McNabb Family Blog

I think Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I’ve said it before, but having little kids just makes things almost magical again. This year’s Halloween was no different.

By the time we were done Ensley had dressed up and worn her Halloween costume five times.

It started out with Evan’s company Halloween party. I LOVE the Red Hat party. The different departments decorate their cubes and pass out candy to the employees’ kids. After the trick or treating, everyone gathers for pizza. It’s low key, but so fun.

Enjoying the wonderful decorations.

Hazel in her cupcake costume.

After the work party, Ensley had a party in her dance class as well as her preschool class. Such a cute group of kids.

Our neighbor gave Hazel this cute outfit when she was born. I took it out of the closet to give to our friend because I was sure she couldn’t wear a size 6 months. I should have known better. A few more good meals and Hazel would have needed some baby spanx to fit into it.

The next night we had our ward’s Trunk-or-Treat. In the excitement of decorating our car (and also the stupidity of assuming a two year old completely followed directions), Will’s costume did not make it. (Neither did his jacket, shoes or candy bucket . . . luckily, I have prepared friends who saved the night.)

Ensley and her pal Mazie (aka Snow White and Dorothy).

Will and his pal Aiden (aka “Mean Guy T-Rex” and a shark)

Hazel didn’t quite make it to the end of the party.

When we got home this was waiting for us in the garage. Awesome. Next time I’ll make sure to confirm we’ve gotten all of the stuff for the house and the garage!

Halloween itself was a few days later. I was really trying to avoid carving pumpkins, but Ensley’s too smart for that. She continued to ask me and remind me about carving them until I finally gave in.

Will and Hazel on the other hand weren’t as dedicated to the pumpkin carving idea as Ens. Although Will did eventually decide to give up the bike for a chance at using a knife.

After we carved our pumpkins it was time for our Halloween dinner. Complete with mummy hot dogs, jello worms, finger carrots, and dirt cake.

Unfortunately, Halloween night was wet and rainy. We decided to venture out early, hit the houses on our street and cul-de-sac, and call it a night. (Another benefit of small kids: they go to six houses and they’re totally satisfied).

Will was refusing to put on the “head” of his dinosaur costume. Eventually, I know mean parents, we put it on him let him cry it out and by the time he was done crying about it he had forgotten it was on. The rule was no one could mention to Will that he had a dinosaur on his head.

Ensley was just as excited to sit at home and pass out candy. We even started to run out of candy and she began to give hers away. Like a good mom, I just made sure she passed out all the sugary ones before she gave away any of her chocolate.

Posted on January 22nd, 2012 by Lisa
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Ensley loves bones. A while back I found a pair of bone pajamas for her. If they were clean, she’d wear them. Eventually, she grew out of them. So this Halloween when the bone jamies came back into stores I was so excited to find a pair in all three kids sizes.

I dont know which is more exciting, the fact that they all are “triplets” or that their jamies glow in the dark. Nevertheless, the bone jamies are a huge hit at our house. Luckily for Hazel, she now has 4 pairs to grow into.

Posted on January 22nd, 2012 by Lisa
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

The weather is finally cooling down and we are once again able to enjoy being outside. I love fall. I can’t think of many things more enjoyable than sitting out on the screened porch, eating dinner and watching my little ones play in the yard. I’d say it’s pretty close to perfect.

Posted on January 22nd, 2012 by Lisa
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Will loves “Uncle Teevie.” We took these pictures blessing weekend, and I think they totally illustrate Will’s admiration for his uncle.

Will loves his “cows” (cowboy boots).  He really wanted to share them with Stevie. Unfortunately, they just didn’t quite fit. (BTW, Will’s face is green from face painting)

Already learning the muscle flex. I think Will has a little ways to go before he’s caught up.

Posted on January 22nd, 2012 by Lisa
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Evan’s parents came down the first weekend of October to meet Hazel. Nancy flew in a few days before Paul and Stewart drove down. Paul actually surprised us and left early and drove through the night. We always have such a nice time when they come. Nancy really helped me get things checked off my list — I love a person who totally takes my to-do list seriously.

There are a few stores that are always on the check-off list. TJ Maxx, Pier 1, and my most favorite local gardening shop. It not only has wonderful plants, a pet prairie dog name Alvin, but it also has wonderful ecletic home decor and holiday decorations. I think it was the thrill of the season when Ensley found this little guy for Halloween. Bones and sparkles. It was love at first sight; he just had to come home to our family.

Another forced picture, “Smile and you can see Alvin again.” Got to love a little innocent bribery.

Another “must” is a visit to the farmer’s market. At this time of year there is an amazing selection of pumpkins. Who ever knew that pumpkins came in so many varieties and sizes.

