Annie Jane is 8 months

Oh our sweet little girl is getting closer and closer to being 1 year old. She is now 8.5 months, butterflying across the floor (no army crawl...it's the butterfly stroke) and finally realizes that she can 'look' for us if we're not in the same room. Although she 'tires' easy from her strokes (at least that is what she makes us believe.) She is captivated by Ethan's every move (Brian and I both have asked Ethan to 'leave the room' when she's eating...or to play right next to us so she'll keep looking forward) She pouts like he does, screams with glee like he does and almost laughs like he does. She absolutely adores him. And he absolutely adores her. So do we. She is such a joy. Her eyes continue to shine bright blue. I love it, they are so pretty.
Annie Jane just confirmed yesterday that she really can drink out of a bottle, if necessary. I had a primary activity down at the San Diego Temple, and was gone for about 2 feedings worth. Brian fixed her an 8 oz bottle and she downed it like it was second nature. Before yesterday, we've been working with her for about 2 months...bottles and sippy cups, trying to get her to catch on, but all she would do is take little sips or gnaw on it. This is a very good progress, and so convenient now that she's older. Annie Jane Earl, I love you!
Here are some pictures I took to capture that '8 month' moment.

Pumpkin Patches

Our own cute pumpkin bumpkins!

On our way home from the Train Festival, Brian took a new road in Fallbrook that led us past a Pumpkin Patch. Yay! A field full of pumpkins...we chose 2 to carve and Ethan chose his very special one too. It was a perfect way to end our Saturday fun.

Train Station Fun

This past weekend we took a family trip to Poway (50 minutes South) for their 13th annual 'Train Song Festival". It is Brian and my 6th year anniversary...and though this was an event that focused on kids, I knew we'd have fun. We needed somewhere 'free' to play. Ethan is so in love with trains, and the event offered a trip on a 1907 Baldwin Steam Engine around the perimeter of the park. We bought tickets (Golden tickets like on "Polar Express") and rode in the very last car of the train. We witnessed a "train-robbery" ...which upset Ethan, but when we were all 'saved' by the sheriff, he was good to go again!

In the last car of the train, we got the best view...hind sight is 20/20, right?
"We couldn't see where next we'd be... just where we'd traveled last!"

The whole park seemed to be a 'train depot' theme, and there was a Templars building that had a sign that said it served as Poway's first High school. Inside was a room filled with Electric Train Tracks, and model buildings. Ethan was fascinated to watch those model trains go round and through tunnels, etc. In front of the building was a sculpture of a pioneer woman waving a welcome to the passengers arriving at the station. It seemed this park was very dedicated to preserving the 'pioneer' spirit. We loved it!
We ate our packed lunch in the park, behind a stage where we could listen to performers sing all sorts of train songs. There were some great climbing oak trees, and Ethan got a little taste of that 'boy-kind-of-fun'

It was here I decided what he would be for Halloween: a train conductor. He had the white shirt, overalls and neckerchief...his outfit was complete once we bought the hat (see picture below). I am loving these years when 'goblins' 'ghosts' and 'monsters' are not a part of his vocabulary, especially in his land of make believe.

Ethan, Annie Jane & Mom in front of the Templars Building