Halloween

Per tradition we started our Halloween with (free) Scary Face Pancakes at IHOP, (before school started). 

After school we went to the Martins for a Halloween party. We had Mummy Dogs, and Halloween Bingo and got all dressed in our Halloween costumes. 

Then we did our first trick or treating at the Martin's door and then we headed home with Uncle Joe to join us. 

Shea was ready to take everyone out trick or treating and off they went. 

While I did door duty, which is way funner when you have a baby or someone with you to do it with.

(Favorite scene from the night was a little girl dressed as a robber who acted out a whole thing about the cops being after her and running off and then moments later her Mom and little brother dressed as cops came along calling after her... it made my night!) 

I must say the turn out was not as good as last year but it was fun!

When everyone got home I had our Halloween sleepover ready to start. So after changing into PJs and having their candy checked and saying goodbye to Joe. We got snuggled up for our annual viewing of Hocus Pocus.

Happy Halloween from our Fairy tale crew!

2017

Connor: Evil Wizard
Piper: Flower Fairy who hates her wings
Sydney: Princess
Bella: Queen

Picking VS Carving

There is nothing that screams Fall more than pumpkin picking. Even though summer is clinging on for dear life with these warm temps, we're finally getting into the Fall spirit around here.

The day after Bella's birthday we made our annual trip with the Martins to Mayne's Pumpkin Patch.

 

Piper wasn't a fan of pumpkins much this year
the picking or the carving. It was all a little too
hot and she couldn't walk too great in the tangly
vined field for the picking and the carving was
a slimey mess that she hated not being a part of
but also hated being a part of.
AKA Pumpkins aint this girls thing. 

Pumpkin picking is grande but the real work comes in when it is time to carve. 

Just a few days before Halloween we set out on our carving. I HATE PUMPKIN CARVING! 

Every year I say lets get one pumpkin or maybe 2, Daddy can carve and Mommy will do the seeds. 

Every year Shea gives in with all the kids pleading and we get more and then I end up carving too. 

Connor and Bella were determined this year to do it all on their own. 

For the most part Connor and Bella did great, it was truly quite the goal they had set. So Shea and I helped under the condition that next year we just get a boys and a girls pumpkin and they can do as much as they want and then Daddy can help finish. But we will see if that actually happens or not. Shea got pretty tired this year, and even he who loves the carving was ready to call it quits. 

They turned out great though and it is always such fun to see them lit up at night!

Pink and Glitter turns 6

With glitter and pink, Bella started her sixth year off right! She had the whole day planned out (she starts planning in April and everything just builds from there, she hates waiting so long in the year for her birthday compared to everyone else in our family). We did our best to check off everything on her list though. Bella is the sweetest girl in the whole wide world, her helpful heart makes me want a million Bellas and we wanted to show her just how grateful we are.

She started the day off with a brand new glitter skirt and donut holes.

Then the Park.

Showing off her monkey bar skills
is her absolute FAVORITE!

We even played restaurant.

 We had everyone over for games.

Then we played restaurant in the basement, with Mommy she insisted. 

She had a dance performance of course.

 Then it was time for presents and cards!

Amberlee's homemade Pop up,Giant Birthday Card
stole the show; listing 6 activities she would do
with her in the next few weeks. 

Mom and Dad got her a coveted BIKE, which
she had been asking for for a good while.

 Instead of having a party with friends she wanted a family party so she could go to MIYAKO, a Japanese Steakhouse.

Then we came home for cake with everyone and a movie.

It was a special day celebrating our Bella. We really do feel so lucky to have her sweet personality in our lives even if it turns sassy every now and then!

Happy Birthday Bella!