Happy Halloween!

As you can see by Troy's crazy face, that we have a lot of fun around Halloween. Daddy worked hard to carve a scary jack-o-lantern after we helped pull out all the pumpkin "guts." With a Magical Witch and a Flower Fairy in the house, we had a beautiful little trick-or-treaters. The Giorgis's came over to trick-or-treat with us. Kimball had so much fun with the girls.

Our Flower Fairy

Our Magical Witch

Lucky me! I got to be the mummy for the toilet paper race at Braedyn's Kindergarten Halloween party. Our group couldn't quite get the wrapping technique down. We lost by a long shot.

Braedyn's best little buddy, Rachel. They are quite the pair at school.

Both girls got sick the week before Halloween. Braedyn missed the whole week of school. We had to find a lot of creative ways to stay entertained, all stuck in the house together. Painting pumpkins was a fun afternoon.

Vala's Pumpkin Patch

Vala's Pumpkin Patch is my favorite fall tradition. From pumpkins, to kettle corn (yum!) to train rides, there are so many fun things to the place. The place is sure random with a "bunny village" and life-size storybook houses, but it is sure fun. This year we went with Brittney's preschool group - yeah for the discounted rate. We brought my nephew, Daniel, along. My friend, Sheri, and her cute boys and my sister, Alex, and my cousin, Dominique, came too. In spite of the cold, it was a great day.

The kids were laughing it up on the train ride.

Alex made friends with Joe, the camel. He kept walking by her.

Alex and Dominque cuddling up with Brittney on the giant rocking chair.

We finally warmed up after some hot chocolate.

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere.

Sheri and I had fun shuffling our kids all over this muddy place.

They have so many random would cut-outs all over the place. I love this one most.

Brittney was so cold, she pretty much stopped moving completely. I had to carry her for a good while until we got her some hot chocolate.

Preschool

For preschool for Brittney this year, I joined a Mom's group. We rotate teaching each week at our own houses. With six kids in the class, I end up teaching every six weeks. It's fun for Brittney and works out great for me.

Brittney couldn't wait to get on her backpack and go to school just like Braedyn. She talked about it all the way there. When we got out of the car at Keresa Walker's house she said "Mom, this isn't school." I convinced her it was and in she went. However, when I picked her up she said "Mom, now can we go to school?" There was no foolin' this kid. She new what school looked liked. She has accepted these domestic dwellings as her preschool location each week and now cheerfully goes in. She loves all her little friends and is always excited for school.

My little ham.

Kindergarten

Pink backpack. Check. Matching attachable lunchbox. Check. New Silver ballet flats. Check. Pink butterfly dress. Check. Bright smile. Check. Teary-eyed mom. Ok, Check.

Braedyn was so excited for her first day of Kindergarten. She marched right in with Mommy, Daddy, and Brittney right behind her. She sat down at her new desk, started coloring her worksheet and said "Bye Mom" with an enormous grin. I held it together just fine until we walked out and Troy said, "your going to cry, aren't you?" I got a little teary-eyed when I said "No" but I did pretty well.

Braedyn and our neighbor, Brenna. They ride the bus together every day.

This is the excited smile I was telling you about.

My beautiful Kindergartener.

Summer Fun

Running through the sprinklers, splashing in the pool, squirting water toys, popsicles for snack. Isn't that what summer is about? I have loved summertime with my girls.

We have had Daniel hanging out with us a lot of the time. These three cousins have so much fun together.

Preschool Graduation

I can't believe my Braedyn graduated from preschool. She had a great year at Imagine and Explore Preschool. We were so proud of her at her graduation. She sang every song, smiling so big in her blue cap. She is so ready for kindergarten...too bad I'm not.

Her she, is standing next to her friend Malorie. They had a lot of fun together.

She even got a little diploma.

Miss Heather is a wonderful teacher. She made it a special year for the kids.

Three-year old Princess

Here she is...my little 3-year old. Brittney's birthday was on Easter Sunday. (Yeah I am just finally doing a post about it). Our sweet Brittney is such a joy to us. Jumping, bouncing, climbing, giggling, teasing, dancing, singing, hugging, kissing... she teaches us how to live life like a happy little princess.

I made my first themed cake. An Easter Bunny cake for the special day. While it wasn't the most skill-required cake, it was sure cute when I was done. My mom came over and decorated the cake with the girls and me. We had a hard time keeping them from eating all the candies.

We celebrated her birthday with mine and Troy's family at Grandma Jill's house after Easter dinner. Here are the three little cousins waiting to dive into the cake.

Brittney was so excited about her new Princess nightgown, she had to put it on immediately.

Daddy's little girls on Easter morning. You can't see them very well, but their outfits matched. So cute!!