Happy Halloween

This year was Avery's 2nd Halloween but really the first year she participated in all the fun. The weekend before we made sure to enjoy the Roscoe Village Halloween fun.  Elmo was out visiting everyone in the morning - so we made sure to head that way.  She usual calls him mimo and it's adorable, however that day she was pretty shy when it came to sitting and meeting him.

Meeting Elmo 

Hugs with Elmo

Realization setting in and getting a little scared

Better if Mommy is there!!

 That afternoon we headed over the the Roscoe Parade and trick or treating through the neighborhood. Rena, MJ and Andie came down and joined us and we had a great time together.

Avery and Andie playing before heading out to trick or treat

A Kitty Cat, Buzz Lightyear and a Bumble Bee

All dressed up and ready to go

Daddy and Avery

Next year Mommy and Daddy will dress up too!

After the parade we headed to the park to play and swing

The next weekend was actual Halloween.  Our friends Dan and Allison flew in from DC for the weekend.  That Friday we walked around the neighborhood, had a drink and app at John's Place and then had everyone over for drinks before going out to dinner. 

Dan and Avery goofing around

Bekah, Dan, Allison, Josh, Chris, Kara, Tiffany, Ross, Katrina, Geoff, Mommy and Daddy

We also got the best news of the day, Auntie Kara and Uncle Ross are expecting a baby this coming May and we couldn't be more thrilled for them and their new little bundle! They also told us in the cutest way - major points for creativity. 

On Saturday it rained all day so we hung out inside most of the day but just in time for trick or treating the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy Avery's first real trick or treating experience.  Auntie Kara and Uncle Ross came down to join us and so did Finders. Dan and Allison stayed in the house and handed out candy while we walked the neighborhood.  After trick or treating we came back to the house and ordered pizza for everyone and the girls played in the basement. 

Our little polar bear

Our Polar Bear Family

Starting out next door

walking down the street with Daddy

Mommy and Daddy took turns carrying you up the stairs bc it was a lot of up and down

Mommy and Avery Days

Every time I look at the calendar I can't believe another month has gone by.  Between buying the new house, moving, Avery's birthday and work for both Dave and me it's been jam packed!  To that point I have tried to make a real effort to spend as much quality time with Avery as I possibly can.  As Nana reminds me, it's quality not quantity - which I pretty much tell myself every day at this point, when I leave this beautiful face in the morning. 

I decided that in mid October to take a couple days to myself for Avery and I to hang out.  I gave Rachel the days off and we just enjoyed ourselves. Minus getting the stomach flu a few days before I was so excited to be at home with my little angel.  And really packed in all the activities I could.  We got in lots of walks and park time since nice weather is limited at this point in the year. And took advantange of Rachel one of the days to be able to run some serious errands...2.5 hours in Target should have told me something but I got a lot done and was able to get some fun Halloween items for miss Avery. 

The next day, Avery and Mommy went to the Shedd Aquarium which was her first visit there.  It was and still is one of my most favorite places to go as a child and there is so much to see and do there. 

watching the sea otters under water

The penguin area was under maintenance so this was as close to the real thing we could get. 

The beluga whales

Avery loved watching them swim by

the whales from above

Having so much fun

we couldn't leave without a stuffed animal sea otter

The big fish tanks were here favorite part - she would have watched them for hours. 

On Friday we headed to the Lincoln Park Zoo for fall fest with Carolin and Emma.  We made sure to stop by the petting zoo to see all the animals. We had so much fun walking through the corn maze even though there were lots of kids on school field trips that startled us while they ran through. We went to the pumpkin patch in the zoo as well and picked out a mini pumpkin for the house.  

walking through the pumpkins trying to find the perfect one to take home

Getting ready to walk through the corn maze

It was a little crazy bc there were so many kids there that day but we managed to get through