Thankful for.......

These two adorable souls entrusted to my care . . . .



























. . . and that He is sending another for us to love!

Halloween

Halloween Night

(Mulan and MooShoo)

These two are quite the little trick or treaters. Of course, Katie remembered the ropes from last year and she was very helpful in "teaching" Joey. They loved it. In between each house we would try to carry him so he wouldn't trip in the dark. This was certainly cramping his trick or treating and he let us know. All in all we made out with a haul (we're still eating candy now.)

The kids also loved to play a game that a ghost lived in our closet. Joey was absolutely terrified of the ghost and if Todd left the closet door open in morning when he left Joey would go nuts!! "Mama, ghost, daddy, no ghost." We would have to shut the door and say no ghost, ghost bye bye. Then he would be totally fine. Some morning he would even want to say hi to the ghost and wouldn't be scared at all. Such a nut!

Katie's Preschool Program

This girl loves to sing and she is mighty good at it! I love how excited she was to parade around the room in her costume. She's still so thrilled that mom is there to watch her. I'm trying to enjoy it as long as possible because I know it won't always be this way.

I also got to help out with her preschool Halloween party. It was so much fun! This parenting thing really is a lot of FUN!


































Gardner Village Witches

Katie and Joey loved the witches!!!

Joey was so excited when he would find a witch! Katie was "tour guiding" as usual.

We love the witches!!

San Diego

The first of October we were able to take a vacation to southern California with my family. It was certainly a fun filled week. The kids were passed out every night within a minute of their heads hitting the pillow. I think we were equally as exhausted!

Joey and Katie had a ball at the beach until Joey spotted the seaweed. He was absolutely convinced they were snakes out to bite him.








Since the invention of the car DVD player I'm sure family vacations have become much more pleasant for all parties involved. At least that was the case for us! I suppose I should be slightly disturbed by Katie's face, but it certainly made our drive very pleasant. The only downside...whenever she asked a question she would scream at us because of her headphones.

And seriously, it should be against the law to travel with this much random crap attached to your car. This guy is seriously trapped in his car and he has officially kept the Saran Wrap people in business!








SAN DIEGO ZOO



I think the zoo was one of our favorites from the trip. There were very few people and the animals were extremely playful with the cool weather. Katie was absolutely fascinated by all the snakes. We even had to go and see them again before we left in the evening.






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This chimp was hilarious. He kept flirting with Katie and then he would act like he was mad at her by turning around and ignoring her. Then he would flirt some more. She loved it. Of course, once the chimp was near the glass Joey was terrified and kept saying "Bye bye monkey, bye bye!"


SEA WORLD

The kids loved Sea World! The shows were awesome because they were only 20 minutes long. Just perfect for restless excited children. Katie went on her first real roller coaster ride and was terrified and hooked. She went on it four more times. When I went through she kept reminding me not to be scared as she would snuggle in tighter to me. I loved it!

Katie thought feeding the rays was awesome! She said it felt like a vacuum sucking on her hand when it would take the fish.












Joey was aboslutely fascinated by the acquariums. He loved seeing "Nemo, tootles (turtles) and whales!

HUNTINGTON BEACH

On our way up to Disneyland we stopped in Huntington Beach for some lunch. Todd had some fish tacos from one of his favorite places while he lived there. Then it was off to the beach. Katie fell in the water fully clothed and Joey was terrified of the seagulls. If I wasn't holding him and a gull was within 10 feet he was screaming and crying. I don't know what it is with him and living things. He is terrified!!! So to top off a soaking wet daughter and a crying toddler we got a parking ticket. Apparently, we can't count and we parked during a week parking wasn't allowed. Seriously, why do people make it so hard. I shouldn't have to think that hard to park. The sign said, "No parking Mondays and Wednesdays the first and third weeks of the month." SERIOUSLY!!! We were sure it was the second week along with the five other people parked there with tickets! Stupid city!

DISNEYLAND

I don't think I've ever seen this little girl more excited in my entire life. Disneyland was made for her. She was in heaven.

