Liz, Sam, and I flew to TX for a short weekend to help Deb make the final preparations before the baby arrived.  We had a nice time visiting with Deb, Ed, and Mema.  Lizzy was still not feeling well and most mornings were spent comforting her, but by afternoon she would feel better. 

Aunt "Dub" helps Lizzy makes friends with the neighbor girl.

Lizzy and Sammy enjoy some bongo drum music on the backporch. 

Sam's favorite toy on the trip was the dust bucket...  He would spend an hour or more just dragging the thing around the backporch!

Sam enjoyed the fall display in his aunt and uncle's front yard.

Lizzy takes a ride on the pony at the outlet mall (50 cents instead of a penny like at Meijers in MI!).

Mema enjoying the fresh air in the front yard.

After work we often try to get outside and play.  However, the last few weeks it has been a bit difficult as Lizzy is having a hard time recovering from her stomach bug at the end of October.  She complains of stomach pains - some of which are so painful that she is doubled over for 10 - 15 minutes.  At the second visit to her doctor, we were sent to the ER for testing.  After an X-ray, ultrasound, and bloodwork we were told it was msot likely l"gas.".  However, it has now been another week and she is still in pain (plus new issues).  Today Lizzy's doctor sent her to get more tests and referred her to a ped GI specialist.  We are praying that we can figure out soon what is going on. 

 Lizzy smiles for the camera.

Sammy loves to just walk around the yard with his daily "toy-of-choice."

We did not know if we would be able to go trick-or-treating, as the whole family came down with a nasty stomach bug two days earlier.  However, by Sunday evening we were all feeling a bit better, so the kids went door-to-door "asking" for candy.  Lizzy was a bit more brave than last year and acutally went to the door - however she would not say "trick-ro-treat."  Sammy had no issues with shyness, he would march right up to the buckets and grab handfuls of candy...

Lizzy dressed up as a princess (she called herself "Ariel").  Lexi dressed-up as Snow White.  Lexi is the same friend that we wetn out with last year.  The girls had a fun time together (and looked cute!).

Sam wore the same giraffe costume Lizzy wore lasst year.  Yes, Sam is currently only one and Lizzy was two last year - however it was a bit big on him.  He was going to wear a hand-me-down monkey from his cousins, but it did not fit.