Halloween 2011

I have to say, this year was one of the best Halloweens ever! I had fun, my kids had fun, we did so much to celebrate, and I finally dressed up for once! I was straight outta "Flashdance!"

The trick or treating in our neighborhood is pretty great so I was looking forward to staying here this year. We did a little photoshoot before the fun began.

This is the best group shot we could get:


But most of the attempts looked like this:

I had to post that one because Gunner's pose is priceless! I think he's done, don't you?

Race wore the viking costume this year. He looked just as awesome as Gunner did:







Gunner made the perfect Charlie Brown. What else could he be with that giant noggin of his? Maybe Megamind next year...

Here he is posing with his cousin Kam:


Ella was a rockstar. She wore this costume 2 Halloweens ago. It still fits!




Rex really wanted to be a zombie this year. This was a departure from his regular request which is super hero. Luckily, Aunt Shannon had a zombie costume she didn't need anymore. Dale did a great job on his makeup and Rex liked to act the part. I personally think the costume is gross but it made him happy and he would fit right in during a zombie apocalypse. So there you go.



Tabby decided she wanted to wear her cheer uniform from when she took cheer last winter. The uniform was big on her last year so it fit perfectly this year.





We were happy to have Uncle Scott and Aunt Tracy come and join us.
Kam was pretty incredible. =)

Cade won't be bothered with silly things like shoes. Superheros don't need 'em anyways.

Superheros are great at climbing trees too.




Miss Miranda made a darling Bat Girl:




We had a little party complete with mummy drinks and mummy dogs before we left:


As if we needed these cupcakes right before going out to get a ton of candy:

Wait.. Yes, yes we did.

Here is Gunner's first time trick or treating. Once he learned what people were going to put in his bucket when they opened their doors, it was ON!



Grandpa was an awesome mad scientist! He entertained the kids all night with his "experiments"


Here's us on getting started on tearing up the neighborhood!
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It was an awesome memorable Halloween and I'm sad my favorite holiday is over! Can't wait for next year!

Inching Along

Race has begun to crawl. I'm a bit surprised because Gunner and Rex took their sweet time to get moving but Race seems to be right on schedule. He hasn't perfected it yet. He moves kinda like an inchworm. But it gets him from A to B.

Papa's Headstone

Papa's headstone was finally put in and we went to see it today.

I thought it was going to make me super sad when I saw it but it didn't.

Dale and I have felt his presence since he has passed which has been a huge comfort to us. I feel like whenever I tell him that I love him and I miss him, he can hear me. That's why visiting his gravestone didn't feel like I was visiting Papa. He is not in the cemetery, he is a spirit and can dwell with his family and loved ones.

Still, it was a special moment and we felt it was important for the kids to see it.

He has such a nice headstone:


The kids WOULD NOT give me a nice pic!



We love you Papa!

Building Blocks

Every morning Gunner gets out his blocks and stacks them up, knocks them down, lines them up, whatever he can think of.

I love watching him play and this morning I was struck with the fact that things like this won't last forever which prompted me to capture it.

I love this boy.

Happy Half Birthday!

Today is Race's half birthday! He's 6 months old today. I could have sworn I just brought him home from the hospital last week but here we are, halfway to one year.

He is for sure my last baby and I'm trying to savor every moment of his babiness. Kinda hard to do when it's your 5th kid. I think the last one should grow extra slow, don't you?

Like all the others, he is a happy happy kiddo. He rolls and rolls and he tries so dang hard to scoot but just can't get the hang of it yet. He is very proud of his two toofies which he will happily use on your finger should he get a hold of it.

I took some pictures of the little Racer to commemorate his half birthday today.






You are very much loved my little baby boy!

Happy Birthday To My Little Ladybug!

On Saturday Ella got to have her first "friend" birthday party. When I asked her what she wanted as a theme she picked a ladybug theme. Ella gave me lots of ideas and I think she ended up having a pretty fun party! She got to invite all her friends and felt super special.

We got to take some pics before the tornado of 5 year olds hit the house. The calm before the storm.



Janice and Sally stayed up late to help me create this:


Place setting:


Bugs on the wall. I got the idea to do these from here.


Another adorable cake made by my sis, Magi.


Front Door. The idea came from here.


The birthday girl! She's five and dang proud of it!





Being a ham:


The kids got to make ladybugs and habitats for them. There was also a pinata and Just Dance on the Wii.


Opening gifts:


Blowing out the candles with Miranda's help:


You are very much loved my sweet hilarious little Ellabug! Happy birthday!

First Day Of School 2011

I did it! I made it through the summer! Phew!

I will miss my kids while they are at school but let's just say I'm glad they are there!

We took some pics before we rushed out the door.

Tabby who is a THIRD GRADER!!! Amazing. What a cutie!


Rex who is excited to be in first grade. Stud!


And Ella Rose. My cute little kindergartner!


My attempt at a group shot. This was the least chaotic pose they gave me.


My big kids ran off with out a second thought to their classes and I barely got to smooch them but I did get to go into Ella's class with her and help her hang her backpack and find her desk.



I will miss my little Ella a bit. I'm used to Tabby and Rex being at school but last year she was my little sidekick while the "big kids" were away. Now she's one of them.

So I guess I have an open spot for a new side kick. I think I know who will fill it...