This Week...

We made carmel apples and devoured them.

My Uncle Ken stopped in to say hello and meet Aspen for the first time even though he was in Columbus for only 2 hours after meetings in three other states that day.

Thanks for missing part of your meeting to see us Uncle Ken.

My Aunt Trisha also stopped in for a visit with Katy (she has been here with Katy and Ross this week to help out with their new baby).

Avery has decided that she likes to be free of her diaper during nap time and night time, so we have introduced "the special belt." She actually cooperates very well as we circle the duct tape around her diaper twice a day.

Daddy, Brinley and Avery participated in giving Aspen her first bath.

Well, Avery mostly bounced around the perimeter almost falling on top of Aspen.

Brinley did a fantastic job of washing her little sister with soap and a ducky wash cloth.

Avery helped to brush Aspen's hair into this little mow hawk.

The girls continue to be smitten with their new sister.

They both love holding, rocking and singing to her.

Although back at work now, Cody continues to be super Daddy & Hubby,

truly he is my rock and has been ever so patient and loving.

Our Little Bundle

Dear Aspen Jamie Young,

We have been awaiting your arrival for a long, very long time and are so thrilled to have you in our family! Here is a little bit about your first three days of life.

On Sunday morning your older sisters were excited to go to church with our friends Angie and Cory so that Mommy and Daddy could go to the hospital and "push you out" as your sister Avery would say.

At 11am Mommy was given a medicine called pitocin which helped you want to come out of her tummy. At 2:45pm a doctor broke my water and you were born at 3:37pm after just a few pushes. We are so thankful for your fast and pleasant entry into the world,

thank you darling.

You weigh 7 lbs. 3 ounces and are 19.5 inches tall, what a perfect size sweetie.

How we love and adore our third beautiful, healthy daughter!

Right away the doctor said you looked so healthy and strong.

On the stroll up to our room we stopped by Ross and Katie's room (Ross is Mommy's cousin) to see their new baby girl who was born just a few hours before you! It was so fun to have them in the hospital at the same time as us, staying just three doors down the hall.

That night your sisters bounced through the door with

huge smiles and excited expressions.

For months they had been kissing you through Mommy's tummy at night after family prayer. That night they smothered you with kisses all over your face and head.

Brinley wanted to hold you most of the visit while Avery was content (after kisses and a few quick squeezes) to evaluate the bouncing capabilities

of various objects in the hospital room.

On our way home from the hospital we stopped to see an orthopedic surgeon about treatment for your club foot. We can talk about that another time...

For now most wonderful beautiful miracle, just know that we all

love you more than life itself.

Pumpkin Picking Tradition

Every year since Brinley was a baby we have found some great

pumpkin patch

to pick our Halloween pumpkins.

Before heading out to the fields Brinely and Avery spent about an hour playing on a number of inflatable Halloween toys located at the front of the farm. They also enjoyed "bathing" themselves in corn kernel sandboxes and running through the hay maze.

After enjoying home-made doughnuts we were off to pick our pumpkins.

Brinley proudly picked not only her pumpkin, but also spotted out great ones

for the rest of us!

Oh sweet success...

and that is how we picked our pumpkins.

Leah's Kitchen Creations

1243523464356 months pregnant + resident husband working all the time +

late night munchies = Baking time!

I find I love to bake when my kids are tucked in bed and my husband seems to be

living at the hospital.

Above = Apple Pumpkin Strussel muffins with 2 cups of freshly

diced apples and pumpkin puree!

Next up = Fresh Peach Tart topped with 8 juicy fresh peaches, loaded with a creamy filling, atop a graham cracker crust finished with apricot glaze.

Lunch time for the girls =

Shish-ka-bob day for Brinley. Strawberries, kiwi, corn and cheese for Avery.

Dinner time = Garlic Cream Cheese Chicken Dumplings baked on the pizza stone. Served with fresh steamed broccoli, rice and cream of chicken soup for dipping.

Today's Harvest, Hair Do and Happy Face

Harvest = The gathering of a ripened crop.

PS - Avery likes to pick the green ones. I included one of her prize tomatoes in this picture.

Hair Do = Our Daily pre-school ritual.

A Happy Face = Priceless

Last class and last club before baby

On Saturday I taught my last Urban Iron ( Body Pump ) class before baby #3 arrives.

This morning I subbed an Aqua class and now 13 days away from delivery I am pretty sure my official maternity leave has begun.

I wrapped these fun size candy bars in Designer Paper and stamped a Ghost tag with the saying "The Ghostess with the Mostest" and gave them to my class participants on Saturday.

I will sure miss all of my regulars while I'm away!

On To my last stamp club before baby, scheduled for tomorrow night!

I made the above teacher gifts for Brinley's school teacher, office secretaries and principal. I decided they were cute enough to also have my ladies create one as a club project.

Here is the card we are going to make using the House of Haunts stamp set, Arachnophobia stampin' wheel, 3 stampin' write markers and black embossing powder.

The card has a type of accordion fold which opens up, as shown below, to add a message.