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This is one of those quick entries to get links up for the latest pictures. The kids went out trick-or-treating with some friends from school. They finished up with a little more here in the neighborhood. As any kid would, they had a great time getting more candy than any individual needs. Becky took some great pictures you can find by clicking here.
During the same week, some of my team from the RSTS Asia office were working in Fort Worth. Earlier on the 31st, we visited the Fort Worth Zoo and the Stockyards. It was a great visit. I know everyone here was very excited to get to work with them in person for a couple of weeks versus always depending on a web or teleconference. I hope we get another chance soon! Click here to view those photos.

Television. Is it the greatest evil to appear in the 20th century, a nice way to pass time, or a valuable tool in a variety of arenas when utilized correctly? (Surely learning something while watching TV can’t be all bad.) Rachel is finally getting old enough we are having to give TV its due consideration around when, what, and how much. Until recently, outside of the Mickey Mouse Club in the morning, Rachel had ignored television. She would pause for an occasional glance now and again. Otherwise, she simply did not care. That was until Shrek the Third.

We purchased the DVD right before Thanksgiving for something the family could watch together – kid to adult. We didn’t end up watching it, so Rachel didn’t see it for the first time until that weekend. Not only was this the first movie she ever watched from beginning to end, but she was immediately enamored with it. Since then, she constantly asks to watch the “Shrek Movie.” If we’d let her, I think she have it on the television 24/7. The good news is, she will still walk away to read a book with me or Becky, to play with her little brother, or go to the park. On the other hand, it is scary the amount of her attention it can seize given the right conditions.

Photo Sets Since Last Update:
The First Halloween where Rachel was Able to Trick or Treat
40th Birthday Celebration for my Boss, Chris – Full Redneck Style
Jason’s Halloween Party
Ben’s First Shoes
Ben’s First Haircut
Ben’s First Birthday
Rachel Helps to Build the New Kids Table
Ben Fell Asleep at the Table
Drew’s Bar Mitzvah
Miscellaneous Photos from September
Miscellaneous Photos from August
Rachel Enjoyed Bennett’s Birthday Party at Pump It Up
Miscellaneous Photos from July

I was looking back at some of the history on the blog recently. You can definitely tell the point at which each child arrived. Almost the immediately, the frequency of posting went down. Every time I think I’ve got a good idea of how things are going to work, things change again. They change so rapidly at their ages; for instance, Benjamin is mobile now and a real bull in a china closet. And Rachel is definitely testing every single 2 year old boundary. Please welcome Attitude to the building. <grin>. But for every moment of frustration, there are a million smiles, giggles, and hugs to go with them. So, forgetting is easy.

Ben has turned one since my last post. In the photo set you’ll find pictures from his party at daycare and the one we held at home. You’ll notice a common element in both sets, Ben loves to take a frosting bath. During the party at home, Eduardo leaned in a bit too close and received a blue frosting tattoo all his own. Just like with Rachel, the first year has flown by. It really slips away too quickly, but the following stages are great in their own way, too. (Think I’ll be saying that when they are teenagers?)

The other big event since my last post was Drew’s Bar Mitzvah. (Yep. You caught the obvious exception of the aforementioned Thanksgiving with the family. I’ll get to that with another post including the pictures. Maybe by February. <grin>) Both Debbie and Drew’s speeches at the ceremony were outstanding. They were humorous, poignant, and most of all heartwarming. I have to applaud both of them. And, what a party Bruce and Debbie put together for Drew! Fortunately, neither Rachel nor Ben is old enough to remember it or Laura’s. But, poor Sharon had better start saving. <wink>

In case I don’t get another post up before next year, let me take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to everyone throughout the holidays and new year! Now, back to chasin’ munchkins!

It has been a while since I’ve done an entry, so I thought I should at least put up something. As any parent whose lived with an infant will attest, Rachel is eating up lots of our free time right now. And the rest of it, we end up sleeping as some of these photos will demonstrate. So, rather than trying to explain all the changes Rachel has been going through, I thought the time would be better spent putting up a couple of new photo updates. I’m sure you’d rather see pictures of Rachel than hear me prattle on anyway!

Photos taken while Rachel was between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 months old
Photos taken while Rachel during her 6 to 7 month span
Rachel’s First Halloween