Hey, I didn't wait a month to post!

Well just a short update on happenings with us. Rachel and I have been suffering from allergies I guess for like the past week and a half. Luckily mine seems to be worse than hers. However, we are both coughing and runny nose and all that fun stuff. As much as I hate the cold, I am almost wishing for a freeze.

The last weekend in September, the kids and I went to Ponca City for the Fall Festival at St. Mary's (Jim had to work) and to have a small early party for Derek's birthday. All three kids seemed to have fun at the festival. Rachel's favorite thing was the duck pond where she proceeded to get herself soaking wet. She really didn't care about winning prizes, just about getting those ducks in and out of the water. Sarah and Derek spent most of their time at the White Elephant booth and at the prize shop.

This past weekend, I took Derek and Rachel to the zoo while Jim did yard work. Sarah was at her mom's for the weekend. Rachel is starting to become more interested in the animals and things. We did the feather fest where they have birds flying all around and you can actually hand feed them. It was pretty neat, although I was afraid Rachel was going to stomp on some of the birds. She did chase quite a few but they managed to get out of her way. She pointed and chattered at quite a few of the animals throughout the zoo. Inside the rainforest, they had some kind of loud birds in a cage, I think parrots. Anyway, they were going crazy and making loud noises and Rachel thought it was hilarious and laughed and laughed.

Rachel's latest achievements are that we finally have her off the bottle (she has been taking one only at night for the past 2 months or so). However, we have not broke her from the pacifier yet and that will be the next task and probably not a fun one. She really enjoys being outside and walking around and then swinging. She is not saying a lot of words yet but will point and understands quite a bit.

Here are a couple of pictures and a video of Rachel doing her sitting dance moves.


Sarah and Derek at the Fall Festival in their funny hats.
Neither one would smile for me! It is probably not cool or something.


Rachel at the zoo laughing at the parrots making
loud noises. Notice her boo-boo on her head.
Her head came into contact with the wood landscape outside.



Derek with his cake that he decorated himself at Mom's.
I can't believe he is 10 almost!




Rachel confiscated this bear from Sarah's room. It plays
soft, slow Silent Night but Rachel still does a good little jig to it.
The video is from my camera phone so not great but oh well!