Halloween 2011

We survived Halloween!  Ha!

Today I was invited to help with Lilly's Halloween party at school.  Her class is wonderful and her teacher is sweet.  I was very impressed with the kids' behavior on such an exciting day!  Lilly dressed as 'Barbie Fairy Secret Princess' for her party.  That was her first costume of the day...

Lilly with her teacher, Ms. Francolino.

  The Barbie costume gave Lilly a rash on her arm so she moved on to costume #2 which was a 'Fairy Princess' outfit which was my favorite.  Ella was also a 'Fairy Princess' and was so very excited to dress up like her sister.  After school we went out frantically looking for a way to make the boys' hats for their costume and then went back to Bret Harte for Lilly's school parade.

 

 Today was a beautiful fall day.  We walked to school for the parade.

 Ella waited with her friend Stephen.  Stephen's dad is a police officer.  They are too adorable together.

 "Hi Lilly!!!!!"

 Andy was kind enough to take the day off so I could go to Lilly's Halloween party and the parade while the boys napped. 

Me and my girls.

 After the parade I went home to try to make the boys' hats.  Nothing like last minute costume making...

 My babies.  

Fairy Mickey Princess (costume change #3), Fairy Light Up Princess, Thing 1 and Thing 2.

 Baby boy (Thing 2/Baby B) walked yesterday!  

Here he is standing like a big boy.

 My sweet baby boys.  They kept their hats on for 3 hours.

 Our family trick-or-treating with our friends the Longos.  

Nine kids between us...

 Me and my friend Stephanie.

 Luke walked up to a few houses.  He was adorable. He carried his pumpkin bucket and grabbed his blanket out of the back of the stroller.  He was so proud to get his candy.

 Two thirds of my boys.  This melts my heart.

Gabe wasn't feeling well tonight.  I love this picture because he is smiling.  He loves the dog.  Sweet baby boys and little precious Ella.  Lilly was ahead collecting more candy!

We had a terrific full day.  Happy Halloween!

Happy Hallow's Eve

Music To My Ears

The boys spend most of their time together (except when sleeping).
They play together...

 They bang together...

 They sing together...

They look at Momma together...

Too cute to not share...

 They make music together...

 They jam together...

Gabe plays the piano while Luke dances.  Luke loves to dance.

Twins are awesome.

My Favorite Season

 The addition is almost complete.
Fall is in the air.
Candles are lit.
We planted our mums.

Life is good!

I love my little helpers!

 Lilly planted some Lillies and did a great job!  She did it all alone and they bloomed a beautiful yellow.

 Halloween is right around the corner and I do not have costumes ready for the boys.  The painters are here as I type.  The babies are on the move.  The girls are growing up on me.  There may be a four-legged family member in our future.  We're busy but we're happy.  Who could ask for anything more?

Pumpkin Patch!

It's my favorite time of year.  I love fall.  I love going to the pumpkin patch as well but leaving my camera at home would make it so much more enjoyable.  But how can I go and not take pictures!?  The stress of getting a family picture dampens my mood so I try to get it right away so I can put the camera away.

This year we tried a new farm.  We went to Stellwag's Hidden Acre Farm.  It was really enjoyable!  There were only a few families there.  It costs $5 a person for the hayride and that includes a pumpkin for each person, and you can walk through nature trails, a rose garden, and view many animals FREE of charge. 

Waiting on the hayride...

There were a few pictures where Ella was smiling and looking at the camera but no one else was! Poor Ella.  She always looks like she's not looking in the picture I choose but really, she just got sick of waiting for the others to cooperate!!

 The adult rule in our family (ANDY) is that the adult looks pretty and smiles the whole time I'm trying to get a good shot so that all I have to worry about are the children...

 The obligatory family shot.  Yikes.

 The hayride was long and went through the woods.  It was really nice and peaceful.  We arrived at a fenced in pumpkin patch with perfect sized pumpkins for our little ones!

 Gabe hung out the whole time in one spot.  He was happy to hang with the pumpkins!

 My sweet babies...

 Lilly took our picture!

This shot was not staged!  The kids ran over to look at the sheep!

My baby boys.

 After the hayride the kids were off to see the donkey they'd spotted from the wagon.

We had a great time and we now have six perfect pumpkins sitting on our front porch.  Next week Lilly's going to the pumpkin patch at our usual farm for a class field trip.  I love fall!