My doe-eyed bottle rocket

My darling April is the apple of my eye. 

She is cheerful and lively and brings us hours of delight.

Doesn't she just look like a sweet, docile angel? 

But one thing I have learned (and so has Tyler) about pretty girls:

Don't let those doe-eyes fool you. 

Because inside that meek, cherubic exterior
lies a demon with a squeal that can shatter glass.

I have determined that God gives us the strength and abilities we need
to endure life's challenges. April's current life-challenge is about 3 years old
with a blankie and an attitude. Whenever Bryce comes within three feet of her,
she lets off a scream that has the pitch of a bottle-rocket
and the endearing quality of a tornado siren.

Now, I have no argument with this natural defense mechanism.
The problem is she has learned that this tool of unrestrained volume
is highly effective at not just repelling Bryce,
but also motivating those around her to do her every will.

When she wants more milk: scream. When Bryce takes her toy: scream.
When she wants to get down from her high-chair: scream.
When she is tired: scream. When she is bored: scream.
When she wants to be picked up, put down, moved or hugged...

You get the idea.

I love her. But I will also love it when she outgrows this stage.

Because, you know... age two is so much easier.

Happy Halloween!

 Spooky Greetings from Bryce's new best friend, Jack.

You know the biggest problem with having
a jack-o-lantern as your best friend?

He always eats all your chips! 

Bryce loves to dance by Tyler's custom-made 

ghosts that hang from our front tree. 

They sway in the wind and are quite cute, actually. 

I mean, no...they are scary!!

Check out our ginormous spiders that cling to the front columns. 

We had these imported from Texas. 

They were hiding out in David's closet. 

And finally, here's Stewart, who sits cheerfully
on the porch with his jug of cider and welcomes the season.

We love Stewart because nothing says "Happy Harvest"
 quite like an intoxicated scarecrow.