SCARY!

Yes, it is Halloween, and yes, you would think that would mean this post would be pictures of the Salvateenies in their first real Halloween costumes.

Don't worry, that will come later.

But their costumes are cute, not scary, and this is a scary Halloween post.

What is so scary???

MAX HAS STARTED TO WALK!

For a week or so, he has been balancing up on his feet, squatting down a little, and jumping up in the air.  But on Saturday night, as we were sitting in the living room watching the Stanford-USC game go into its first overtime, Max stood up, leaned a little to one side, picked his foot up and shuffled it forward, then leaned to the other side, picked up the other foot, and stepped with it.  Then he fell over.

That was it.  Just two little steps, but you could see his eyes opening up to all the possibilities that lie ahead for him.

Meanwhile, Caroline continues to pull herself up to things, let go to balance a bit, applaud her achievement, and knock herself over with the effort of clapping.  You would never know Daniel hadn't been crawling forever the way he moves around these days, and he's cruising like a champion.

We'll count the days to see how long it takes the others to catch on to this walking thing...

Stories I Might've Forgotten to Tell

I'm sure I mentioned the time that Max hit the right sequence of buttons on the phone to call me on my cell phone while I was in the other room.  I might have forgotten to mention one other adventure.

One day, when Joe was home with the babies and they were pretending to be well behaved, the doorbell rang.  When Joe went to answer the door, he was greeted by a police officer who was there to "check up on a 911 call" they'd received.

That's right - the babies had dialed 9-1-1!

The operator heard children on the other end.  They tried to call back to make sure everything was all right, but since they kept getting voice mail (since the phone was off the hook), they sent a patrolman out to check on everything.

The best part of the story, though, was Joe's Facebook status afterwards.  After explaining that SFPD came to the door in response to the babies' 911 call, he told them, "Listen, guys, if you don't want to take a nap - just say so!"

In other news....

Caroline has started standing without support.  She gets very proud of herself, starts to clap, and falls over, so she doesn't have any time records yet.

Max can whistle.  Apparently you do just put your lips together and blow.  At least he does.  Sometimes it comes out as a raspberry, but he's still learning.

Daniel would like you to take a peek at his first official screen credit - even if the screen is a computer one rather than a movie one...

We were able to get a copy of the full commercial (15 seconds - he's in the first 3), but were asked not to post it, so if you'd like to see a copy, email me and let me know! :)

Two weeks ago, we got our pictures taken at Baker Beach.  We're hoping one or two of them might work out for holiday cards this year, but it's hard to choose - there isn't one where we all look good, so how do we choose who to make look goofy?

A Busy Weekend

On Saturday, the Salvateenies celebrated their 13-month birthday (I am told we can keep counting in months until they turn two...).  Little did they know what a very full weekend they had ahead of them!

On Saturday, we all headed out to AT&T Park for the Giants Employee Party.  We were late arriving, but we were able to set up a little picnic near first base (or what would have been first base during the baseball season - since the field is currently home to Cal football, we were about mid-field on the 5 yard line).

Max showing off his Giants socks

Caroline is pointing out there is a roast beef sandwich next to her

Going for a bigger part of the sandwich, she still won't let go of her chocolate milk!

Look how happy she is now that she has a whole sandwich roll!

But there's still more sandwich to covet!

Max's first garlic fry

Get it in there!

Daniel tries a fry himself

It may not look like it here, but the garlic fries were a big hit

First taste of watermelon

I think he liked it...

Caroline's first taste of tomatoes - not sure she liked it

Daniel stretches for more garlic fries

Got it!

Yummm

Max offers to share his watermelon...

...with the pretty girls, obviously

Caroline's hair is SO curly in back!

Daniel's digging in to get some more garlic

He thinks it's finger-licking good!

Playing patty cake with the girls

She is not a cleean eater

Proving boys can make weapons out of anything:

Watermelon rind becomes a slingshot

Watermelon rind becomes a gun

The breeze felt good

"Aaahhh"

Max's Frankenstein impression

"Let's play ball!"

I think she might be ready for apples!

Off for a crawl on the grass

Uncle Kelly took a break to play a little football

Daniel got a cuddle from Mallory

Max had a serious talk with Maureen

Caroline was yawning

So she grabbed for a can of hyphy energy drink - uh oh!

After the picnic was over, we drove back across town to meet our friend Kate at my alma mater, where part of the 75th anniversary celebration included a tour of the public art work on display in the halls and exterior of the building.

The babies were very well behaved, even if it doesn't look like it here

It was a long day, though, and they were tired

I couldn't pass up the chance to get a picture with them in front of the greatest high school campus view ANYWHERE

And as if that wasn't enough, on Sunday it was time for the 'teenies' friend Junior's 1st birthday party!

This is what Junior did when I told him to smile

Max loved the chips

...and the guacamole, which got a Max handprint in it

Daniel had his share of chips, too

Caroline and Junior's Aunty Sarah hit it off!

Daniel stole Cheerios from another little girl

Junior's cousin Neveah helped Caroline check out the sound system

Niveeta made sure Max's chin was clean

Junior was not nearly as messy as he could've been!

Caroline made up for it for him

Daniel enjoyed the cupcakes, too!

Max looks like he's burping, but Caroline's eying that empty cupcake liner and hoping for more!

Caroline is pointing out that she needs another cupcake

Oh well, goldfish crackers will have to do

Daniel's not complaining

Hanging out with the birthday boy

Somehow Caroline got ahold of Sam's camera

which she thought was really yummy

And then, all of a sudden, she was up on the present table!

And getting ready to dance!

And here are the mommies - congratulations on a great year, Sam!