Happy Halloween!

If you look at our picture from last Halloween, Chris and I look almost exactly the same. Same expression on our faces, differently costumed children...weird. That must be our "we're exhausted, but ready to kick ass trick or treating" face. This year, we had a Dorothy, Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Ethan made sure people knew he was Obi Wan from Star Wars IV, A New Hope. Very important distinction among Star Wars geeks, I guess. Yoda did not make it far on the trick or treating, but Dorothy and Obi Wan made a haul.

We always have a special Halloween lunch on the weekend before. This year was no different. We had Halloweenies (hot dogs, wrapped with crescent rolls to look like mummies), a pizza calzone shaped like a snake, cookies that looked like witches fingers with red almonds for fingernails. Plus our Mac n Sneeze, and witches brew with gummy worms that we have every year. It was another fun-filled Halloween over here at the Schlien household! -RL

Little Men

This picture of Elliot is not real clear, but it just makes me happy. I was trying to get him to stay put to take a picture and he just kept getting in my face. He just looks cute. His newest words are "turtle", "deer" and "all done."

These are the Es on their last rendezvous to the park before the cold weather struck. We were in Brainerd and went to the park every day, knowing that we would be housebound for the next few months. With the exception of Disney World in December!

Who's Ready for a Change?!

Just a reminder to vote tomorrow, November 4! If you are like us, you've been waiting for this day for 8 long years. It's no secret who we are voting for, but whoever your choice is, just VOTE! -RL

It's Not Easy Bein' This Handsome...

I wanted to try and post a video on this blog and it seems that it works! Here are my boys at breakfast. -RL

A Foretaste of Things to Come...

I am really into Halloween. I love it. We got the boys costumes pretty early this year, as Ethan knew exactly what he wanted to be and Elliot doesn't have a choice yet. If you're a Star Wars nerd than you will appreciate this little gem of an anecdote. After Elliot got this Yoda costume, Ethan wanted to be Degobah Luke and carry his brother "Yoda" around in a backpack...like in the movie. Check back on Halloween to see if Chris and I dress up with these 2! I'd make a pretty mean Jabba the Hutt! -RLCute you are, I think.

Ethan Wan Kenobi

Brothers

These moments get me every time. We had a little slumber party the weekend before kindergarten started. We put a mattress on the living room floor with blankets and pillows. We watched movies and fell asleep. These 2 were little snugglers and it could not have been cuter. I have the same reaction when they hold hands in the back of the van or on the way to Ethan's school. I know that in a few years, there will be an occasional fight, but for now, I just have to bask in this love they have for each other. -RL

These People Are Fun...

This last summer was a whirlwind. It was one of the most fun summers I've had in a while because we got to see a lot of friends from far-away places that we don't see that often. Here is my homage to my homies.
Here is Uncle Brian Jars with Ethan and Elliot. They love him and his new rockin' wife, Bonnie (not pictured..sorry!) very much. The Jars' are currently in Argentina, but we were lucky enough to have them living with us for a month.

Below is Tiffany, high school/college/life friend who I love so very much. She's in Chicago, but we got together for some lake time at her parents house in Brainerd. Her son Boston and my Ethan are almost the same age. She also has 2 others, Darika and Dastan. Here is our clan all together.These are friends Cynthia and Chelle. Chelle lives in Montana, but came to town for the Jars' wedding preception. (Pre-wedding celebration.) We all had such a fun time together-from what I can remember!

Here is Cynthia, my oldest friend (7th grade!)that I still keep in touch with. She lives in Boise, and I miss her and love her a lot. My kids love her too and she's very generous and fun with them. By the way, you can check out her blog at cyndiandmike.blogspot.com. Maybe she'll actually update it!

I love all these friends. They are all so funny and crazy and fabulous. It's probably better that we all live so far away. Maybe I appreciate them more. -RL