Costumes Galore!

 So the Halloween Weekend Extravaganza began on Friday, when Ellie got to wear a costume to school to participate in the Kindergarten's Alphafriend parade. She used a costume from a couple of years ago to be "Hattie Horse", and we threw in a little princess riding the horse, for good measure (an excuse to be what she really wanted! :)

 (That's Ms. Trotter, Ellie's teacher...love her reaction :) 

 Aurie's first time on a slide by herself...thank you McDonald's play center :)

 And then, we had a Halloween Party to attend on Saturday morning at our gym. They had activities for the kids- bounces, a hay ride, treats, coloring, games, etc. The girls had a lot of fun. Aurie even won the prize for most creative costume! (and I think, the cutest?) Could have just eaten up that cupcake! 

 Lia was a real stinker, and changed out of her chosen Belle costume, about four other times before we left the house. So, here is the result... 

 (Mommy's a bad girl for Halloween this year :)

 It was funny to watch the girls choose different things to do. I'm guessing part of it is their age, but I started to wonder if it was in part because of their personalities too. Lia was all about action...went from bounces to hula hoops, flitted about to the music, and then all over again. Ellie made her way through the stations, crafts and coloring. 

 Stuffing my face...mmmm...popcorn :)

And then there was the pumpkin carving today... 

 (with a few Halloween Peeps- who would have known- thrown in)

 And here are the ballerina trip decked out the enjoy some fun with the boys at a Halloween event at their church. 

 We ended up being some pretty dirty ballerinas!

 Lost the tutus somewhere along the way...easier to bounce :)

And now...there'll be tomorrow evening... candy, candy, and more candy :)

Catching Up..

As it has been, time's just flying' by. I was determined to post an update before our Halloween weekend, 'cause I know there'll be lots of fun pics to share. We've been our usual busy with a bit of fun and a lot of craziness thrown in. A visit to the Children's Museum on Ellie's Fall Break from school was a highlight- Aurie's first time while walking and she had a blast. The kitties have also been a highlight lately at the house. We wake up with them waiting for a nibble at the back door, and come home to them usually waiting for us in the front yard. The girls just adore them. 

 The baby room was perfect for Aurie...she loved these buttons that produced different sounds. (Check out the adorable bottoms of her shoes in the next shot! Love those ones too, Nana!)

 Picking out beans from between fingers...loved digging through them, but didn't like getting them on our hands! 

 Loved that all three of them could really play this time...Lia and Aurie hitching a ride with big sister :)

 This big girl, Kindergartener grin melts me completely and makes me teary-eyed all at the same time. She's flashing this one more and more...my baby girl is getting so big! Sniff.....

Now that's worn out!

 Smiles with daddy at the ballpark for lunch.

 Everyone excited about a find in the mailbox...Halloween cards from Nana and Grandma! Thank you!

 I think the kitties love Aurie (and the girls) as much as they love them :)

 A girl and her kitty :)

Daddy took the girls one afternoon out for some fun, and stopped for a visit with Uncle Jeff at his restaurant...believe it or not, it's sushi!

 An impromptu backyard lunch picnic :)

Always nice when the weather turns beautiful as it finally has.

 Funny faces :)

 Checking out the kitties from daddy's office window...

 Love, love, love those edible legs! 

So, I couldn't resist getting a recent 'falling asleep while eating' video of Aurie. You feel almost guilty shooting it- poor thing with her head lolling :) What a mean mommy...but I couldn't resist! It was sooo funny :) (Especially the still eating part!)

 

And then there's the squeaker shoes. Oh Nana...I think these are the darn cutest things the girls have had. Been through all three of them now, she creates smiles everywhere she squeaks.