Barnyard Boo!

We continued our Halloween celebrations at Thanksgiving Point during Barnyard Boo! Once again, we joined Nikki, Eric and Liv for a fun day out of the house. Annabelle insisted on wearing her "Schoo clothes," which is pretty funny considering she doesn't go to school :)

We enjoyed each other's company and enjoyed watching Liv and Annabelle play in the little jail, frost a cookie, get their faces painted and go on a few pony rides. It's so nice to see how much simple activities can make them smile and have fun. We're so grateful for family and fun times together!

"Don't be scared Annabelle! It's not real see?"

"Mmmmmmmm"

Enjoying the simple things in life

A wonderful afternoon!

Halloween Fun with Friends

This year Josh and I decided to get a few of our friends together for a fun pumpkin carving party. The kids had a BLAST painting little pumpkins, watching "How to Train Your Dragon," chasing each other around, and screaming...yes...LOTS of screaming! This little group of kids have SO much fun together, and get SO excited to play and run around. I LOVE it! I was just happy we rented the clubhouse so they could run and play to their heart's content without breaking anything :) Between our 4 families, we have 7 children under age 5! Needless to say it gets a little crazy at times, but it's a joyful crazy! And it beats having to get a babysitter! Why get a babysitter when the kids are such great friends and want to get together as much as you do right? :)

Baby Stock had a hard time settling because of all the noise, so Josh and I took turns holding him in the next room. It's an interesting dilemma I sometimes face with 2 kids: Annabelle is having the time of her life, beaming with excitement and joy, screaming with delight, yet Baby Stocky is restless, fussy and overstimulated because of the noise. It's so tough! I can't bring myself to break-up such innocent, happy, blissful moments for Annabelle, so I do my best to pacify Stockton by taking him into the next room, holding him, singing to him, rocking him, etc. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I can't wait until they're both having the times of their lives, screaming together :) Adding a 2nd child brings such added depth, emotion, and love to your family, but being pulled 2 different directions is I feel the most difficult adjustment--wanting to be there completely 100% for BOTH of them at the same time--wanting to sit back and watch Annabelle play, laugh, scream, chase, and interact with friends, yet wanting to be silent with Stockton in my arms, rocking him, and staring at his adorable chubby face until he's asleep. Luckily I get those moments with each of them at different times; it's just tough when those moments present themselves simultaneously! But...back to the party :)

Season and Kenny's pumpkin turned out so great, definitely the BEST pumpkin success of the night! It was such a fun night with friends, and we're so glad they joined us!

Halloween Kickoff!

Happy Halloween! We kicked-off our Halloween festivities with a trip to Gardner Village during the ever-so-popular Wee Witches Weekend. We were so glad Nikki and Liv could join us because A) They are wonderful company and B) Annabelle has double the fun with a friend to play with! Besides the event being craaaazzzzzyyyy busy and PACKED, it was very cute and fun for the girls. The BEST part about this day was that Annabelle decided she wanted to be a witch for Halloween (as long as everyone knew she would be a nice witch). Josh and I were so excited! She had originally decided to be "Wonder in Wonderland" (otherwise known as Alice in Wonderland), and while we were excited for her, and knew how darling she'd be, I think we secretly wanted her to be something a little more different and Halloween-ish. After all, she dresses up as a princess every day around here, and let's face it--Alice doesn't stray too far from that map. Thank goodness for Purple sparkly witch hats, and a good friend willing to share in the witchy fun! Wee Witches Weekend created our little Wee Witch!

Annabelle and Liv

Baby Stocky. How can you not smile when you look at that face?
Me, Josh and Stocky (Annabelle declined a pose with her annoying parents) :)
The hat that inspired it all!

The fun cousin who played along

Annabelle LOVED her face paint, and was so upset when it came off in the bath. Liv chose cute pink and purple spider webs.

Cousins and friends

Not only is he a great dad, but he's an awesome uncle too!

Wee Witches Weekend, 2010

See you next year Witches! Ohhhh...I'll be the one without a stroller. That way, I'll actually be able to move around and go inside a store or two!