Since we were working hard at shopping and finding amazing fall decorations and things to just make our house feel a little more “homey,” we felt it was more than fair to put the men to work. And not to mention, we totally went easy on them this trip. They only had to hang all the pictures in Will’s room and create a frame for a map we had purchased. Ensley even offered her “helping” services. You know, four year olds are wonderful helpers when it comes to projects with saws, nails, hammers, and paint.

Evan expressing his appreciation for the opportunity to “participate” in Nancy and I’s grand scemes as well as Ensley’s help. I swear, he really does love us after it’s all done.

Besides decorating and shopping, we also enjoyed good food. It’s our tradition to go to the Cheesecake Factory. I can usually also count on some Fannie Mae chocolates and Nancy’s classic chocolate chip cookies.

One night Elder Eshiet (who had lived with Paul and Nancy) and his father drove from their home in Greensboro to have dinner with us. The father told us of his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as well as the growth of the church in Nigeria. It was such an uplifting evening. Something I hope to always remember. Sometimes people’s stories can be one of the best ways to remind you of the truthfulness of the restored gospel.

Hazel also got her fair share of attention. It’s a grandparent’s duty, you know. Plus, at our house, holding a baby gives you “baby immunity” which pretty much gets you out of most anything.

This time I prayed that their car would break down so they’d have to stay another day, but unfortunately they brought their new reliable minivan, so no such luck. Fortunately, the holidays weren’t too far away, so we knew it wouldn’t be too long before we saw them again.

Posted on January 22nd, 2012 by Lisa
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

As to be expected, Hazel’s life has been full of a lot of “firsts”. Of course, you have to have the typical first bath pictures. Luckily for us, we don’t even have to cover up private parts in the picture below because she decided to make it easy on us and just poop in the tub instead. The kids loved this. They still (three months later) talk about it.

Of course, following the bath, you also have to have the essential first sibling hair combing as well.

Another first for Hazel was a stay at our local pediatric hospital. Her “caring means sharing” siblings were so kind to bring home a little bug. Despite me trying to ignore her fever we eventually ended up in the pediatric ER with a fever. Because she was so young she got an automatic 48 hour stay complete with the whole spinal tap, IV antibiotics, cath, etc. The only good part was seeing all my old friends from when I used to work on that floor. Even that wasn’t good enough to warrant watching my baby get poked repeatedly.

Evan had to make sure to initiate her into the world of sports. Here they are watching the World Series.

He’s already started to show her how you take naps while watching college football. She’s got this whole sleeping while the TV is on thing down pat.

Sometimes you just need a reason to show off a picture like… first time she wore this outfit.

(Not the) first time she blew out her diaper and hung out in a blanket.

First time you realize that your parents’ entertainment really is boring.

And last but not least: you always have to have your first embarassing picture. This is Hazel’s.

Posted on January 4th, 2012 by Lisa
Filed under: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

I swear they “named” themselves. Ensley calls herself “Big Sissy” or sometimes “Big Sister”, while Will calls himself “Big Budder.”

Ensley was so excited for Hazel to come. We started counting down seasons (e.g “After the pool closes and you start preschool again”), then weeks, and then finally days. She really is helpful. She always wants to hold her and do “big sister jobs.” The other day I paid her ten pennies to sing to Hazel while I made dinner. She could have gotten a dollar if she knew how to bargain.

Will has taken on the position of protective older brother very well. He’s always worried that we might leave Hazel behind and makes sure to point out to other kids that she is *his* “Baby Hazel.” More than once I’ve found kiss leftovers stuck on the top of Hazel’s head from his sweet kisses. Will is always pointing out Hazel’s moods. “Mom, Hazel happy.” or “Mom, Hazel crying; Hazel not happy.” He’s quick to notice that “Hazel needs passy.” He’ll find a pacifier and try to give it to her. Even if that means gently stuffing it down her throat until she chokes.

For the first few months of Hazel’s life, Will would often ask: “Hazel go back to hospital now?” It was so cute. I’m sure he thought, take this thing back home, I’m done playing with her already.

As shown by the pictures, Ensley is much more into holding Hazel than Will is, but Will is always coming over and kissing her. I am a little grateful Will isn’t the best “holder” in the world, so a kiss on the head is a much better fit.

Posted on January 4th, 2012 by Lisa
Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

I can’t ever tell who our kids look like. If people comment, they usually say Ensley looks more like Evan. If people comment on Will, they usually say they think he looks like my brother. For a while I was thinking Hazel looked a lot like Ens. But then after pulling up these pictures I wasn’t too sure. I could see a lot of Will in her too.

First: Will; Second: Hazel; Third: Ensley

Posted on September 23rd, 2011 by Lisa
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »