She's ours!!

We showed up at the shelter about 2 minutes late today and I thought for sure we had missed our opportunity to get the dog. Happily, no one else who was on the list even showed up! So after they approved all of our paperwork and we played with her for about an hour and a half, we payed the fees and now she is Miss Clara Faulconer. We don't get to bring her home until Christmas Eve, because she needs to be spayed first, but she'll be home for Christmas! Yay!


Look at those sad eyes! How could anyone NOT want her?!




MaryEllen (who is normally pretty scared of dogs) is totally comfortable with Clara. That might be because Clara is obviously scared to death of everything right now. The people at the shelter don't know her previous circumstance, but we're guessing she needs a little extra love.

Wer'e Adopting?!

Well, nothing is for sure yet. We went to the SPCA today just to look around. Brian has taken MaryEllen before and we thought that since Henry is such an animal lover he would have fun visiting the dogs. I never thought it would happen, because I'm not really an animal person, but we saw a little red and white beagle and I totally fell in love! (The dog below is not ours, but looks very similar.)

So we are 2nd on the waiting list. (A dog must be in the custody of the SPCA for a week before being adopted out.) We will go back Friday morning at 10 am and if the person who is first on the list isn't there she is all ours! I'm trying not to get my hopes up, for my sake and the kids, but she is such a sweet little pup! She is 3 yrs old, not too big, but not too small, and she didn't bark or jump once the whole time we were there! She was a stray, so her name is unknown, and MaryEllen has informed us that if we get her, her name will be Clara. I think it fits, so I'm not going to argue. Wish us luck!!!

The great Christmas tree hunt!

The last few years we have been buying our tree at Home Depot, and the last few years each of our tree's have been brown before Christmas! So this year we decided to chop down our own for maximum freshness. There is always a bit of contention when choosing a tree; I don't mind a little imperfection, in fact I prefer it. Brian is the opposite. He wants each limb to spray perfectly off of the most perfectly straight trunk, that is just the perfect height. Well this year we compromised. Our tree is practically perfect in every way, except that it is a bit on the short side.

Anyway, the kids had a blast running through the tree's while Brian and I debated. All in all it was a good experience. (And cheaper than Home Depot, too!)


Goofballs.


MaryEllen wanted this one. Can you tell that she loves Charlie Brown?


My Boys.


This is my favorite picture!


The men hard at work.


I finally got the paci away! Such a cute face behind there!


Good thing we bought that Mini- van!


So I married a saws- all Murderer? (Scary.)


The Finished product. I love it!!!

Henry eating and sitting in funny things.

Every time I pull out this bucket of blocks he goes straight over and sits in it. Right on top of the blocks. Looks Comfy!


His favorite spot to kick back and check out the hotties in Parenting magazine.


We got him this huge sucker at the zoo. (Brian's idea not mine.)


You can tell the tiger bib is our favorite, it has great coverage.


His first (and possibly last) experience eating soup with no assistance. He probably consumed about 1/2 teaspoon worth, and fingerpainted with the rest.


Do I have something on my Pacifier?

First Day of Pre- K!

MaryEllen started Pre-K at Hagan Park this week and she is loving it!!! ( I would just call it preschool, by the way, but she corrects me every time, "It's Pre- KINDERGARTEN, Mom!") The first day I didn't have much time to take pictures, because even though the teachers said I could stay as long as I wanted, she made it clear that I should go. I cried for about 15 minutes. When I picked her up she asked if next time I could drop her off outside! Thank heaven's for signing in and out, I have the law on my side for this one!


Out front, raring to go.


Her own cubby!


Writing her name on her first art project.

Welcome to the Family!!!

We have a new addition on the Fry side! In an attempt to overthrow every major holiday, my brother Michael and his wife Jessica welcomed baby girl Emelia Mollie Fry to the world on Thanksgiving morning. (Her big brother Elliot was born on Christmas.)

Here are some cutie cute pics of the little bundle.


The caption Jessica put on this was 9 lb Turkey!


Elliot is going to be an awesome brother!


trying to eat Mommy's nose?

Two Haircuts

Henry had his first haircut a few months ago, but it was a miserable experience for everyone. So when it came time for a trim, I thought it would be a good idea if he went to see Daddy get a haircut, then get one himself in the same chair. It worked out a little better, but I still think he would rather be a hairy beast than have anyone with scissors come near him. Oh well, It made for some good pictures!


Daddy setting the example. (Yes, Brian regularly gets his hair cut at SportClips. No, It doesn't bother me that all the girls who work there are hot and wear cute little Ref jerseys and love sports. Well, maybe a little.)


Happy as a clam! (before the girl breaks out the scissors)


A nice before shot


The fight ensues!


Get that camera out of my face!


Going limp is a really good strategy in this situation.


Daddy had to take control.


MaryEllen feeling left out.


The after shot. Aren't they handsome!

Our busy Halloween

We had a really fun Halloween! On Tuesday night we went to the ward trunk or treat, then on Thursday the kids dressed up for storytime at the Library. By Friday I think they were sick of their costumes, but they put them on one more time to visit Daddy at work and go trick or treating on our street. Even the rain didn't bum the kids out, we came home wet and cold, but loaded up with candy! Yay, we love Halloween!

A side view of Henry's Nemo costume


The lovely Snow White!


Finally, Brian was able to pin down Nemo. Something about that costume just made him want to run! (I think he was trying to get lost so that we would have to "find" him.) It was so cute when he ran though, because his little tail fin would go back and forth just like he was swimming!


Snow white found her prince, and Nemo found his Dad. They turned out to be the same guy.


Storytime with Miss Shelley


Look fast! He's actually holding still!


The elusive Mommy. (I'm usually behind the camera.)


MaryEllen and her friend Lucia (Sleeping Beauty) listening to the story.

It's a boy!!!

There's no doubt about it! My gut feeling that I was having a girl (I said I was 99% sure) was 100% wrong! Ive got the ultra sound pictures for proof. He is such a little cutie! (And a bit of an exhibitionist, too!)

Introducing..... Emmett Jeffrey Faulconer!




How's that for proof?!

Look at that profile! What a little hunk!

MaryEllen's funny mind

This is just something funny MaryEllen said tonight. We were walking through Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse (a huge shoe store) and she said, "I wonder how many tongues are in this store."

I swear I have never even told her that shoes have tongues. Where does she get it?!

Apple Hill!

Our family took our annual trip to Apple Hill last saturday and we were happy to be joined by my brother Michael and his family. We made our usual rounds; starting at High Hill with caramel apples and a stop at the Fudge factory. Next we went to Boa Vista where we always buy pumpkins and Apple cider. We rounded out the trip at Abel's acres for a trip through the hay maze and some other fun things for the kids. We had a great time!


MaryEllen and cousin Elliot on the pony rides!


Henry got his pointer finger out for the ponies


Henry and Daddy gt to pet the ponies that were taking a break


I'm not sure what this face means.


Henry was nearly eclipsed by his caramel apple


Needless to say, we got no chocolate.
(life was unbearable.)


Elliot with his fellow pumpkin heads




Trying to heft this enormous pumpkin is hard work!


Taking a rest


MaryEllen and her perfect pumpkin
(it even had the little curly things on the stem!)


our annual picture in the pumpkin patch


Henry chillin' with Aunt Jessica


MaryEllen and I trying to escape the Hay Maze


Little ghosts


What a scary witch! I think she was scared of herself!


Our cute little pumpkins! Happy Halloween!