Happy Halloween!

We've done our fair share of trick-or-treating these past few years, but this was our first year experiencing a "big kid-style" Halloween evening. Instead of just heading out as a family of four, and hitting a few well-known neighbor's homes, it was a full-on celebratory event! We first trekked over to Skip & Connie's (our old next-door neighbors...now an annual tradition) and then headed to a chili-feed dinner with friends up the hill. The kids ran, squealed, ate, and played as the anticipation over the evening's festivities built to an ear-piercing volume.

After dinner, we hit the streets with our clan of kids (10 in all!) The parents tried desperately to keep up, as the kids (ranging in ages from 2-9) RAN from house to house, clamoring all over each other for the almighty candy. We finally made it to our house, just as Aubrey's little legs were about to give out (this was her first Halloween without a stroller for backup.) She was happy with her loot, and eager to warm her hands and rest her legs in the comfort of her jammies. :)

Soon after, cousin Keira stopped by to show off her costume, though she was none too excited about it. Such a sad little ladybug... Luckily, she cheered right up once the costume was off and she was enjoying smiles, tickles, and coos from her auntie and cousins. :)

Camryn was so tired by this point, that she did a quick sort of her candy, and then actually asked to go to bed, while Aubrey would have stacked, sorted, and rearranged her treats all night long (great, another OCD child!) We practically had to pry her candies out of her hands once we decided it finally time to enforce (a much belated) bedtime.

All in all, it was a FUN night. Tuesday morning, though? That was another story...

Halloween Preview

As per our tradition, I once again took the girls to the Fall Festival at Templeton this year. They were so eager to wear their costumes and get candy, that it really wasn't a question whether we'd go or not, once they found out about it!

This year, our friends, the Fryes joined us, and even with 3 adults in attendance, it was quite a chore to keep track of 5 kids amongst all of the candy-crazed chaos. It was so fun to share our tradition with them though, and we can't wait to join them again on Halloween!

Howdy, partner!

Rapunzel, in all her golden glory. :)

Our best attempt at getting all 5 kids in the same photo. Sad, isn't it?

Not amused...

I'll trade you...

Felicia drives the Mystery Machine!?

BFFs. :)

Shoe horse

Ever since she was tiny, Aubrey has always loved shoes. She will often raid my closet, or her sister's, (or even her Daddy's!) and try on any and all of our shoes. Tonight I finally received a pair of pumps I had ordered online a few weeks ago, and literally had them open for fewer than five minutes, when she had already stolen them away, and was prancing around my bathroom, bedroom, and closet in them.

As she watched her feet while she pranced around, she muttered, "Wow, dese are nice shoes! Dey are vewy pwetty!" And then she turned to me, very seriously and said, "You should get me some of dese!"

As I laughed out loud at her comment, I noticed the shirt she was wearing today. Which made me laugh even harder. Kind of appropriate, don't you think?

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Hay rides, a pumpkin hunt, kettle corn, face painting, climbing, jumping, sliding, and pumpkin bowling! What a fun, Fall, family day!!!

Sleepover!

Barbies, Polly Pockets, cookie baking, hide and seek, spaghetti, jumping on beds, running, squealing, shrieking, and finally...a movie. All with 3 little girls, while Brian was at work...

When's bedtime?

Just in time for picture day...

Check out that GAP! :)

My daughter, the genius

With first grade, comes homework for Camryn. And for Aubrey, this new nightly routine has brought out her competitive side. She wants more than anything to have "homework" of her very own. So we've practiced her letters and numbers, colored alphabet sheets, and completed simple counting games. And then, out of the blue, she busted this out. "Look, Mom! I wrote my name!" And she did. And it was decipherable. And just because she was on fire, she added a portrait of Rapunzel. (The yellow highlighter becomes somewhat difficult to see, but note the eyelashes.) My daughter, the genius. :)