Saturday mornings

What is better than reading the paper with Dad under the fuzzy blanket on a Saturday morning?

Halloween weekend

This weekend we enjoyed Fall arriving to Houston and just in time for Halloween. Saturday, we headed to the Sugar Land Town Square to see costumes, talking raccoons and have dinner. Henry wasn't yet up for wearing his costume, so he went in his best Fall outfit.

Come Halloween though, he did wear his doggy costume. First, Mark modeled it for him and then we just forced it on. After he got used to it, he didn't mind it at all. Maybe he figured he wouldn't get as much candy without it.

Also included here is a picture of Henry with our Halloween decoration, Kitty Lou. Kitty Lou is named for the farm cat that lived in and around my mom's house in Conklin MI growing up. My Grandma Stoppenhagen had it made and would get it out for Halloween. When my grandparents pared down their things, I was lucky enough to get Kitty Lou and she sits by our mantle every Halloween. Henry is naturally a stuffed animal lover, so he has taken Kitty Lou on several outings and decided she should join him for lunch yesterday.

Nighty Night

When it is dark or someone or something is going to sleep, Henry says nighty night. Yesterday when I got him up from his nap, he wanted to play with the animals a bit longer and he left them like this, blanket and all.

From left to right, that would be: Bear, Mr. Lion, Herman (the monkey), Boo and a very old Pooh (formerly Mom's). Nighty night stuffed animal friends!

Henry is 2!

Where has the time gone? Henry turned 2 over a week ago and enjoyed a train themed party with family and friends. During the party we read train books and did a train craft. Thankfully this year he didn't cry at the sound of "Happy Birthday" and the cake. But the cake was spit out and only the ice cream was eaten.

He got a lot of great gifts and has enjoyed new books, a tractor and trailer, puzzles, games and more. You can see him here trying out his new doctor kit.

Meeting Jane

Henry has a new cousin named Jane and he was lucky enough to meet her during her Baptism weekend in early October. Of the words he can say and are understood is 'baby', so he definitely new how to identify her. In addition to hanging with Jane, Henry got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Franke (which he thought was the same person, always pointing to Grandpa) during a beautiful Fall weekend.

Frito Family Day at the plant

Man, where has the time gone? Sorry there has not been updates in nearly a month.

Today we enjoyed a morning at the Frito plant where they gave plant tours and had a cookout. I was excited to see how chips were made and easily donned my hairnet, safety glasses and ear plugs, but Henry would have none of that, so he may be the first visitor to have not complied with the tour requirements. Amazingly though, he warmly greeted Chester Cheetah, enjoyed running around with his friend Landon, got a train painted on his hand and met a fireman.

I think the picture of Henry with Mark in the background is interesting due to the same gait and posture - the apple does not fall far from the tree!

August Musings

Other than the Houston heat, August has been a good month and we have been enjoying our routine at home, after traveling a lot in July.
Hanging out in the heat

I can't believe he already knows how to mimic computer usage!

Summer library reading club award for listening to 20 books

Entertained by Daddy in the playroom