We started our adventure in Adventureland on the jungle cruise and then headed for Pirates. They've upgraded that ride a lot since I was last there. Katie was terrified. Apparently, she thought the people were real and shooting at her. She was just shaking with fright next to us in the boat. Joey of course was completely clueless and yet totally enthralled. We had to have a long discussion about how all the rides in Disneyland have robots. Nothing is real. She still wasn't entirely convinced. When we went on Peter Pan she peeked through covered eyes the entire time.

By day two she was finally beginning to believe us. After all this we decided it was probably best not to take her in the Haunted Mansion. She begged and begged. We finally gave in. I took her in and she was crying before we even got on the ride. By the end she had recovered and wanted to go again.

Joey was absolutely terrified of Mickey Mouse. He wouldn't even let me hold him on the side Mickey was standing on. He kept saying, "No mouse, bye bye." When we finally left he said, "Thank you mama!" I couldn't stop laughing. It was so stinkin' cute! Poor kid.
Who new the kid loved ribs!! We had to pry the bone from his hands to leave.

Katie's face on about every ride. I think this was actually Small World. She was practically incoherent on all the rides, totally mesmerized!








Joey's favorite ride was definitely Winnie the Pooh with Nemo as a very close second. He loved it. He just kept saying, "Pooh, geen (again)."

Katie was dying to meet the "princesses." So we stood in the hour line hoping her favorites would be there when it was our turn. Apparently, there are only three at a time and they rotate every half hour. Fortunately, our turn was right during the change over and we happened to luck out and meet 4 princesses. And Mulan was there. SCORE!!!! This is probably the most shy I have ever seen Katie in my life. She would hardly talk. Usually I can't get her to stop talking.

Attempting a picture in front of the castle at night with 8 billion people around.

It was definitely an awesome trip. I'm so glad we were able to share it with my family. They really are the best. Thank you so much!

Katie has asked almost every day when we will be going back. She still can't decide what her favorite ride is. It generally consists of half the park.

Joey has been in love with Mickey Mouse since we got home---go figure.

(*I have to admit I loved the Buzz Lightyear ride. It's Sweet. Todd's favorite was the California Screamin' coaster. It was pretty awesome. The 0-60 in a seconds was a serious rush!)

Fancy Nancy Style Birthday Party

Here is my extremely FANCY five year old!!!

Katie's party was more than a month ago, but somehow I'm just getting around to documenting it. I should have waited to have her first party until this age. It was so much fun!

Katie and I had such a fun time planning it and making all the favors and decorations. Everything was patterned as closely after the books as possible, per Katie's request, of course. There were several statements during the planning that consisted of "Fancy Nancy does it this way or Fancy Nancy likes this." These statements were made with the most fancy French accent Katie could possibly come up with. It really was quite hilarious. That girl cracks me up!

We had a Fancy Nancy tea party with all of the important Fancy Nancy style touches. There were butterfly jelly sandwiches with fuchsia lemonade followed by parfaits. During the tea party we had French music playing and read a Fancy Nancy story. We played musical chairs, pin the tail on Frenchy and made macaroni necklaces.

Everyone received a fancy purple bag full of very fancy accessories, plumes and glitter notebooks, lotion and bubble bath.

I have to say I had a ball planning this party. I still can't believe I have a five year old!

Fall Family Mini Sessions

I'm offering family mini sessions this year.

If you're interested go

here

for more information!

Ballet

My beautiful little ballerina!
I have never seen a little girl more excited in my life. She seriously starts counting down the days to dance the second she leaves her lesson. I love that she has no idea how to pronouce all the French ballet terms. I wish I could remember some of "her terms" to describe certain ballet moves. This brain just ain't what it used to be! If I don't write it down immediately it's gone.

First day of Preschool

Katie had her first day of preschool a few weeks ago. She was so excited to go back to preschool. It has been really hard for her to watch friends from her Primary class at church go to Kindergarten. She knows she is the same "age" as them and just didn't understand why it wasn't her turn. So it's been very nice for her to have something to look forward to each week. She still asks every few days if she can go to Kindergarten now that she's five. And she is still just as devestated when the answer remains the same. Poor girl! At least she's thrilled with preschool when she's there!