Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! It has been an exciting one out here in Indianapolis, what with an official two year-old running around and her adorable little sister. It all started out on Tuesday when the girls decorated the house for Halloween and we carved some pumpkins, and it peaked tonight with some trick or treating. So, for all the interested parties, some pictures:

Hazel's first attempt at a pumpkin

And her try at a squishier version

But Daddy ended up doing most of the dirty work

Our final creations

And the pumpkins in their natural habitat

Megan getting into the spirit

Tinkerbell getting antsy to get out the door

"C'mon daddy! It's empty! Let's go fill it up!"

Hazel's first KitKat. She liked it very much (but she didn't blink for the next 45 minutes)

Hazel and Elise had a great Halloween!

Visiting the Great Grandparents

Yesterday, I took both the girls down to Southern Illinois to visit Grammy and spend some time with her. She said that she had raked her leaves up into a pile for Hazel to jump in and she needed to get her fix of holding Elise. When I asked Hazel what we were going to do at Grammy's, her response sounded suspiciously like "Dump Elise" but I think she meant "Jump in the leaves."

Once we got to Grammy's, however, we found that her lawncare man had come and mulched all the leaves, so we went over to Great-Grandma and Grandpa White's to visit them. They hadn't met Elise yet, and their nursing home is right next door to the Dairy Dee, so Hazel could get some ice cream after our visit.

Here are some pictures of the introductions.

Grandpa, Elise.

Elise, Grandpa.

Grandma, Elise.

Elise, Grandma.

Hazel's 2 Years Old!

Last Friday was Hazel's 2nd birthday! She had a small family party with Mom, Dad, and Elise, and also invited Grammy and the Patterson cousins for dinner and cupcakes. She had her favorite meal, "belly-buttons" (tortellini) and garlic bread with fruit punch. And for dessert: Pixie Cupcakes! She had a great time and the only one who was unhappy was Audrey, who thought Hazel wasn't opening her gifts fast enough and was keen to help. Here are a few pictures of the celebration.

Daddy bought these awesome balloons for decoration.

Mommy made these awesome Pixie Cupcakes with chocolate wings.

Mommy was pretty proud of herself.

Presents!

Hazel gearing up for her party by watching Tinkerbell.

Yum! Belly-buttons for dinner!

Two candles!

Edible pixie wings!

Hazel had lots of helpers when opening her presents.

But it didn't take long for her to figure out how to do it herself.

She even had lots of helpers when playing with her new toys.

Birthday explosion!

Aunt Stephanie sent these princess toys. Hazel loves playing with "Sweepy Booty" and "Frienderella."

Even Daddy wants in on the new toy action!

Trip to the Corn Maze

This afternoon, the McCain family decided to get into the autumn spirit and head out to the Heartland Apple Festival. There were apples, bouncy houses, and a corn maze.

Hazel is excited to wear her new t-shirt out to the Apple Festival.

The ladies are pretty excited about the corn maze!

Somehow, we managed to find corn in Indiana!

The ladies taking a stroll through the corn.

Hazel checking out the surroundings.

...And discovering that corn has "hair."

It took us a while with this navigator.

Elise had a personal escort, and pretty sweet ride.

A couple more pictures

Another few pictures of the girls (with mom and dad thrown in for comic relief).

(Don't worry, she didn't eat Megan's face)

Some quick pictures

Here are some more pictures for the adoring fans of Hazel and Elise.