan along in the sled (listen for his laugh around 6 seconds), ate some snow (I know, I know...I'm a terrible mother to laugh...but come on, it was funny!) and built a snowman...everything all in half an hour!  As far as I'm concerned, we've had winter and we can go back to 70's and sunny but I think Evan would beg to differ!

Strike a pose

I don't know about you but I'm pretty sure this kid should be a model.  Might be a good way to help pay for college!

From Collages

Giddy up, Hess Truck?

How come I'm not going anywhere?

Pillows!

With the weather getting cooler, we have been snuggling to keep warm a lot more.  Plus it is so fun to play in the pillows!

O'Malley

Evan has an "Irish" bear that he was given when he was born with a handmade sweater to match.  Bruce and I named the bear O'Malley.  Lately when I ask Evan to get a sweatshirt so we can go outside, he has been opening his drawer and coming back with his "Malley one".  Thank you, Adrienne and Michael!

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pullano!

What a wedding, celebrating a wonderful couple!  We brought Evan to the church with us and had no idea what to expect.  I think it is safe to say that we could not have asked for more from our little guy.  He was an absolute angel through the entire ceremony.  He loved watching the organist and soloist and most people didn't even know he was there.  Unfortunately, we don't have many pictures of the ceremony or the reception...guess we were too busy dancing and having fun! Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pullano! 

Daddy and Evan in church

The Newlyweds! 

GEOINT Toys

Daddy has been doing a lot of traveling lately.  He was gone for almost two weeks straight with only a 36 hour visit back home.  First he was in Seattle for a project kickoff and then in San Antonio for a conference.  Daddy brought lots of fun toys home from the conference.

A cowboy hat

A fun bouncy thing

Flashy light up magnets

A football

But the BEST thing to come home was Daddy!

Playing Ah-side

After a few days of cool and rainy weather, Evan was just itching to play ah-side.  He found lots of good places to sit.

Evan meets Nala

While Daddy was traveling, Evan and I went to Nicole's one night for dinner and to meet her new puppy, Nala.  It was a rainy day so Nala was even more excited than usual but she was really good.  Nicole thought she would be a little too rough with Evan so Nala spent most of the night in her crate and never even whined...unless we all left the room at once.  Evan is looking forward to playing with Nala again soon!

Evan gives Nala her bone

 Evan discovers Nicole's guitar and drums for Rock Band...I think we have a budding musician on our hands

Twinkle, twinkle

Over the last week or so while Daddy was traveling, Evan and I spent some time at Papa and Gramma's.  We had a few sleepovers and lots of fun.  During that time, Evan developed a new favorite past-time.  It all started when Papa was watching some of Evan's Youtube videos with Evan on his lap.  After watching Happy and you know it 1, another Happy and you know it video was suggested.  Papa and Evan watched this which led to watching Old MacDonald which led to watching Twinkle, Twinkle...I think you get the idea.  Needless to say, Evan loves climbing up into Papa's lap to watch videos and sing songs.  Today we found out that Sean loves it too!  Papa loves it too!

Evan demands Old MacDonald

 Time for a sing along

All the boys watch intently

Singing to Daddy

Seeing as I am so far behind in blogging and I haven't yet posted anything from Bruce's actual birthday, I figured it was ok to post this absolutely adorable video of Evan singing "Happy Birthday, Daddy".  It is, after all, the 11th...just not the right month!  Such a sweet little voice!

Stomp

If Evan's career as an astronaut doesn't work out, 

He may be able to get a job as a singing custodian

Or fill-in when one of the members of STOMP gets sick.

I'm sure we will be proud of him no matter what!

Ardvark!

Today we had a nice visit with Papa & Gramma for the Pats game.  I know you are probably thinking that we see them all the time and that we often get together for Pats and Sox games but today was different because it was just the five of us.  We hosted it at our house and Evan was the star of the show all day long!  I don't think there was any time at all that he wasn't talking or being silly.  At the end of the day, Papa wanted to test his vocabulary a little bit so he tried to think of a word that was somewhat difficult to say and that Evan had never heard before.  Papa said, "Evan, can you say Ardvark?" and Evan turned to look at Papa and said, "Ardvark!" as if he had said it a million times before!  We watched a good game and had so much fun.  Evan even learned what to do when the Pats score a touchdown.

Happy new house, Emily & Ray!

Emily and Ray bought a house in western Mass and tonight we helped them break it in.  In keeping with tradition, some of the guys got together over the last few weeks to build Ray a custom beer pong table.  Each table has a different design and is personalized.  Evan had a great time playing Cornhole and playing with the kitties.  He even tried to climb in the cat door...such a silly boy...must have been all those M&M's that Papa Cole introduced him to!