Hurricane Sandy update and some Halloween pics

A five day weekend is as good of an excuse as any to get caught up on my blog updates.  As many of you know, the greater Philadelphia area was hit pretty hard by Hurricane Sandy so Kevin and I have had a few days off and home with Hope & Jack.  We were very fortunate to only lose power for an hour or so on Monday and just have a few tree branches to deal with in our yard.  That is quite a contrast from our beloved Jersey Shore and many of our friends in the greater NJ/NYC area so we are very grateful.  Kevin will return to LM today though his students get another day off.  I'm off again as J&J is still putting things back together.  Their headquarters are in North Jersey so I'm not surprised that most facilities do not have power and the overall network is a mess.  SEPTA is back running so I'm hoping that our nanny makes it to Havertown today so I can hide and get some more stuff accomplished. 

I posted these photos to facebook earlier today and wanted to get them on the blog too as I know many of you are not facebook users.  We had them taken a couple weeks ago by a mom from my multiples club who is an aspiring photographer and was offering mini-photo sessions in costumes at a local park.  I think Halloween has not been postponed in Havertown so maybe the twins will make it back into these outfits tonight, but at least I have the photos!!!  Neither one really knows what Halloween is yet and they don't get much exposure to candy so I'm not sure they'll notice if we don't trick or treat???  Does that make us bad parents???  Jack is most recently OBSESSED with Mickey Mouse Club House and has been watching the Halloween episode daily, but I don't think he's made the connection with the day in the park and his Elmo suit. Could Hopie be a more adorable lady bug?

Some of our fall adventures

Here are a few recent photos from our adventures at the end of summer and early fall.  I started this post weeks ago, but never finished it or got it uploaded, so here it is now.  

These were taken at a local park.  Kevin was at a basketball tournament so the kids and I went to park.  I chose a new one kinda far from our house hoping to get in a work out while pushing them in our Bob.  Jack insisted on riding in the wagon instead so my workout was all about the arms.  Totally worth it though as we had the fenced in tot lot all to ourselves and I got some great shots!

A new addition to our driveway so that Jack can get some early practice in - thanks Uncle Jim. He made this shot!!!

We were able to trial a loaner iPAD to use with Hope's communication therapy.  Guess who was a HUGE fan?  When she could get access to it, Hope was also a fan. 

 We were lucky to get a visit from my old friends Bridget and Dave and their new addition Aaron.  Here's the best photo I got of all the kids together.  No photos of the adults as usual . . .

While they were here, we visited the hippos at the aquarium who were in a posing mode. 

We also said hi to the sharks . . .

 

And took cute photos with Daddy.

 

Who's ready for football season, I am???

One of Hope's new pull up spots.  :-)

 Just a normal dinner at our house . . .

 Remember our bed photos from the past (click here, here, and here) . . . look at my babies now!!!

 Attempt #9987 for a cute shot of both of the twins.  Thank you Jack. 

 A recent visit to the Please Touch Museum with my friend Gaby really highlighted to me all the progress Hope is making as she was able to interact and enjoy so much more of the exhibits on this visit compared to our last one 3 months prior.

Standing and playing at the water table

Both kids happily riding the carousel

 Driving the construction vehicle with Mommy

 Driving a scooter

 Pushing a shopping cart

 Driving the Septa bus

I've talked a bit about my farm share veggie box.  One week in August, I decided to add to my share with 25 lbs of roma tomatoes . . .

which I turned into these. 

My thought process was that I would have tomatoes to cook with all winter, but honestly I've been going through my jarred tomatoes so fast that I'm almost out and I think I may have to can 50 lbs next year.  It was really easy to can them despite the time commitment.  If anyone wants a link to the recipe, let me know.