Halloween Preparations

My father operates a classic car restoration shop. They specialize in restoring late '60's and early '70's MOPAR muscle cars - 'Cudas, Chargers, etc. Last weekend at Aunt A's he and my mother gave DW and I a little MOPAR themed jumpsuit for Ashton Beau. Here he is taking a nap in it this afternoon.

Later my parents drove down to visit and we went out to buy pumpkins to carve into jackolanterns this week for Halloween. After loading up on pumpkins, we went out to dinner together.

Nungesser and Ashton Beau picking out their pumpkins.

The whole family before the pumpkins.

Ashton Beau showing us his "my grandfather is almost as embarassing as my Dad, someone please pull the lever to have the safe drop on me now" grimace.

Ashton Beau loved the little windmill with the vampire face in the middle. Here he is with my father spinning it around. That frightening man re-appears in the second photo!




Ashton Beau with DW and my mother in the car park playing with the vampire windmill. It was very windy this afternoon and the spinning of the windmill really captivated his attention.




After the getting pumpkins, we all went out for Italian food. Not only did Ashton Beau successfully duel a cloth napkin at dinner, he ate escarole for the first time.

An Evening At Aunt A and Uncle B's

This evening DW and I took Ashton Beau for dinner over to the home of my father's brother and his wife, Aunt A and Uncle B. Among those dining with us were my paternal grandmother, a couple of first cousins, and their respective children. This was Ashton Beau's first family gathering outside of our home or the homes of his grandparents. And here here for the first time he was surrounded by a lot of young chldren. Aunt A and Uncle B have a piano ans, like anything else that makes lound noises, it was big hit with Ashton Beau.

Tickling the ivory for the first time with my father.

And here the daughter of one of my first cousins (does that make her a second cousin or first cousin once removed - I can never remember the details on that) joins him.

After the piano they moved on to the mirror.

Aunt A, better get out the Windex.

Ashton Beau looking out the window in his bedroom.

Ashton Beau has found the diaper bin.



He's also figured out how to pull out the drawer below the oven and use it as a step to climmb up towards the stove. I had to snap this shot before pulling him down from there.



Who, me climb up here???





Ashton Beau and Nungesser at Elm Park yesterday morning.



The Conqueror of the Elm Park play-ground.



More photos from yesterday morning's trip to the park.

Yesterday evening we went over to the home of Ashton Beau's maternal grandmother to celebrate her brithday and the birthday of one of his uncles. Here he is practicing his ambulatory technique with his grandmother.

Getting some help from his maternal grandfather.



With a couple of his cousins and his grandmother.



A couple more with cousins.





And one with one of DW's sisters.