All Dressed Up...

Well, our family once again got all dolled up to head out for a night of candy. And might I add...lots, and lots, and lots of candy. The kids don't particularly get into the spooky side of this day, in fact Jack refers to it as Reformation Day....which is perfectly fine with me!! However, this day is also Grandma Carole's birthday which is reason enough for celebration. This year she threw a big party with lots of goodies, crafts, and a handpainted mural for a great photo shot!! After we spend well over an hour driving the kids to all the family around town for goodies and pictures, we headed over to G. Carole's to wish her a happy birthday...and of course to show off our adorable children!!! Mommy and Daddy even got into the spirit of things this year (Grandma said we had to dress up!) and I have to admit that it was pretty fun. Daddy really enjoyed looking like...well frankly....a goofball! After Grandma's it was home once again to hit out neighbors up for some candy. It should be illegal to have this much chocolate in one house....I hope I can show some restraint!

Please enjoy this picture of my dear husband.....I'm so proud!

Big Smiles!

I know this pictures isn't perfectly clear, but check out that grin!! Daddy really had Esme' going this morning, but poor Mommy couldn't get a good shot. Oh well, at least you get the picture!!!

Beautiful Blue Eyes

Seriously, is she the most beautiful blued eyed little girl you've ever seen? Well, I think she is! Now, if she would only smile for the camera and show off her little dimples!! Sweet little Esme' is almost 2 months old now and is fitting in just perfectly to our little (BIG) family...we love her so!

"NO....I don't want to!!!"

Does it make me a bad mom because I think this picture is HILARIOUS?!?! My sweet Tessa is so funny and sweet...but she does have a little stubborn streak that frankly I find HILARIOUS. Whenever my dear little one decides that she doesn't necessarily want to do as Mommy says, she crosses her arms in front of herself, very adamantly. It is so funny to watch, however I don't think that she appreciates the giggles from the peanut gallery!! Often times, after she has shown her defiance (with the crossing of the arms) she marches over to a corner and just stands there. I guess if she wants to put herself in timeout than she can. Oh...this sweet fourth child of mine, she even makes me laugh when she's trying to be naughty.

A Day on the Trails

This past Saturday we were finally able to head out to St. John's for our annual walk to the chapel. It has been so rainy and cold that I feared this day would not come this year. Plus, Daddy is so swamped with homework that it is difficult to convince him to leave the house on the weekends. But, we finally made it...and wouldn't you know that my camera battery died before we even made it to the trails!! This is the only picture I got. Right when we parked, the kids were off into the woods. They found an old water tower which looked alot like an old castle. Unfortunately the kids didn't get a chance to pose before my camera died, so we are missing a few in this shot:(

After Mommy dried her tears at the lost memories (in print anyway) we were off to "hit the trails." This is one of my absolute favorite things that we traditionally do as a family. I can remember since I was a little girl, I always loved hiking through the woods. I even have a few memories where I would go hunting some sort of bird with my Dad just to walk through the woods. Did I enjoy hunting? NO! But I did love the woods in the fall, there isn't much on this earth that can compare. The crisp air, crisp leaves, and the tranquility of it all practically makes me giddy. So....my family has now become a bunch of hikers because "Mommy Said So!" Seriously though, the kids all enjoy it a ton. They love exploring the woods, trying to find the best walking stick.

So, until next year when we head out to St. John's again.....happy fall!!!

Let's Take a Ride

Okay, so this isn't the greatest picture of my precious Esme', but for some reason she always either has her mouth open, tongue out, or is contorting her face in some odd fashion. So...post with this face I must!!
Mommy pulled out her front carrier today to carry little Emmylu (that's her nickname, get it.... Esme' Lucille = Emmylu:) around the house this morning. I was actually quite surprised at how well she did. She was in it for most of the morning, since we can't lay her on the floor for fear of an over-love by big sis Tessa!! Anyway, she held her head up great and enjoyed the scenery.
By the way, what do you think of my blue eyed little angel. I think she may be reddish haired to go along with it. What's up with that? I mean, how in the world did two brown-eyed brunettes create not one, but two blue-eyed children...one blond and one potentially red-headed? DNA is weird like that I guess....keeps us guessing;)

Daddy's birthday

This past weekend we were blessed to celebrate another one of Daddy's birthdays. Around here, birthdays are always reserved for the whole family to get to do something out of the ordinary. Today was no exception! It all started with Mommy and the boys participating in their school's annual walk-a-thon to raise money for their playground! After a great, yet chilly walk, we headed home to get started preparing Daddy's birthday cake. We usually leave the preparation of Daddy's cake up to the Dairy Queen. However, this year Mommy and the kids thought they would attempt their first "Ace of Cakes" cake...complete with fondant frosting and cut-out appliques! We first baked the cake, let it cool, then stacked it up. I honestly don't think I have ever made a birthday cake in layers before. I usually take the short-cut route by making it in a 9 by 13 pan...what can I say, I'm a busy lady! Anyway...today we did it the "real" way. After it was stacked and had on a "crumb coat" (that's cake talk by the way:) we got started on the frosting. It was actually a ton of fun to add the color, roll it out, and cover the cake just like we see on TV. The kids were so impressed, they said I could sell it for at least $100.00....aren't they sweet!

After the cake was done, we all piled in the van to head out to dinner. We usually go out for Mommy and Daddy's birthday for a special treat! After our delicious supper was done, we headed home for cake. It was SO GOOD!!! Michael even thought it was better than my birthday cake, which came from a bakery and cost about 4 times as much!!!

So....it was another great birthday for Daddy...and Mommy's thinking about starting a bakery. Well, maybe not really, but it was a lot of fun to make that cake. The kids have already put in their orders for their birthday cakes. Ace of Cakes....WATCH OUT!!!

The Photo Shoot!

Does this post really need an explanation....aren't they precious....I know I am bias, but come on!