16 Months

Our happy girl has started pointing to some body parts: nose, head, toes, and belly.  She not only points to her belly, she will try to show it to you, even if she's wearing a one-piece outfit.  It's comical to watch her lift up the pants leg down by her foot to try to bare her cute little belly button---it doesn't quite work like that sweetheart!  Campbell had her 15 month checkup and weighed in at 22 pounds, 8 ounces.  All of the kiddos have been going through growth spurts.  I measured them in Fisher's closet (which is where we make all the growth markings) and then remeasured them 3 weeks later.  Campbell grew an inch and the boys each grew 3/4 inch in THREE WEEKS! Two more first molars have erupted, which brings the total up to 12 teeth. Campbell also moved up to the next room in daycare and is doing really well with her new teachers, though the teachers in the old infant room steal her back to visit from time to time because they miss her.  It sure makes a mama feel good (and makes it a little easier to leave them) to know that the kids' caregivers love my kids!

In the above and below Monthly picture choices, Campbell is showing off her "Fall" outfit.  We've had an absolutely beautiful fall here this year--the best one since we moved to CT, by far. It's been gorgeous and sunny and mild, just perfect for tons of fall activities, like picking pumpkins, going on hay rides, going to the fair, etc.

We actually left Campbell in daycare on the Friday we took the boys to the Big E (Eastern Exposition).  They loved riding all the kiddy rides again this year.  Fisher was still too short to go on some of the rides--boo-- but still had a blast.

Hayes lost another tooth, and bravely let the in-house dentist pull it out for him again.

We took the kids to Hayes' elementary school playground where Campbell was quite brave.  She would climb up the steps and go down the slide all by herself, loving every minute of it!

Fisher has become more confident and strong as well.

Hayes is pointing to his name on his Kindergarten classroom window.  He is so proud of going to Elementary school and is doing really well so far.  He is on the brink of being able to read.  What an amazing thing to watch as he makes the connections between sounds and letters and putting them all together.  He'll read a few words in each sentence and then when prompted and succeeding in sounding a word out, he'll look up with such wonder at what he just did.  It's just an awesome thing to watch! Reading aside, Hayes' favorite part of school continues to be riding the bus.

Me and my "towhead," which we hear at least once every time we're out in public.  Campbell's hair is so blond, but eventually she'll be brunette like her Mama and Dada.

Here is Hayes doing some of his homework.  He loves to sit down and do whatever new project or paper is asked of him.  I wish I could bottle up his enthusiasm and dole it out when he's older and hating every last bit of homework!

Fisher is our sloooooooowwwwwwwwww eater.  We're usually all done well before he's finished.  It's not as if he's eating a lot, though.  He still barely eats---it must be just enough to keep him growing. He lives on cheese, yogurt, fruit, peanut butter and jelly, and carbs.  The only meat he'll eat is in the super healthy form of a chicken nugget---ugh.  Remember this when he's a teenager and eating everything in sight, right?

Trying on the kid-carrier backpack:

For one of his homework assignments, Hayes had to write one of his relatives' names.  He chose Papa Glenn:

Hayes has been playing with our 9 year old neighbor a lot lately.  Zach taught Hayes how to climb trees. (Please, no broken bones!)

Fisher loves to speed around on the tricycle:

I had asked Campbell where her head is right before I snapped the picture:

We thought Hayes would stop wanting to hold her, love her, stroke her, and squeeze her tight (said in the abominable snowman voice) a few months after she was born.  But no, he continues to LOVE his sister-- the novelty has not worn off! Here he is sharing some of his last ice cream of the season:

Feeding the catfish in the pond at the ice cream place:

Adoring each other:

Beautiful fall foliage:

Working together, scrounging up food for the animals:

First ever taste of donuts---she is a fan!

We visited a local farm where they have a petting zoo, pumpkins, and mazes on a beautiful fall Sunday. My goodness, she belongs on an ad campaign (says her non-biased mother):

Just how difficult is it to get three children to look at the camera at the same time? Very.

Hay ride:

The boys got their faces painted as tigers:

Hay maze:

This is one exhausted family! We took a break and then went on to our next adventure....

...one last apple picking of the season.  We've been making dried apple slices with the dehydrator Kyle got for his birthday one year. They are so sweet and delicious, not to mention healthy.  Did you know tigers liked apples?

Campbell insisted on digging in:

While Kyle and I miss being close to family, we have to remind ourselves that we are lucky to live in a place with so many fun things to do with a young family.