on the hunt...

for candy.

and kick balls.

and leaves under Daddy's Honda.  {yeah - I don't know either...}

R-O-A-R!!

Asher's a tiger for Halloween this year!

I don't think any costume {ever} will top last year's lobster - but we had to try.  :-)

As a side note, I have to say that this is seriously the best costume design I've seen.  It's from Carters and is fleece pants and a zip-up hoodie style top.  It is really easy to put on and feels like regular clothes, so Asher doesn't fight it.  Plus there's the huge bonus of him being able to wear these tiger pants all winter.

And he will.  Yay!

What better way for a tiger {and his candy pail} to get around than in his favorite wagon.

We don't have trick-or-treating until tonight, but there's no telling if Ash'll be up for it, so we went on a walk to show off his cute self in the afternoon.  :-)

While taking these shots, I learned that trying to photograph a tiger isn't easy.  Much like little boys, tigers enjoy running around and facing the opposite direction of any cameras that might be in the area.  This being the case, I had to take some tips from hunters of old - I baited the tiger and waited for the ambush.

My bait?  A Halloween pail with cookies in the bottom.

Come quick!  We caught one! 

Mom, there are cookies in here!

Dad, did you see these cookies?!

Yeesh - maybe we should have dressed him up as Cookie Monster.  oink oink.

Hope you all have fun with your little tigers {and monsters and princesses and farm animals} today! 

shake it off

We're still battling the sickies over here, but hopefully the worst is behind us.  Asher is too stuck on me to get any photos of his sad, sick little face {plus, who really wants to see a glassy eyed, mucus encrusted toddler - that sight is for mommy only!} so instead I wanted to share a memory from while we were visiting my parents a few weeks back.

For a little boy named Asher, not much else is required for fun other than a long driveway and a basketball hoop.

I'm way too weak to hold him over my head long enough for him to dunk, but we still enjoy kicking the ball back and forth together.

Kicking a ball back and forth sounds peaceful enough, but somehow sports always carry some inherent risk...and we manage to find it.

man down!

It's ok!  He's ok!

Driveway got ya down?  No problem - hugs coming up.

{didn't even drop his golf ball.  wow.}

down and out

Asher has been sicker this week than ever before in his 22 months.  He started coughing on Sunday, but seemed fine otherwise.  On Monday we went to the zoo and had a great time - but when he got up from his nap that afternoon he had his first-ever fever. 

The yucky fever has hit off and on over the past few days and yesterday we went to the pediatrician and got diagnosed with A's second ear infection.  Boo.  He's been refusing to eat, super clingy, not napping well, runny nosed, and coughing like a smoker.

Poor baby!

We've spent his every waking moment touching - Ash can't seem to bear to be away from me right now.  I get it - I like to be with my Mom when I'm sick too.  I love him and love all of this snuggle time! 

{although after he hits the hay at night I am d-o-n-e with being touched for the day - sorry Drew. ha!}

I typed this at lightening fast speed while a sick little boy takes his short nap.  All of this to say, we'll be back to regular posting {and blog reading} soon.  Send happy thoughts our way!

here kitty, kitty

A few weeks ago {I'm a little behind...} we went to visit our friends in Ohio.  It had been too long since we'd seen them and Asher had never met his future bride, Miss Sophia.  It was high time.

Oh my, how could he not love this sweet face!  I know I do!

Being a toddler boy, Asher wasn't at all interested in making a love connection. 

At least not with a little girl. 

He was, however, SUPER interested in loving on their cat!  {you might remember how much loved the pumpkin patch kitty - same deal here - the boy loves animals!}

Thor endured Asher's affection with admirable patience.  Our theory is that he's suffering from new-baby-in-the-house lack of attention and was will to take some hugs from anyone.  Even a pushy little boy.  ha!

Unfortunately for a certain kitty loving boy, his Daddy is really {really} allergic to cats.  To try and keep the dander on Drew to a minimum Thor got banished behind the baby gate for most of our visit.  Asher was really upset by this particular act of blasphemy and insisted on hugging Thor regardless.

Somehow I have no photos of Carl or Karen with us. 

???  

I really think I'm losing my mind some days.  How could we drive all the way out there and not even get one picture together?  Nonetheless, we love you guys and are so glad we got to visit!

{Thor can be expecting a big ole Valentine from Asher this year - see if he'll share with Sophia. :-)}

dapper asher

On Saturday Drew, Asher, and I attended the wedding of Drew's cousin Mike and his lovely, Nicole.  This was Asher's 3rd wedding, but first since he could walk.  For me, walking = needs a suit. 

Plus, I just really love dressing him up like a little man. 

ohmystars - the cuteness!

Since we knew that sitting through a wedding ceremony was just far enough past too far in toddler abilities Drew went to the ceremony solo.  Asher and I caught up with him at the reception.  By then we were ready to paaar-tay!

Asher did a pretty good job socializing and even said "hi" to a few people.  {This is something we've been working on a lot.  Normally he's super shy and clings to me while saying "no, no" in a scared voice whenever anyone new approaches him.}

After a disastrous attempt at leaving him in the child care area A enjoyed dinner with us and was ready to hit the dance floor.  This boy l-o-v-e-s to dance!  He was cutting a rug all night.

Running after an almost-2 year old meant that I didn't get any photos at the reception.  Darn it.  I really need to investigate having someone follow us around life with a camera {wouldn't that be so nice?!  maybe for Christmas  :-)}

We stayed out a few hours past Asher's normal bedtime, but he did fantastic.  No meltdowns at all!  In fact, he didn't even fall asleep on the ride home, despite being in his PJs.  Still too excited from the celebration, I guess!

Love him - and that little tongue. ha!

sneak peak

Someone was extremely dapper for a wedding this evening and I just couldn't wait to share.

More to come!

pumpkin patch asher

 A few weeks ago Asher and I took a trip to the local pumpkin patch with A's friend, Miss O!

While the kiddos liked seeing the huge piles of pumpkins they were even more enthralled by the cat that was running around.

They had some major fun chasing the poor feline and giving it hugs {this cat was clearly used to kids and endured it like a champ}

I just love fall.  Toddlers and pumpkins go together like pb and j. 

{it'd be nice if Asher would look and me and smile like this, but until he does I'll just have to enjoy lady O's sweet grin!}