Happy Halloween!

It's Halloween and Ceili dressed up as a monkey. Thanks again Grandma O! Hannah and Lilly stopped to trick or treat. Lilly looked very cute as Raggedy Ann. I think Hannah said it was the same costume that she wore when she was that age. We went to Denny and Judy's so they could see the costume and they gave Ceili a spinning light up ghost light. She loves looking at it. Erin and Ceili then went around to the neighbors to bring them treats while Jon stayed to pass out candy.

Ceili has had to start eating a bit of rice cereal so that she can get enough to eat. We think that she could get enough but she is just to lazy to work for it. She actually does pretty well though she is quite messy.

Pumpkin Party and New Wheels

We had the neighbors over today to carve pumpkins. Ceili wore her pumpkin onesie to celebrate. Grandma and Grandpa Burgers stopped for the day to say hi. Grandpa Burgers gave Ceili some driving lessons in her new Combi Car Walker. She really enjoys licking the steering wheel!

Pre Pumpkin Party Planning

Ceili is helping us prepare for a pumpkin carving party for our neighbors. Jon made Pumpkin Ginger Soup and Erin made Pumpkin Chiffon Cake and Carrot Cake Muffins. We also made some other sweet treats to help celebrate autumn. Tomorrow we will carve pumpkins, play games, and eat our creations. Ceili has a cute pumpkin onesie that she is going to wear to get into the spirit.

The recipe for Pumpkin Ginger Soup Follows:

2 (15-ounce) can(s) pumpkin puree
3 (14 1/2-ounce) can(s) chicken broth
1 (11 1/2-ounce) can(s) pear nectar ( We found this in the juice aisle of the supermarket)
1/3 cup(s) creamy peanut butter
2 clove(s) garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoon(s) grated fresh ginger root
2 tablespoon(s) finely chopped green onion
1 tablespoon(s) fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1/4 teaspoon(s) ground cayenne pepper
Toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
Chopped chives (optional)

Directions
1. In a 6-quart saucepan, combine pumpkin puree, chicken broth, and pear nectar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes.
2. In a blender or the bowl of a food processor fitted with chopping blade, process 1 cup pumpkin mixture with peanut butter until smooth. Return to saucepan with the remaining pumpkin mixture. Add garlic, ginger root, green onion, lime juice, salt, and cayenne pepper; cook 10 minutes over medium heat.
3. Divide soup among soup plates and garnish with pumpkin seeds and chives, if desired.

New Gifts From The Heart

Last week Ceili received a surprise in the mail. A beautiful quilt hand made by our friends the Pattens. Elizabeth made this and writes in her letter to ceili "This blanket has sat on my lap through many an afternoon and evening. It has gone to the park and to Maddie's gymnastics class. It has listened in on lots of conversations and story reading." I'm sure this is just a start to the many adventures of this blanket. We are thankful for family and friends like the Pattens who, though they are far from us physically, keep us in their thoughts and prayers daily. Here is a picture of Erin and Ceili with her new blanket. Also a picture of Grandma O with "our little monkey". Grandma O made this while she was visiting over MEA break. Funny, I thought she was retired?!

New Adventures

Wow, I am always impressed with how fast time flies with a new baby! I realized it has been over a week since our last post. In that time we have done many things. Ceili is trying a new program called a "90 minute sleep cycle". It is working very well and she seems much less tired now. We had a few days where she didn't sleep at all, yuck, she was cranky! Now with the new system she is much more rested and ready to read, giggle, and play with her new toys.

Ceili went for a play date with Sophia Consie this week and had an absolute ball. they played with Soph's Combi Car and took pictures together. Later, Ceili helped Jon clean the garage. Can you find Ceili in the picture below? Erin and Ceili are continuing to read together and Ceili really enjoys her book time. Grandma Otis stopped up this week and brought some more books, some of which were Jon's favorites growing up. This got me to thinking about all the popular books that were read to us as children. Five Chinese Brothers, Tiki-Tiki-Tembo, Little Black Sambo, etc. are not books that we would read to our children today because they are so not politically correct, but they are very engaging stories. Just a thought.

Ceili and Jon also went to the Tattoo shop today. Jon had designed a Celtic cross with a shamrock and decided to add Ceili's name and birth date. It turned out very nice, really very detailed.

Ceili and Jon have been spending alot of their days together. They spend them walking outside and hanging out. Recently we discovered that Ceili really likes her new backpack carrier. Jon and Ceili have taken it everywhere from the mall to the woods! Ceili helped take docks out at the resort last weekend. She also got to meet Lynn, Kent, and Ev. It was a busy weekend but she did very well.

Ceili started laughing out loud and despite having a bit of a cold she continues to practice it everyday. She continues to get stronger and practices her rolling over often.

Erin has been spending alot of reading time with Ceili. Her favorite book is all about babies. She looks at the pictures and studies the words. When Ceili gets tired in the evening she enjoys a splash in her bath. Sometimes it seems it's the only thing that settles her at the end of a long day.