Halloween Preview

We had a Halloween party for church & these are a few pictures I got before we left..... (they weren't being the best children up until we left. We almost didn't get to go to the party).

                                  Our little penguin (she says "duck")

                   The peacock- she picked out this costume & LOVES it. Not Mark's favorite =(

 All three 'P' costumes. The Panda costume was inherited from a neighbor. Paige wanted to be princess Tiana, and not the Panda. Once she tried it on she didn't want to take it off. Claire wanted to be a dalmation puppy, but when we went to buy her costume they didn't have her size. She saw the peacock  costume & fell in love. Should have tried harder to encourage another option. We borrowed Reese's costume from my good friend Crystal (thank you).  - and there's the head tilt again. HAHA- love it!

Pumpkin Train

Things have been crazy since school started (no blogging as a result). Here are some recent pictures of the girls and a few updates on our family.


We went on a train ride to a "pumpkin patch" this year. We thought it would be a fun family outing. Very adventurous on our part. Mark's mom came, and so did his brother's family. Let's start off by saying we have forever been spoiled by our numerous trips to Disneyland. The atmosphere, the trains there- so clean & shiny and the decorations are SO festive and fun.
This train could use some sprucing up. The other passengers were definitely questionable- maybe riding on the only car that was serving alcohol should have been a red flag. The weather was cold with rain drizzling so we couldn't sit in the open cars (which would've been so much fun). The train rides along the river up the mountain side. It was beautiful although a little cloudy & wet.

Not sure where the "head tilt" came from , but it will be in almost every picture from now on- future post warning. 

Our biggest photo challenge- "just look at the camera!" PLEASE! If they are looking- their eyes are in a different direction. 

Yep... I was actually there. Proof in this pic taken by Paige. 

Dustin & Brooke (questionable passengers in the background)

Jacob, Grammy & sleeping baby Kate

The "pumpkin patch" through raindrops on the window. Not really my idea of a pumpkin patch. More like an open area with pumpkins of various sizes all around. Hoping for a more traditional go & pick your pumpkin- like off the vine? Just call my Clark Griswold. I know I have high expectations when it comes to the holidays.  

Paige has two loose teeth. We thought for sure one was ready to come out (as obvious by the following pictures). Mark was extremely patient & so was Paige. Not ready yet.... will post toothless pics when it happens. 

Our sweet little Reese wants in on all the action. She found Claire's backpack & struck a pose.....

Paige didn't want to be left out either

There's her face- minus her thumb.

More recent pictures of Reese

Yep- there's a bruise on her forehead and one on each cheek. 

 

Her hair is long enough for pigtails, but still short in front. She has that mullet look most of the time. She is talking like CRAZY. My favorite new thing she says- "your welcome" when you hand her something instead of "thank you". It's cute- although she can say that too. 

If you ask her where Daddy is- "he's work"

Any picture of a baby "baby, cute"

Least favorite thing she says "a want that" for "I want that" and it's usually something she doesn't need or shouldn't have =)

Claire's a preschooler!

Clear back in September, Claire started preschool. Here a a few pictures. Since Paige has afternoon kindergarten & we were still use to our summer schedule of sleeping in.... being ready to go by 9:00 can be a challenge. (it's tons easier now). The weather was actually pretty cool in the morning & Claire was upset that I made her wear jeans. So.... hence the tears. LOL- didn't want to forget =) She was really excited about preschool, especially since Paige had already started kindergarten the week before.

"But I don't want to wear jeans"

Feeling cheesy. but no longer crying!

Not the best or most flattering picture- BUT they were all happy & actually wanted to be in this picture together (don't worry- Paige didn't go to school looking like that. Remember it was almost 9:00. We still had 3 hours until kindergarten. )

Quick trip to the zoo

After the excitement of having family in town for two weeks, we found ourselves needing something do to do. Summer was almost over. Mark was out of town & us girls ventured off. We tried a new place called Bounce! that the girls loved. Sorry- no pictures. I had to keep an eye on everyone going in different directions. Like I said, the girls loved it. I was tired.....

Later that week we went to the zoo with some friends of ours. We did spot some flying pigs there (haha).... I should've taken a picture since I actually had my camera AND TOOK PICTURES. Crazy, I know. So here they are-

This was a giant nest for the kids to sit in- Our friends Austin & Palin

Do we have to take another picture? 

Reese's attempt to say "cheese"- this cracks me up!

Thanks for the roadtrip!

The ONLY picture of all 6 kids at the same time =)
They all played together so good & seemed to have fun being with each other again. It made me happy & miss my little nephews!

Grama knows how to keep them busy..... STICKERS!

My Mom & sister drove up with her 3 boys to visit. It was their first drive up here (and hopefully not the last???) It is a LONG drive with little kids. The cousins were SOOOOOOO excited to see each other. It was so cute. Paige immediately was giving the boys the tour of the house, making sure they knew where all they toys were and the blow up beds where they'd be sleeping.
I only took a few pictures, but thankfully Melissa & my Mom had their cameras ready. Six kids under the age of 5 1/2 can be tricky- nap times, meals & just getting out of the house is an adventure. It was awesome to have my Mom here and to have Grandma's extra set of hands. She appropriately spoiled the girls & we are ever appreciative for that (and my Dad too for letting her come & letting her spoil =))
Claire & Dylan (both 3) are crazy good at puzzles. We have pictures of them & their very serious accomplishments.

Poor Dylan had an ear infection & strep! I love this picture- he reminds me of Linus from Peanuts

So proud & SO CHEESY!

Our crazy adventure at Red Robin.....

Love that Aunt Renee wanted to hang out with all those kids!

We didn't manage to take pictures of everyone swimming at the pool or our adventures at the mall & outlet for some much needed school shopping (thanks again Mom for that). Luckily the camera's were out at Red Robin- the only pictures the adults are in.

Thanks Mom & Melis for making the drive. I'm so happy you came to see us. We're thinking a kidless rendezvous might be our next adventure- LOVE YA TONS!

Josh & Krista came up to visit

My little brother Josh & his wife Krista came up to visit for the weekend. They were here just a few days after my Mom, sister & her boys were here (posting those pics soon). It was SO fun to hang out with them! The girls loved hanging out with them too. They couldn't wait for Aunt Krista to come & visit.

I was taking the pictures & managed to get in a picture with both brothers, but don't have it on my camera. I'll have to post it once I can get it.

We had awesome pool weather & lucked out to have the pool to ourselves for a little while on Friday & Saturday. Sunday we grilled up Carne Asada with all the sides that make it amazing- guac, salsa & Juanita's Chips, rice & beans.  Thanks babe for a yummy dinner =)

 It's weird to be together with some family, but not everyone at the same time. So glad Josh & Krista could visit and that Nick & Renee are here all the time. Thanks for playing with our kiddos =) They love ya! (and of course we do too!)

Back to School

Paige is officially in kindergarten! She was so excited about it & had no concerns about saying "goodbye". I can't wait to hear all about her first day. Crazy that she's in kindergarten already. I'm excited for her & know she'll have SO much fun being a big girl at school. Here are a couple pictures    of her first day of school!

                                                          

Ready for Kindergarten!